Crashing in karts can be relatively scary – the driver has very little protection. Meaning the consequences of a high-speed collision are more up to the standards of the barrier, but also the driver’s posture.

Sensation of Crashing

The feeling of coming to a sudden standstill at high speed puts a lot of stress on the body. The chassis will take the biggest hit, but the driver withholds a lot of potential energy that can then release. Any chances to soften the impact will remain until the driver becomes a passenger while aquaplaning or after a mechanical failure. As long as the driver has time to prepare for an impact, the chances of hurting themselves decline. Sudden collisions are the worse option that often cannot be avoided.

Severity of Impact

The volume of the chain reaction after the crash depends on the level of severity. In worse cases, the driver will fly out of the kart, or get stuck between objects. The consequences of the crash derive from the speed, the direction of the kart, but also the characteristics of the hit object.

The driver is least protected when crashing head on. The sturdiness of the kart is the strongest in that direction, meaning the impact will dampen the least. This will take the most tall on the driver’s body. In worse cases, the driver may fling into the steering wheel, causing a hit on the head or ribcage.

The driver should always turn the side or rear of the kart in the moving direction. This not only kills more speed but prevents driver from hitting the steering wheel on impact. The side pods and rear bumper soften the impact more with a lot less damage to the kart.

How to Prepare for Crashing

When collected in an inevitable crash, the driver should keep their limbs close to the body. This minimises the release of energy on impact, preventing weaker body parts from getting badly hurt. Crouching the upper body to the front will prepare the back and prevent the spine from getting hurt on impact. Avoid a tense stance and curvage on the lower back. Keep your hands on the steering for as long as possible to avoid flinging forward, but be aware of head-on collisions, when it may be more beneficial to let go of the steering to save the hands.