JOINDriving karts in cold conditions may come naturally for European drivers but is not so common in warmer climates. Quick response to cold temperatures can result even in seconds of lap time gained at the beginning of the session. Let’s discuss how to adjust your driving and the kart to cold winter conditions.
1. Heating Up Tyres for Driving in Cold Conditions
Photo: EAL
Aggressive Tyre Warming
In cold conditions, tyres take longer to heat up, which means reduced grip initially. Contrary to warm conditions where tyres heat up quickly, colder weather requires more aggressive driving to generate heat. This often involves weaving on straights or braking harder to increase tyre temperatures.
Leaning & Weight Distribution
Unlike in hot weather, where we minimise body movement in the kart, leaning may benefit tyre warming in the cold. Shifting body weight to increase friction in the tyres can play a key role to heat them up faster. This technique may become irreplaceable in case of just a single formation lap before the race start.
2. Driving Techniques in Cold Weather Conditions
Smooth Driving Style
Easing the kart into the cold rubber is not so easy when initially lacking grip. Drivers that can make lower tyre pressures work without overheating the tyre surface will be the fastest. Smoothness is important to get the benefit of both – heating up early and maintaining tyre temps. Early aggressive laps must turn into a smooth flow once the tyres have reached working temperature to last till the end. This prevents overdriving and driving mistakes.
Braking Techniques
Reduced grip teaches drivers to modulate brakes to prevent lock-ups, especially when entering the track. Practice trail braking, which involves gradually releasing the brake as you approach the corner’s apex. The importance of trail braking until the apex smoothly is enhanced by the lack of friction from the rubber. This is in contrast to warmer conditions, where grip is more predictable, allowing for more aggressive braking.
3. Setup Tweaks for Driving in the Cold
Photo: BRP Rotax
Chassis Setup
Cold weather affects the surface of the track and also the tyres. You might need to revert to a more aggressive setup to gain more grip. Consider increasing toe-out, more caster or using harder axles to enhance grip. This can improve karts responsiveness and stability. In contrast, warmer conditions often require a softer setup to manage overheating and excessive grip.
Engine Setup
In an oxygen-rich cold air, the engine can work more efficiently. Ensure the carburetor is adjusted correctly to compensate for denser cold air, which can affect fuel mixture. In case of higher oxygen levels, what does the engine need to produce more power? More fuel! Enrich the mixture to prevent lean running, a scenario less prevalent in warm weather, where the air density is lower.
In summary, driving fast in cold conditions requires thoughtful adjustments to both your kart setup and driving approach. The key differences from warm conditions include managing tyre temperature, adjusting kart tuning, and refining driving techniques. By focusing on these elements, you can harness the cold to your advantage, ensuring competitive lap times from lap 1. If you’re interested in improving your driving first hand, consider exploring KartletiX programs to race for wins in summer or winter.
