Went Karting

[Skippy]

I'm on travel right now and have a free weekend in San Diego. There's an indoor karting place not too far from where I'm staying, so I finally gave it a try today. I probably should have done it about 30 years ago.

The course is tight enough that the exit to most corners is also the setup for the next corner. Also, I wasn't expecting anywhere near the lateral grip that these things have. Brake feel was next to nonexistent, and anything more than a dab of brake while cornering makes the tail try to come around on you. Luckily not much braking is needed during a lap unless someone has an oops in front of you. My goals were to not get black flagged, not bin it, and not be last. I finished 10th of 12 despite being the only first time racer on the track. I decided one heat was enough for today, but I'll be back tomorrow for the three race special.

[iwrock]

Next time I'm up in your area, you should take my Miata for a spin.

Think "street legal" go-kart.

[Skippy]

That could be fun.

[MTI]

The indoor electric carts spool up so fast and given the low seating position, the speed effect is multiplied. The advantage of having tire lined courses is that encourages some interesting passing at hairpins.

[SwampYankee]

We went to an indoor kart track as a group outing last year for a trade group we belong to. It was a blast! I hadn't been since I was a kid, and those old, smelly lawn mower powered ones paled in every comparison to the electric ones we used this time.

Sadly, my extra 70 lbs.+ over everyone else in our group (and also not an ideal fit for guys over 6') really put those traction limits to the test. I finished mid-pack, not too bad given my "handicap".

[t walgamuth]

There's a place in Indy where they have seriously fast Karts on the northeast side of town. Its indoor. The track is fairly interesting but having run there a few times I don't feel its really safe enough to do it again. there is a turn where it is on steel which is nearly as slick as ice. If you don't take the right line you'll slide into the guardrail heavily. Last time I ran there I was in the perfect line and a fellow dove inside me and nerfed me heavily into the guardrail. Afterwards I noticed I had a bruise along my left side as big as my theigh where the wrap around seat was. Another time I brushed the wall with my arm on the outside of the corner where a piece of plywood was sticking out where it should not have been. If not for safety issues I'd run there a lot.

I heard a person was killed there a few years ago too.

[Angel]

TW- My company (still) has an office in Plainfield, IN. I pass through Indy very often...Where/name is this karting place in Indy ?....it sounds like a lot of fun if the other people arent out to get you (?)

-John

[t walgamuth]

Its just north of 465 I believe its behind Tom Wood Toyota off 96th st.

Its the fastest karts place I've seen by far.

[Skippy]

I went back yesterday and found time to go again today. I was able to win three races and get my lap times somewhat consistently into the mid 24's. The best laps of the month are all in the 21's, so I was leaving about three seconds on the track. I have an idea which corners I was losing time on, but couldn't figure out what to do about it. I did a lap in 23.5 yesterday by following somebody faster than me and just doing what they did. I probably won't be back to this track any time soon, but there's a similar type place in Reno.

[t walgamuth]

Good clean fun!

[Skippy]

And easier than trying to get a 32 year old W123 to pass tech for autocross.

[t walgamuth]

Passing tech is usually not the problem. lack of quickness is a problem though. I used to autocross my 84 280e euro though. It was good enough to gain experience and beat the occasional duffers.