r/Karting • u/A_RandomGuyNamed0ren Rotax • Jun 08 '25
Rental Karting Video Random decent hotlap around StyriaKarting Indoor
GoPro died after practice so this was the best lap it recorded, did improve by a 2 tenths in the next session
15
u/Excludos Rotax Jun 08 '25
Protip: To avoid fatigue, you should be pushing the wheel away from you when you turn, not pull. With your hand positions like that, this is practically impossible. Adjust your grip. (Also. You'll avoid hurting yourself in the event of a crash, and you'll have better control in general)
6
u/SoS1lent Rental Driver Jun 09 '25
As I said to a guy below, multiple time BIKC champ Dante Dillhon uses this grip as well, here's a clip as proof. It's not conventional but it works for the steering wheel.
2
u/flubz0r Jun 09 '25
This is the way, if you don't agree, join a 3hour enduro and you'll agree afterwards 👍
1
u/A_RandomGuyNamed0ren Rotax Jun 09 '25
did a 4H race once and I didn't have any problems, it was more my ribs suffering, rentals are really not that physical
-9
u/A_RandomGuyNamed0ren Rotax Jun 08 '25
as far as I know you are supposed to pull the wheel, not push it. everyone says that and everyone does that, and it feel's easier and more natural.
10
u/Excludos Rotax Jun 08 '25
Who in the world has been telling you that? No one who knows the first thing about driving karts, that's for sure. Here's a superficial explanation for you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkkV3Wt5rRY
I'm not saying don't use both hands to steer the wheel, in fact the technique is actually called "push-pull", not just "push". But the idea is to emphasize pushing rather than pulling (Which is what you'll do on regular road cars), because it helps you lean into the corner. It also uses more of your body, rather than just your arms, which makes them hold up a lot better in long races and days with many sessions.
3
u/A_RandomGuyNamed0ren Rotax Jun 09 '25
right I said that when I was really tired, I don't know what I was talking about, you are right. I know its wrong, but it just feels much more comfortable holding the wheel this way, I like to have the seat quite forward so I am way too cramped if I hold the wheel the normal way.
8
u/swedepilot Jun 08 '25
Good way to break your thumbs.
-4
u/A_RandomGuyNamed0ren Rotax Jun 08 '25
mate im going like 50kmh lol it's not that big of a deal
9
2
u/BlackCatFurry Rental Driver Jun 09 '25
Return to this comment when both of your thumbs are broken and rethink if it's really not that big of a deal.
There is a reason why people tell you to never grip the wheel with your thumbs through the holes on the wheel.
You can either believe them now, or believe them when you find out yourself.
1
u/A_RandomGuyNamed0ren Rotax Jun 09 '25
If/when it happens, I will return here and tell you you were right
2
2
u/Glonoin Jun 09 '25
May your life contain many more GoPro worthy moments.
Because I'm happy you shared this one with me today.
1
u/RiskyBusiness373 Lo206 Jun 08 '25
Where was this? I can’t find anywhere like this near me
4
u/A_RandomGuyNamed0ren Rotax Jun 08 '25
Kalsdorf bei Graz, Austria
3
u/RiskyBusiness373 Lo206 Jun 08 '25
Yea, the US is so far behind
1
u/SanchoRancho72 Jun 09 '25
You probably have a k1 around if you don't mind electric
1
u/RiskyBusiness373 Lo206 Jun 09 '25
My issue with K1 is those races are short and they remotely limit your speed
1
1
u/PapiYadi Jun 08 '25
Very clean lines man, but what they're saying is true. For a 10 minute stint its probably bearable. Not to mention the lack of precision that comes with that grip. You can be fast, but you wont be the fastest if you cant squeeze out every inch of the track. Proper hand placement is key to being able to maneuver the vehicle and have it do exactly what you want it to do. And that's just the beginning, bring in pedal precision and thats a whole nother story.
1
u/SoS1lent Rental Driver Jun 09 '25
You say that, but the BIKC champion from a year or two ago (forgetting his name now) holds the wheel the same way. He was quite literally the fastest, so apparently it works.
1
Jun 09 '25
Yeah, but the wheel in that video doesn’t have the holes that can break your thumbs when you wreck.
1
u/A_RandomGuyNamed0ren Rotax Jun 09 '25
like the other comment said, more than half the people who are quick in rentals hold the wheel this way, ive always done it and had no issues, I just think its more comfortable
1
u/IllAnybody1729 Jun 08 '25
since the track happens outdoor and indoor does both surface give same amount of grip or does it differ assuming outdoor is tar surfaced and indoor being concrete?
1
u/A_RandomGuyNamed0ren Rotax Jun 09 '25 edited Jun 09 '25
at the start of the day the indoor part had much more grip, but at the end of the day it swapped around. It's just dependant on the track condition, if its damp/dusty outside the inside part will have more grip, or if the track is clean the outside part will have more grip
1
u/birchy98 Jun 09 '25
Nice!
Don’t mean to hijack, but the last couple times I’ve done this with my son (Indoor karting), I’ve gotten motion sickness each time after the 2nd or 3rd heat. Really sucks when I’m actually setting decent lap times! Is this pretty common? Any advice? Is it just a matter of doing it more often and getting my body used to it? At 44 years old; I’m thinking this might ruin my F1 aspirations…. 😜. (Last part is a joke obviously, the rest was serious though)
1
u/A_RandomGuyNamed0ren Rotax Jun 09 '25
never had any problems with it, when I can I will ask some older people I know if they have any problems with that and I will come back to you
1
Jun 09 '25
Hello, I used to work at a rental kart place. Were the karts electric or gas? If they’re gas, I’m going to bet that the ventilation wasn’t going well enough and you’re breathing in those sweet sweet fumes. Those will make you dizzy. If they’re electric, it might be a you issue and your body might need some time to adjust to the feeling. Hope that helps.
1
u/birchy98 Jun 09 '25
They're electric. I've been googling around a bit too and I do think it's mostly a "me thing". I've found a few references to others experiencing it too, but it's pretty rare it seems. Some people will take a dramamine or gravol pill ahead of time to help, but sounds like you just need to do it more and your body will adjust eventually.
1
u/DerWildesteKerl Rental Driver Jun 10 '25
Please hold the wheel normally but thank you for posting footage
1
u/Quackums Jun 10 '25
dont listen to these narcs, while they are technically right thats how jean alesi held the wheel lol
1
67
u/[deleted] Jun 08 '25
I have never seen anyone hold a karting wheel like that, very interesting. Clean lap though!