Smooth is Fast leadies and gentlemen.
It really is.
That’s why if you want to get faster in karting, one of the most important things you can do is improve how smooth you are with your inputs, especially steering and throttle.
It’s not always about being aggressive. You’ll have to always know and feel what the grip on track is, and adjust your driving accordingly.
Let me break it down for you.
Let’s start by saying that if the track is super grippy, every input will be more sensible because the tyres grips up much more, therefore a really smooth steering is essential.
If instead the track is super slippery, you may need to also be quite smooth, but a bit less, possibly using more steering angle, and being a bit more aggressive on the brakes.
It all comes down to track time and experience, but I’m sure that knowing these rull of thumbs will help.
Smooth Steering = Better Control
In a kart, every movement you make with the steering wheel has a big effect.
A much bigger effect than in GT cars or single seaters, in fact that’s one of the main difference between karting and cars. The steer ratio is so much more sensible and needs far less steeringle angle to get the kart to turn.
Sudden or dirty movements can unsettle the kart and make you lose grip and the racing line.
That’s why being smooth with your hands is crucial.
You want to guide the kart through the corners, not fight it as if you were fighting a bull.
Feel the kart and let it rotate naturally.
Keep your inputs fairly consistent, especially when you’re turning in or correcting mid-corner.
If you’re too dirty, you’ll mess up the balance and overall grip of your kart.
Throttle and Brake: Be Sharp When Needed
Now here’s the important thing, while you should be smooth with the steering, it’s a very different story with the pedals.
When it comes to braking, you’ve got to be aggressive and confident.
Hit the brakes hard and late, especially in race situations.
Same with the throttle — you want to get on it early and aggressively.
That doesn’t mean slamming it with no control too early in the corner. No. But you definitely shouldn’t be gently pressing the brakes as if you had 1200 horse power.
A kart doesn’t have that much acceleration. 60 Mini have got 12 HP and KZ have got 52 HP or so. Yes, while the power/weight ratio is pretty high given their low weight, it still doesn’t provide that much accelleration to require a soft throttle application.
The only time I’d say to ease into the throttle a bit more is when you’re driving in very slippery conditions or with a super powerful kart like a shifter.
In those cases yes, being quite gentle with the gas will help keep traction and reduce wheelspin.
Keep It Balanced
The reason smooth inputs matter so much is weight transfer.
WEIGHT TRANSFER.
If you’re all over the place with your movements, the kart will shift weight unpredictably, and that kills overall grip.
Some tyres will grip up way more than others, unpredictably, and you’ll lose the proper control.
But if you stay calm and smooth with your hands, you’ll keep a more balanced grip between the front and rear tires.
That’s what gives you confidence, control, and ultimately better lap times.
Final Thoughts
So here’s the short version:
👉 Be smooth with your steering.
👉 Be confident (but smart) with your pedals.
👉 Focus on a stable weight transfer.
Just Senndit
– Alessio Lorandi
