The most essential go-karting tips for beginnings!
Go-karting is an exhilarating sport that almost anyone can enjoy. While most of us know what it's like to be behind the wheel of a vehicle, we're never encouraged to drive as fast as we want.
Go-kart racing is the perfect excuse for unleashing your inner speed demon. Racing for the first time can seem daunting, especially when racing with a few mates who've already had their fair share of experience on the track.
To give you the extra edge on your first experience racing, we've prepared a quick guide packed with essential tips for go-karting beginners. We’ll show you how to stay ready, stay safe, and stay ahead!
Book an arrive-and-drive race session to practice your go-karting skills.
Melbourne's most challenging outdoor go-kart track
Our go-kart track captures the excitement of real life racing. And it means you'll race exactly as the racing gods intended – in all conditions. Night or day, rain or shine, we guarantee the most authentic motorsport experience outside the professional world.
1. What to Wear When Go Cart Racing? Wear Comfortable Clothes
It may seem like one of the most obvious tips, but you'd be surprised how many people don’t recognise the importance of appropriate attire when go-karting. If you’re wondering what to wear, we recommend comfortable and practical clothing—nothing too tight or loose.
Tips for What to Wear When Go-Karting:
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Wear comfortable clothing: Avoid tight jeans or excessively baggy items. Sitting for an extended time requires flexibility and ease.
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Footwear matters: Avoid open-toe shoes like sandals or heels. Trainers or runners are the best option for safety and performance.
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Tie up long hair: If you have long hair, secure it properly to avoid hazards.
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Racers to wear helmets: All drivers must wear a helmet, which is provided at the track for your safety.
If you’re wondering what to wear, here’s what’s essential:
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Race suit: Suits are provided at Ace Karts Track, so there is no need to bring your own. They help keep your clothes clean and protect you while driving.
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Racing gloves: Wearing gloves can enhance grip and comfort during your session.
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Avoid jewellery: Remove necklaces, bracelets, and dangling earrings before heading to the track.
What Not to Wear When Go-Karting:
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Loose clothing: It can get caught on equipment, so avoid anything that hangs too much.
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Wearing open-toed shoes is a safety hazard, and our staff will not let you race if you are wearing them.
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Wear fancy dress: While it might seem fun, costumes are not suitable for karting and can pose safety risks.
Final Tips:
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Karters need to wear glasses: If you wear prescription glasses, you can keep them under your helmet.
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Deciding what to wear: Just think practical and wear comfortable items—you’ll enjoy the experience more.
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Karting attire: Whether you’re a seasoned karter or trying it for the first experience, it's a good idea to keep it simple and functional.
By following these guidelines, you’ll have a fun, safe, and unforgettable time on the track!
2. Picking the right go-kart
Picking the suitable go-kart can significantly affect your racing performance and lap times. Here at Ace Karts, you can choose between three different options: the Super Kart, Rookie Kart, and 2Seater Kart.
Which Kart Should You Choose?
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Rookie Kart: Ideal for beginners. This is the best choice if you're learning how to drive a go-kart for the first time. The slower speed helps you focus on developing skills like turning and maneuvering around the track.
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Super Kart: This model is perfect for experienced drivers. Once you're confident handling a kart, upgrade to this faster model for higher speeds and more responsive handling. It's the ultimate karting experience for achieving personal bests.
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2Seater Kart: Great for sharing the fun! Perfect for those who want to ride with a partner or introduce younger drivers to the thrill of karting.
FAQs: What to Wear Go-Karting?
To have the best possible go-karting experience, follow these attire tips:
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Wear shorts or comfortable clothing: Tight or overly loose clothing is not recommended.
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Karting outfit: Racers must wear comfortable clothing that allows for movement and safety.
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Balaclava: This is provided for hygiene and comfort when wearing helmets.
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Closed-toe shoes only: Open-toe footwear is not allowed on the track.
Safety and Track Rules
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Racers must meet safety requirements to ensure a smooth and enjoyable session.
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All karts are maintained to the highest standards for a safe karting track experience.
If you have any questions about your karting experience or need clarification on what to bring going go-karting, feel free to contact us! We're here to help make your day at Ace Karts unforgettable.
3. Driving in the correct position
How you position yourself in a go-kart can affect your driving performance. Proper positioning is essential for both comfort and control during your go-karting experience.
Tips for Proper Positioning in a Go-Kart:
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Reach the pedals comfortably: Ensure you can easily access the brake and accelerator pedals without overextending.
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Leg position: Your legs should be slightly bent when reaching the pedals for optimal control.
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Steering wheel access: You should be able to reach the wheel without leaning forward. Adjust your seat position to maintain a relaxed and effective posture.
When going go-karting, how you grip the steering wheel also impacts your ability to navigate sharp turns.
Rookie Kart
Are you starting your racing journey? Our Rookie Kart is ideal for beginners, offering safe speeds and easy handling for ages 6-11. It’s the perfect way to introduce kids to the excitement of go-karting, with plenty of fun around every corner.
40km/h
Easy steering for beginners
2Seater Kart
For young racers not quite ready to drive solo, our 2Seater Kart is the perfect solution. Share the excitement with an adult in our double karts while enjoying our popular track's smooth handling and mid-speed thrills.
55km/h
Easy and comfortable
Super Kart
Our Super Kart is perfect for thrill-seekers who love high-speed fun. With a finely-tuned Honda engine and highly responsive handling, it's designed for those ready to test their limits on our technical turns and wide and twisty track.
75km/h
Highly responsive
Steering Wheel Tips:
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Correct grip: Hold the wheel at a quarter-to-three position. This grip provides more precise control and helps you react quickly during racing turns.
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Faster reaction times: A good grip and a comfortable position allow you to navigate the track efficiently.
Safety and Attire Guidelines:
To ensure the safety of everyone on the track:
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Racers are to wear comfortable clothing that allows ease of movement and complies with ISO standards for motorsport activities.
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Avoid loose or restrictive clothing, and always wear the proper attire for racing.
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A fun activity for all: Whether it’s a casual day or a stag or hen event, proper attire is critical to being able to race.
Why Proper Positioning Matters:
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Safety reasons: Incorrect posture can compromise your control of the kart, increasing risks on the track.
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Go-karting to ensure a safe and thrilling experience means following these essential positioning tips.
Ace Karts is committed to delivering a safe and enjoyable experience so you can focus on having fun while improving your skills.
4. Practice with the pedals
Before the initial race with your friends or corporate team, we recommend taking a few practice laps to get used to the kart's handling. This helps prepare you for the next race and gives you a better chance of crossing the chequered flag first!
Practice Tips Before You Start Racing:
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Get familiar with the pedals: Practice pressing them down to understand their sensitivity. Just remember—the last thing you want is to press the brake and accelerator simultaneously!
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Understand braking: Unlike a car, the brakes on a kart only work on the rear wheels.
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Brake hard when approaching a corner.
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Gradually release the brake as you approach the apex, and then accelerate smoothly out of the turn.
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Take a walk before joining us: Walking around the circuit beforehand can help you familiarise yourself with its layout and key turns.
What to Wear When Karting:
To fully enjoy the experience and perform well:
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Wear comfortable clothing, such as tracksuit bottoms, for ease of movement.
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Avoid loose items of clothing that could interfere with the safety or handling of the kart.
Why Practice Laps are Important:
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Help you and your team building group get a feel for the track and kart controls.
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Improve confidence and racing skills for a smoother experience.
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Make the competition more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Whether racing with friends or a corporate team, these steps will ensure you have a blast and are ready to tackle the track confidently!
5. Picking up speed
Like any keen rev-head, you'll want to reach top speed with your kart to start passing your fellow racers. Your go-karting experience can be significantly enhanced by mastering the art of maintaining speed and control.
Tips for Reaching Top Speed:
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Drive in a straight line: The more time you drive straight, the more chances you have to reach your kart's top speed.
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Avoid unnecessary braking, turning, or skidding, as these actions reduce your kart's speed.
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Master approaching the apex:
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Position yourself on the outside of the track as you approach a turn.
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Apply the brakes before reaching the apex and accelerate smoothly as you exit the turn.
Safety Gear for Go Karting:
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Full-face helmet: A safety helmet protects your head and face during the race.
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What to wear when go-karting: Wear snug clothing that won’t get in your way while handling the kart.
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Everything you need for safety and comfort, including helmets and gear, is provided at Ace Karts.
Why Practice is Important:
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Go-karting to ensure a fun and safe experience for all.
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Mastering techniques will maximise your speed and enjoy a smoother race.
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Whether you go karting with friends or family, these tips are perfect for people of all ages.
At Ace Karts, our electric karts and traditional models are designed to give you an unforgettable go-karting experience. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, these strategies will help you make the most of your time on the track!
6. Avoid drifting
While it might look excellent, drifting can significantly slow you down on the track. It will decrease your momentum. Drifting is commonly caused by braking during a turn. So focus on braking more before a turn.
Drifting can also signal that you're turning into a corner too sharply. When learning to drive a go-kart, resist the urge to pull off a sharp turn at every corner.
Sharp turns can cause you to slide out wide when exiting a corner. Focus on gradually turning your wheel when you hit the apex of a turn. Aim for the outside of the track when you exit a turn, and you won't have the urge to turn so sharply.
7. Navigating around drivers
Try and keep a fair distance between you and other drivers on the track. Every bump can significantly slow you down. The same goes for any quick adjustments to avoid crashing into drivers. Swerving away from drivers can interrupt a perfect approach to a turn.
Try your best to focus on your driving. It's very easy to get distracted by rival drivers, who can put you off your own rhythm. Focus on perfecting your approaches to turns, and you'll naturally start catching up to your opponents.
When you become more confident in your driving, it can be beneficial to note where other drivers pass you on the track. If they always pass you on a right-angle turn, it could be a sign that you must improve your approach.
8. Look ahead
Learning how to drive a go-kart for the first time can be daunting. Driving so low to the ground can make it feel like you're driving twice as fast. A common mistake beginners make is looking only a few metres ahead of their kart.
When you're only looking a few metres ahead, you significantly reduce your vision of the track before you. Your brain needs more time to process the track ahead of you to prepare for the next manoeuvre.
Focus on looking at least one stage ahead of where you are. So when you're at the apex, you should already be looking at the exit of the turn. When exiting a turn, you should look for the next turn.
Practice your moves at Ace Karts
Learning how to drive a go-kart is simple and exciting at a top-notch facility. At Ace Karts, we provide a full racing experience with high-quality safety equipment and guidance from our professional track staff.
INTERESTED IN Parties and events at Ace Karts?
Our race track is designed to challenge and thrill. It features a series of bends that gradually intensify, offering a real-life racing experience. It’s the perfect opportunity to hone your cornering skills and build confidence behind the wheel. The final section of the track boasts an impressive 105-metre straight, letting you push your kart to its maximum speed.
Organising a racing session with your mates is effortless. Just share our Facebook page and tag the friends you want to invite. Once you've sorted your group, book your exclusive race session and get ready to learn how to drive a go-kart in a fun and competitive environment.
Book your exclusive race session today and experience the thrill of karting with your mates!