Kart Class
71 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★★ - 2 ratingsKart Class is hosted by 18 x Australian Champion David Sera.
With over 25 years' experience in the sport, Sera provides an insight into the latest news from the world of karting, expert tips that will see you improve your lap-times & kart setup information to make better adjustments to your kart.
To learn more about kart racing check out our online digital courses at www.kartclass.com
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Episodes
How to be Consistent
February 09, 2024 04:00 - 4 minutes - 3.49 MBWinning races comes down to being fast, but also being consistent. That might mean stringing 10 laps in a row within 1 tenth of a second. What this does is, by making less mistakes, chasing drivers will find it harder to overtake and beat you. Consistency means finding the same markings around the track and aiming to hit these points lap after lap. Drivers should be looking out for landmarks around the circuit and not using a shadow as this will change from lap-to-lap and session to sessi...
How to Overtake
February 09, 2024 04:00 - 5 minutes - 3.92 MBMotor Racing is all about driving fast and trying to beat your competition. But sometimes that means we need to overtake our competitors to get in-front and win the race. Nerves, confidence and choosing the right corners are all important when it comes to learning how to overtake other drivers. Setting up a pass so that the driver doesn't get you back the following turn or switch you back on the exit. We try providing tips and techniques to listeners to make efficient overtakes and stay ...
Go Kart Rear Axle Setup
December 14, 2023 02:00 - 4 minutes - 3.3 MBToday we're discussing go-kart rear axles. When it comes to motor racing, cars have suspension. So karting is different because the rear axle acts like a suspension. It might flex a little bit here and there depending on the stiffness of the axle, but realistically it doesn't spring like suspension does. So, it's important to use it as a tuning tool depending on the conditions that you are driving in. You might find if it's 15 degrees or it's 35 degrees, you might have to use a different a...
How to Kart in the Rain
November 20, 2023 23:00 - 5 minutes - 3.79 MBToday we're going to be discussing how to go-kart in the rain. Now, for most of us, we tend to want to drive as it’s easier. When you drive in the rain, things are going to wear out quicker; engines, tires, cleaning the kart, that takes more time. The chances of spinning out are more evident with the wet weather, but let's face it, motor racing is driven in all conditions. So, we need to learn how to drive in all conditions so that we can be prepared for all weather conditions. When it come...
How to find the final second of Lap Time
November 02, 2023 02:00 - 5 minutes - 3.74 MBToday we're going to be discussing how to find the last one second in kart racing. Now, it can be quite frustrating as you're starting out in karting and you're picking off one to two seconds at a time because you're just starting out and it all seems a little bit too easy. You're like, oh, how good's this going? My times are dropping. Then it comes down to that last second, and it's extremely hard to put it all together to get onto that front pack. Now, it can be tricky, but we want to ...
Learning new Race Tracks
November 01, 2023 23:00 - 3 minutes - 2.51 MBLet’s look at why it’s so important to not just drive at the one circuit. For some people, they don't have the luxury of having a circuit close to them. So, they might have to travel one or two hours away and be forced to just drive at the one circuit. If you are fortunate enough to have a couple of circuits within a reasonable drive, we want to look at the key advantages of experiencing new circuits. The first advantage is you can get stuck in a rut by just being at the one circuit. Now...
Negative vs Positive Camber
November 01, 2023 23:00 - 4 minutes - 3.34 MBLet’s look at when to use positive or negative camber in kart racing. Now the first thing is what is camber? That's changing the angle of the tire. As you are looking at it from a top-down point of view, if you've got the tires pointing towards the inside of the kart, that's going to be negative camber. If they're pointing towards the outside of the kart, it's going to be positive camber. What we see with racing cars is, they've got suspension, so you're going to notice their tires are...
How to get a good race start
September 08, 2023 21:00 - 7 minutes - 4.98 MBLet's be honest. It's all good qualifying up the front, but if you aren't good at the race starts, then it's all a waste of time. There's different techniques drivers can use to get a better launch, this then gives the driver an opportunity to pass a few drivers. Then working out whether the inside, or outside (more risky) line is going to be best depending on your position and risk factor. Let's dive into this episode of how to get a good race start. To learn more about what Home – Kart...
Wet Weather Driving Tips
August 11, 2023 00:00 - 6 minutes - 4.86 MBIn motor racing, driving in the wet conditions can be more difficult than driving in the dry conditions. Wheel spin, limited grip, understeer, are all factors that are exaggerated in the rain. For drivers though, they need to learn how to adapt to all conditions so that on race day, they are ready for whatever challenge is thrown at them. In this episode, we try explaining three basic tips that can give your driver more confidence in the rain, to improve their lap times, and move up a few...
Practice makes Permanent
August 11, 2023 00:00 - 7 minutes - 4.9 MBLet’s discuss how some drivers can dominate on a practice day, but then can't translate that onto a race day. We see in practice sometimes, kids setting the fastest laps they've ever set. Two days later, or a couple of weeks later, get to race day and suddenly, they're 0.4, maybe even up to one second off the pace they were driving the weekend before. How's that possible and what changes sometimes from a practice day to a race day? The first thing we're going to be discussing is pressure...
Creating a Winning Mindset
June 09, 2023 02:00 - 8 minutes - 5.63 MBWe pay a lot of money for our race tires, and we pay a lot of money to get a good engine. We buy brand new go-karts, and we still find ourselves finishing in the middle of the pack. We're now wondering to ourselves, "Well, we've got all the equipment, we are getting coaching, and we still can't move up the pack. What can it be?" Well, a lot of it comes down to the mindset, how we are thinking, what we're stressing about, what we're confident in, and the drivers that we might be nervous when...
How to manage your Kart Tyres
June 08, 2023 04:00 - 7 minutes - 5.28 MBTire management is something drivers don’t always think about, but it plays a big role in the results. Now a lot is determined by how hard or how soft the compound of tire that you're driving on. It also has a lot to do with the track surface itself, so whether it's abrasive or it's a smooth surface and the temperature of the day does have a bit to play with how tires are going to wear. The first thing we're going to try and look at with tire management is that drivers need to understand th...
How to use Data Analysis
June 08, 2023 04:00 - 8 minutes - 5.63 MBWe discuss the pros and cons of data analysis in this podcast. Now, technologies improved a lot over the last five, 10 years, and when I was winning all my races in the 2005, 2015 era, we didn't really look a lot into data analysis. It just wasn't something that technology was up to scratch with. So nowadays when you're looking at, whether it's a Mychron unit, or Starline, Alfano, Motech for racing cars, the amount of knowledge that that computer system can gain from your driving is incredi...
Top 3 Mistakes Beginners Make in Karting
May 15, 2023 23:00 - 11 minutes - 7.87 MBWhen we’re starting out in karting, it’s daunting! We’ve got no idea what’s going on, what do we buy, what pressures do we use and how and where do we drive on the racetrack? I’ve covered the 3 biggest mistakes that beginners make when they enter karting. Time and time again, drivers don't realise they are making mistakes, so with bad repetition, these mistakes become habits and are hard to shake! Hopefully this advice enables you to learn quicker and make good progress. If you're makin...
AKC Round 2 Wrap Up from Wanneroo, WA
April 27, 2023 10:00 - 8 minutes - 5.77 MBThe second round of the Australian Kart Championships took place at the Tiger Kart Club in Wanneroo, Western Australia this past weekend. It was the first time a Western Australian circuit has held a round of the AKC since it moved to a five-round championship, and the first at Tiger Kart Club since 2005. For a lot of competitors, the 6,000km + road trip was a new experience across the Nullabor, and thankfully from all reports all teams came out unscathed. We look at the event, how it was...
USA Track Review - Atlanta Motorsports Park
April 27, 2023 00:00 - 7 minutes - 4.95 MBThe next circuit we’re looking at in our USA Track review is Atlanta Motor Sports Park in Dawson, Georgia. So the track itself is a private club and it shares the facility with a car racing track. So, it's not something that you can just rock up with your car in the back of a truck or a van and just go and drive the facility. You must be a member, which I think costs around $2,000 - 3,000 for the year. A little bit more expensive than most of the facilities that we'll be discussing on our as...
USA Track Review - New Castle Motorsports Park
April 26, 2023 04:00 - 5 minutes - 4.01 MBWe're going to try and do a miniseries & talk about some USA kart tracks that we recently toured on a road trip. How to get involved in some of these different facilities around the country, but also just giving it a review on what we thought it was like driving at these places, who we drove for when we leased the kart packages, and a general sense on what it's like to race at these tracks. The first track that we are going to be talking about is New Castle Motor Sports Park in Indianapol...
USA Track Review - Go Pro Motorplex
April 26, 2023 04:00 - 7 minutes - 5.52 MBThe next track we are reviewing is the GoPro Motorplex Circuit in Charlotte, North Carolina. The facility is world-class with state-of-the-art lighting allowing this circuit to be used all day and into the evening. With motor racing being such a big part of the town, it’s common to see Indy Car, Nascar and Sprint Car drivers on track during the week honing their skills. Drivers such as Will Power, Scott Mclaughlin, Jimmie Johnson, and Kyle Larson have been present on practice days which is s...
Which country produces the fastest racing drivers?
February 21, 2023 22:00 - 9 minutes - 6.27 MBWhen it comes to Motor Racing, there is a lot of countries represented in all categories. But which countries produce the fastest drivers consistently? Formula 1 has drivers from North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, and we know Italy is the home to most of the major karting manufacturers. But what makes these racing drivers so good? Is it the conditions they drive in? The competition they're up against? The tyres they drive on? There's a host of reasons that some countries excel more...
How to deal with Pressure
August 22, 2022 23:00 - 7 minutes - 5.14 MBAny sporting competition entails dealing with pressure & karting is no different. But how drivers can cope when others are on their bumper and concentrate on their own driving is what sets apart the good & great drivers. It's all good and well having the best equipment, but it's your mindset that can propel you to the top constantly. The other challenge is handling your parents, mechanics or coaches emotions after an on track session. Sometimes this can be a burden on drivers as the consta...
What Brake Technique should I use?
August 10, 2022 00:00 - 6 minutes - 4.79 MBIn motor racing, engines play a big part to a drivers lap time. But the other area that's often overlooked, is the braking zone! How fast a driver can go from their maximum speed to their minimum speed, not over-slowing the kart and overtaking your opposition, means the braking zones are super important. In this episode we discuss a couple of techniques a drivers can test to see what works best for their class the next time on track. Karts with lower horsepower don't need as much braking,...
Why do drivers look behind?!
May 02, 2022 23:00 - 8 minutes - 5.9 MBAs a parent or mechanic, seeing your driver constantly look over their shoulder is infuriating! You think to yourself, "just concentrate on what's in front of you, don't worry about what's behind you!". So in this episode, I wanted to chat about why drivers tend to look behind, what they can do to avoid it or at least give some tips & advice on when it's safe or necessary to do so. I still get annoyed when I see my drivers looking behind, even after years of coaching & advice, so I hope th...
Carburettor Settings on a Kart
April 26, 2022 03:00 - 6 minutes - 4.59 MBTo get the most potential from your kart, you need your engine on song. That's why understanding your carburettor and the correct settings can extract that last bit of potential. The first six letters in Motorsport spell Motor, so we know we need good performance to be competitive. This episode is trying to teach drivers and mechanics the understanding of a lean or rich carby and how to best tune their engines. With more technology available to drivers these days, mechanics are able to dow...
Does Natural Ability Exist?
April 08, 2022 01:00 - 8 minutes - 5.59 MBWhen it comes to driving, does talent get you further up the grid, or will hard work prevail? Having coached over a 1000 different drivers in the past 12 years of my business, I have seen some extremely talented drivers. Whilst other drivers take longer to pick things up & as a result may take 12 months to get up to speed. So does having a natural talent make you better or can all drivers achieve similar results on the back of dedication, asking questions and the will to learn? As I look ...
Should I start with a new or 2nd hand kart?
March 30, 2022 22:00 - 6 minutes - 4.42 MBMotor Racing can be expensive, so working out where to best spend your money is important when starting out. On this podcast episode, we look at the pros & cons when it comes to buying a new or second hand kart. Is it better to save your budget & start second hand, or is it safer as you know what you're getting from a new package. I try enlighten both sides of the equation to give karting drivers options when looking at their next package. This is a must for anyone looking to get started ...
General Karting Tips. How to improve your driving!
March 22, 2022 22:00 - 9 minutes - 6.8 MBYou go to the race track, listen to every Tom, Dick & Harry and get completely lost on what to do. You watch other parents changing axles, engines, tyre pressure and wonder if you just leaving the kart alone is a detriment. Sometimes, leaving it quite basic will reap rewards and you don't get lost. On this podcast episode, we look at general karting tips to help improve your on track performance. There isn't one thing that will get you to the front of a kart race. It's a combination of dri...
First time driving a kart? What to do!
March 07, 2022 22:00 - 11 minutes - 7.63 MBSo you've watched Formula 1 or Supercars and wondered how those racing drivers got started in their career? Well 98% of those drivers first got involved in motorsport through kart racing, where they can hone their skills and learn the fundamentals. On this podcast episode, we look at driving a go kart for the first time. What drivers should look out for, how to approach the first session or two and how they can improve their driving from the side lines. This is a must for anyone looking t...
Oscar Piastri - Australia's Next F1 Driver?
November 17, 2021 21:00 - 26 minutes - 18 MBOn this episode of our Kart Class Podcast, we chat to recently signed Alpine F1 Reserve Driver Oscar Piastri. Oscar started his motor racing dream at a remote control car facility at the age of 8, before stepping into a race kart at 10. Piastri grew up honing his skills at the Oakleigh Racing Club before venturing to Europe at 14 to race in the European Karting scene with the Ricky Flynn Motorsports team. Since his progression from karts to cars, Piastri has been a driver on a mission winn...
Indy Car Champion Will Power
November 10, 2021 06:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBThe first guest on our Kart Class podcast is none other than 2014 IndyCar Series Champion & 2018 Indy 500 winner Will Power. The Penske racer has recently formed his own karting brand with support from Kart Republic and still competes in major karting races when his racing schedule allows, so it was great to be able to chat to Will about what it takes to successfully move from karts & step into a race car. We also discuss the reasons he started the WPK brand, his recent kart races, & how t...
Benefits of a Coach
September 21, 2021 08:00 - 7 minutes - 5.32 MBNo matter what sport you are in, coaches are available to athletes to help guide them from their own experiences. On this podcast episode, we look at the benefits of having a coach for your karting career & how they can actually help you. For some drivers this will be in the form of a driving aspect, others might benefit from the technical nuance a coach has. If we look at athletes that still use coaches to benefit their own ability, we need to look no further than Roger Federer, Tom Brad...
Rental Karting Tips
August 31, 2021 06:00 - 7 minutes - 5.46 MBOur host 18 x Australian Champion David Sera discusses rental karting, as we know that some drivers treat it more seriously than just a social event with their friends. Rental karts aren't the same as racing karts; they're heavier, have likely being involved in incidents previous to your session, don't have setup adjustments and the tyre quality always changes from kart to kart. The thing is, that with some basic racing knowledge drivers can still overcome the differences in karts to be co...
Kart Setup Sheets
August 23, 2021 01:00 - 6 minutes - 4.48 MBOur host 18 x Australian Champion David Sera discusses the importance of creating or having a setup sheet to fill in your notes at the kart track. So many times we go to the track, make adjustments then forget about what has worked and what didn't. I can recall on many occasions where I raced at a track 12 months apart yet still looked back to my notes to give myself a baseline to start with. This might be gear ratio, temperature of the day and also tyre pressures. With many race events th...
The different engines in Kart Racing
August 16, 2021 01:00 - 8 minutes - 5.92 MBOur host 18 x Australian Champion David Sera looks at the different engine types available to drivers in kart racing. As karting allows drivers of all ages and sizes to compete, we look into what engine is best suited to you, whether that be the entry level 4-stroke engine, or the 6-speed gearbox engine that can reach speeds in excess of 160km/h! We discuss the different manufacturers that produce engines, the Horsepower and the age brackets so you know what to look for when choosing your...
What age can I start karting?
August 09, 2021 00:00 - 6 minutes - 4.27 MBOur host 18 x Australian Champion David Sera looks at the starting age kids can get involved in kart racing. Now we know this is where the majority of the current Formula 1, Indy Car, Supercars and Open Wheel drivers started their career, so we wanted to dive into why it's good to start early, but if you can't, you still have time to pick things up. If you've enjoyed this episode of Kart Class, be sure to click subscribe and leave us a review. Kart Class offers karting drivers advanced di...
Bad habits in karting
August 02, 2021 05:00 - 8 minutes - 5.96 MBOur host 18 x Australian Champion David Sera looks at some of the bad habits drivers get into in kart racing. By minimising these mistakes from the beginning, drivers will be able to progress faster. It's all about identifying them yourself, so you can improve in these areas. Riding the brakes, looking behind constantly and not blaming the equipment constantly will fast track your development. If you've enjoyed this episode of Kart Class, be sure to click subscribe and leave us a review. ...
Karting on a Budget
July 27, 2021 11:00 - 8 minutes - 5.67 MBOur host 18 x Australian Champion David Sera looks into ways people getting into the sport of kart racing can find themselves a deal and cut some costs. As we know motor racing can be expensive and kart racing is the bottom of the ladder, so trying to find a good deal on a kart package, or knowing what race gear to splurge on compared to which race wear you can cut back on is important to save some dollars. Doing your research and understanding whether you're being looked after or screwed ...
My karts quicker at the end
June 01, 2021 09:00 - 5 minutes - 4.1 MBOur host 18 x Australian Champion David Sera explains why in some cases your karts performance is stronger at the end of a race. When we have longer races at major events or in finals, it's a good idea to have your kart setup so it peaks towards the back half of the race. But in the heat races which are normally shorter we don't want this as we can't keep our track position and are vulnerable to others overtaking when the kart isn't performing at it's peak. I try to offer some tips around ...
Kart Class - My karts quicker at the end
June 01, 2021 09:00 - 5 minutes - 4.1 MBOur host 18 x Australian Champion David Sera explains why in some cases your karts performance is stronger at the end of a race. When we have longer races at major events or in finals, it's a good idea to have your kart setup so it peaks towards the back half of the race. But in the heat races which are normally shorter we don't want this as we can't keep our track position and are vulnerable to others overtaking when the kart isn't performing at it's peak. I try to offer some tips around ...
Managing your old tyres
May 25, 2021 09:00 - 5 minutes - 3.82 MBOur host 18 x Australian Champion David Sera explains how to manage your older tyres so you don't find yourself going slower when you put on new rubber. Tyres are generally one of the largest expenses associated with kart racing, so as drivers and mechanics we want to try squeeze every last ounce from the tyre life for our practice days. But this can get us caught out into making the kart handle amazingly, but then when we fit new rubber to the kart our times go slower. We try find ways to...
Kart Class - Old Tyres
May 25, 2021 09:00 - 5 minutes - 3.82 MBOur host 18 x Australian Champion David Sera explains how to manage your older tyres so you don't find yourself going slower when you put on new rubber. Tyres are generally one of the largest expenses associated with kart racing, so as drivers and mechanics we want to try squeeze every last ounce from the tyre life for our practice days. But this can get us caught out into making the kart handle amazingly, but then when we fit new rubber to the kart our times go slower. We try find ways to...
Race Craft
May 18, 2021 09:00 - 5 minutes - 3.82 MBOur host 18 x Australian Champion David Sera explains the importance of race craft. How many times have we heard..... "We should've won, we were the quickest?" Well ultimately, in racing, it's not always the fastest kart that wins the race. Race craft is hugely important for drivers to understand so that they can place their karts in the right position, understand the ideal time to make an overtake, when to work with another driver and when to defend. If you've enjoyed this episode of Kart...
Kart Class - Race Craft
May 18, 2021 09:00 - 5 minutes - 3.82 MBOur host 18 x Australian Champion David Sera explains the importance of race craft. How many times have we heard..... "We should've won, we were the quickest?" Well ultimately, in racing, it's not always the fastest kart that wins the race. Race craft is hugely important for drivers to understand so that they can place their karts in the right position, understand the ideal time to make an overtake, when to work with another driver and when to defend. If you've enjoyed this episode of Kart...
Why do I spin in the wet weather?
May 11, 2021 09:00 - 5 minutes - 3.78 MBOur host 18 x Australian Champion David Sera explains why some drivers are continually spinning out in the wet weather and don't know why it's occurring. When the heavens open up, it isn't pleasant for driving. But the fact is, kart racing still takes place in the rain, so we need to be able to adjust our driving to suit the conditions. I've seen countless times drivers getting caught out and spinning in the rain lap after lap and they can't identify why it is happening. I try to point out...
Kart Class - Spinning in the wet
May 11, 2021 09:00 - 5 minutes - 3.78 MBOur host 18 x Australian Champion David Sera explains why some drivers are continually spinning out in the wet weather and don't know why it's occurring. When the heavens open up, it isn't pleasant for driving. But the fact is, kart racing still takes place in the rain, so we need to be able to adjust our driving to suit the conditions. I've seen countless times drivers getting caught out and spinning in the rain lap after lap and they can't identify why it is happening. I try to point out...
My kart has too much grip
May 04, 2021 09:00 - 5 minutes - 3.96 MBOur host 18 x Australian Champion David Sera explains what the kart feels like when it has too much grip. So many times karters are out at the race track and are guessing when they are making adjustments to their karts. Does it have enough grip? Does it have too much grip? And if you go the wrong way this really can affect the stability of your kart. We try to break down what happens when the kart has too much grip and also the adjustments a driver or mechanic can make so they go the right...
Kart Class - My kart has too much grip
May 04, 2021 09:00 - 5 minutes - 3.96 MBOur host 18 x Australian Champion David Sera explains what the kart feels like when it has too much grip. So many times karters are out at the race track and are guessing when they are making adjustments to their karts. Does it have enough grip? Does it have too much grip? And if you go the wrong way this really can affect the stability of your kart. We try to break down what happens when the kart has too much grip and also the adjustments a driver or mechanic can make so they go the right...
Kart Class - Front End Caster
April 27, 2021 09:00 - 6 minutes - 4.42 MBOur host 18 x Australian Champion David Sera explains a bit about the front end caster. Drivers and mechanics can alter their kart setup to suit their drivers needs. Caster plays a big part in how a kart handles and reacts on track so it's a great tuning tool to get better performance. But knowing when it should be used and when it shouldn't is the key. We try to give you an insight on what conditions caster plays a big part and which classes you may not need it for. If you've enjoyed th...
Front End Caster
April 27, 2021 09:00 - 6 minutes - 4.42 MBOur host 18 x Australian Champion David Sera explains a bit about the front end caster. Drivers and mechanics can alter their kart setup to suit their drivers needs. Caster plays a big part in how a kart handles and reacts on track so it's a great tuning tool to get better performance. But knowing when it should be used and when it shouldn't is the key. We try to give you an insight on what conditions caster plays a big part and which classes you may not need it for. If you've enjoyed th...
Kart Class - Tyre Pressures
April 20, 2021 09:00 - 8 minutes - 5.65 MBOur host 18 x Australian Champion David Sera explains tyre pressures and how to decide what is the ideal pressure to use for your kart. Having an understanding of what the optimal tyre pressure is for your kart can really dictate the handling characteristics a driver will face when they are on track. So it's vital either the driver or mechanic knows when to use a lower pressure or higher pressure depending on the compound they are using, the temperature they are racing in and the duration o...
Tyre Pressures
April 20, 2021 09:00 - 8 minutes - 5.65 MBOur host 18 x Australian Champion David Sera explains tyre pressures and how to decide what is the ideal pressure to use for your kart. Having an understanding of what the optimal tyre pressure is for your kart can really dictate the handling characteristics a driver will face when they are on track. So it's vital either the driver or mechanic knows when to use a lower pressure or higher pressure depending on the compound they are using, the temperature they are racing in and the duration o...