What Should You Expect When Go Karting for the First Time
What is go karting, and how are our races done?
Go karts are 4 wheeled motorised vehicles used for competitive or recreational activities. They can be electric or petrol, depending on the track. Here, at PKT, our go karts are petrol powered, which helps create an exciting, authentic karting environment while also providing a lightweight build which allows for better handling.
Our races here consist of a number of karts sent from out of the pits, onto our track to compete against each other’s times or just their own. These standard sessions last for 10 minutes in total. Once the time is up, racers are led back into the pits to allow the next group onto the track. The usual wait for a customer between sessions is 30 minutes.
If other formats interest you, we also provide Grand Prix events, aimed at groups with over 10 people.
What happens when you arrive at Picton Karting Track?
Racers should always arrive 45 minutes before the race starting time. This is to ensure that everyone has completed the following requirements before racing:
- Registration: Every racer is required to register an account with us prior to racing, this is to allow racers to keep track of their previous race times, save registering in the future, and also to contribute to our loyalty membership.
- Signing in: Once registration is complete, we will guide you to our front counter where our staff will help with managing your booking, signing in, taking payments, and to make sure all participants are ready to go. Everyone over the age of 18 must show photo ID to our staff before going on the track.
- Briefing: If it is your first time at Picton Karting Track, you are required to watch a safety video. This must be watched before heading out onto the karts.
For larger groups (10+ persons), we ask that you attend 1 hour before your designated race.
What Happens During the Safety Briefing?
Our friendly staff are always here to help with how to correctly drive a go kart, especially during a safety briefing. Our briefing consists of a video for you to watch, which consist of a multitude of tips, tricks, and requirements you must adhere to when out on the track. Afterwards, our designated safety briefer will reiterate and answer any queries that may arise.
Our briefing will cover many things like:
- Braking before corners, rolling through corners, and accelerating after corners.
- Proper overtaking technique and places on the track.
- Our traffic lights and what they mean.
- Procedure if you spin or get stuck on the track.
- Proper racing etiquette, like bumping or tailgating.
- The use of our safety limiter.
Some other topics may be discussed, depending on the type of kart you choose.
What Does Driving a Go Kart Feel Like?
Imagine this: the roar of engines, the sense of excitement, the tension of your hands as they grip the wheel, the force of your body as you turn the corners, the open air and wind fighting back as you hurdle down the straight, go karting is a rollercoaster where you’re in control.
Our karts sit low to the ground, and are scarce of items you may find in a car. There are no airbags, there is no windscreen, and there is no suspension, so you will feel everything! This is to allow the kart to be as light, fast, and handleable as possible.
Because of the variety of go karts types we have at PKT, our races are suitable to the majority of racing levels, from amateur to experts. Due to the variety, each of our fleets feel different in handling. This is because of the differing speed and acceleration between the engine sizes, where the higher the horsepower, the more skill required.
While our 7HP, 13HP and 18HP are all amateur friendly 4-stroke karts, different considerations need to be made in terms of braking distance and positions. For example, a corner that can be throttled through with a 7HP may have the 18HP braking beforehand. Each kart provides a unique experience.
Our 2-stroke 23HP karts are our standard competition racing karts. While you will not jump into one straight away, the opportunity is always open for everyone, requiring racers to complete our qualification test. Ask one of our staff for more information on that.
How Can You Prepare for Your First Race?
Our races are beginner friendly, however, there are things you can do to make the experience more enjoyable not just for yourself, but for those racing with you.
Wearing appropriate clothing is a must. These clothes must be suitably fitted and not loose, like baggy shirts or long dresses. All hair that is longer than shoulder length must be tied up and positioned either in the helmet, or within clothing. All drivers must have enclosed foot wear when on the karts. Feel free to bring your own full face helmet, as long as it has chin and eye protection. If you don’t have your own helmet, you must wear a balaclava to wear our PKT helmets. Balaclavas can be purchased at our front counter for $5.
Consistency over speed. A driver who makes it out of a corner beats the one who sped into it. Understanding your skill and confidence level, and matching your driving to that will decrease the likelihood of crashes and spins while increasing the fun and excitement. Our staff on track and in the pits are always willing to help with driving skills if any problems or questions arise.
What’s next?
Once you’re ready and comfortable to head down to Picton Karting Track, the next step is to book! You can do so through this link.
Corners arrive fast, straights become short, and the heart beats like never before. Come join us at Picton Go karts.
