When talking to complete strangers to kart racing, one of the questions that always comes up is about racing in the rain. Often they discover with astonishment that rain doesn’t stop racing. The achievement of making these little machines run flush to the track in torrential downpours regularly raises concerns with the increased danger of slippery tracks.
In fact the reduction in grip is an additional element of selectivity, giving rise to more spectacular and less orthodox moves than in dry conditions. Apart from greatly reduced visibility in the event of exceptionally heavy water splashes, rain does not really increase the risks inherent in racing. Cornering speeds are lower and any incidents are less likely to have consequences, even though they may be more frequent.
On the other hand, two aspects are particularly interesting to follow during wet races. Wet tracks have a tendency to level out the performance of engines, while at the same time giving a major role to the technical choices made, sometimes at the last minute. Anticipating changes in grip during a race is an art based on experience. Typical rain settings are characterised by a higher chassis position and the softening of its behaviour by loosening everything that can be loosened. Lastly is tyre pressure. Even more than in dry conditions, chassis and transmission ratio settings can lead to victory or failure.
Last but not least, driving becomes even more important in the rain. Some drivers give the impression that they are flying over the track, overcoming grip problems. It’s a great spectacle to watch, because it’s easy to compare lines, braking and driveability live during the event. The balancing skills of the competitors are on show for all to see, and the spectators can get quite excited about the big gains. But it’s important to keep a cool head: a kart perfectly tuned for a given set of conditions is virtually unbeatable, and the credit for a great performance often goes to the mechanics who had the gumption or the audacity to apply different choices to the others.
So, no, rain is far from being a problem in karting. Rather, it’s an opportunity to be seized and a chance to provide an even more interesting spectacle. The subject was at the heart of the news last Sunday at Kristianstad during the Finals of the Mondokart.com FIA Karting European Championship – OK and Junior. Watching the live-streaming at close range is very satisfying and allows you to sharpen your eye for these special conditions.
August marks a relative break in the sporting calendar, allowing us to take a well-deserved rest and get away to idyllic scenery whenever possible. The KSP Reportages team is getting ready to follow this pleasant custom. Kartcom will be on standby until the French Cup at Angerville and the second round of the FIA Karting European Championship for KZ, KZ2 and KZ2 Masters at Val Vibrata. We hope you all have a great holiday and enjoy the sunshine more than the rain!
Info KARTCOM Sélection / Photo © KSP