Winter Is Coming, So Now's The Perfect Time To Go Karting
The clocks have gone back, the leaves have blown from the trees, and the sodding X Factor is back on the television forever and ever amen. It's winter, but that shouldn't mean it's time to put enjoying larking about in a car to bed for six months. As the F1 season winds up, get yourself into your own single seater. Go karting.
Karting in winter? Are you mad?
No, far from it. And there's advantage número uno. No waiting around to get a session: you're likely to have the place to yourselves. Your own private race meeting, without the holiday kids getting in the way.
Won't it be insanely dangerous?
Nope: no kart track is going to let you loose on the circuit unless they're happy it's safe. But unless there's a Day After Tomorrow dumping of snow, chances are they'll be keen to keep the track open. If you do have an off, soggy run-off stops a kart better than summer-baked turf.
So, what's the big deal?
Karting is more fun when it's slippery. Slick tyres and a short wheelbase means drifting is pretty much unavoidable. And limited traction stops the lawnmower engine bogging down.
Plus, it teaches you good race-craft. Heard F1 commentators talking about driving off the racing line to find grip, away from the smoother, rubbered-in surface? You'll feel that for real. And you'll learn very quickly to stay off the kerbs. Usually you can hustle arrive-and-drive karts over the track limits and only risk a sore backside, but in the wet you'll find them as slippy as sheet ice.
As you and your mates wind and slide around the circuit, a faster dry line will start to emerge. So you'll have to adapt your driving style throughout the session, braking later and keeping your apexing neat to avoid falling off the quick bit. All this play value just doesn't come into karting when you're pounding around on a hot, dry day.
What if I get cold?
Oh behave. Anyone who's done some proper karting will testify how physical it is, bruising your sides and blistering your palms. If you're hustling hard while wrapped up in fireproof gear and a proper lid, you won't notice the windchill or the spray. It's practically a workout.
I'm almost convinced. Now inspire me to go racing in the wet...
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