Rick's Racing Tips

From the Desk of Rick Snow

Jan 29, 2007

Racing Lines & Passing

As with any racetrack there are only one or two truly fast "racing lines" around our track. A "racing line", which also may just be referred to as the "best line", is an imaginary line that, if followed exactly, would result in the fastest way to get around the track. Most of the staff at Maine Indoor Karting can show you the best line around our track and it doesn't take long to learn that line. However, chances are you won't always be on the track alone. This implies that at some point you will have to pass someone and what are the odds that they'll be running close to the same line as you.....pretty good.

So how do you get around them if they're not much slower than you?

This is where I see issues all the time. In watching thousands of races here and on TV and in racing simulators, I find that most people get tunnel vision. When you are behind someone you tend to focus on them, not on where you should be on the track, meaning that if they take a corner wide and go off the track or hit a wall - you'll follow them, or if they drive into a corner too fast - you'll drive into a corner too fast. In order to effectively pass another racer you'll most likely have to change your racing line, which means not following them and making your own line through the corners.

Most every driver has a weakness on the track.

You'll need to find that weakness and use it to your advantage. If you see them taking a corner a little too wide, setup your approach so that you can cut it tight and keep as much momentum through the corner as possible. Passing other racers can be one of the hardest things to do, especially if they're going roughly your speed, but being patient and finding the right time to make the perfect pass is very rewarding and is great to watch.

One of my favorite sayings in racing goes along nicely with this subject: "You most likely won't win the race in the first corner, but you can easily lose the race in the first corner." Be patient; smooth is fast.

- Ian Waldecker
M.I.K. Track Manager

From the Desk of Rick Snow

Oct 12, 2006

Fall is here and we just had a great week at the fair. Thanks to all of you who stopped by and said hello or entered for a free race.

Check out our fall specials and don't forget we are now closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Check out the next oval night. It's open to any adult driver now!

Handling G-Forces

A few people asked me how to handle the G-forces they get while racing at Maine's fastest indoor go-kart track.

Unfortunately there is no known solution if you're susceptible to motion sickness. (It's an inner ear thing) There are a few recommended ways to ease the feeling. Don't have a lot of food or caffeinated beverages before you race. Drink water, juice or Gatorade to ensure you're hydrated. Don't look directly at the next turn while your driving and don't focus on the kart in front of you. Look out far enough that your focusing on the second or third turn ahead. If you find you are getting mezmerized by the track slow down a little and look at the opposite end of the building. Once you have your bearings get back into the gas.

We are seeing a lot of tire squeal again. Remember smooth is fast!!

Lori and I look forward to seeing you here this fall!

-Rick Snow

From the Desk of Rick Snow

Jul 12, 2006

Well another three months has gone by and its time for another newsletter. I can't believe it's already summer. For those of you who get to hot or sunburned on the beach don't forget were open 7 days a week.

Very few of you have let us know which specials you like the most. Please let our staff know what suggestions you'd like us to try. Our August summer camp date is almost full so sign up your children now. With all the track time they get, we guarantee they will be worn out at the end of the day.

We are testing a new form of motor sport called drifting. We are looking into whether this type of racing will work with go-karts and if there is a demand in this area to justify the cost. Let us know what your thoughts are. Remember drifting is more about kart control and not about speed.

Stay Cool on the Track

Are you comfortable right now? How's your posture, are you to hot?

Race drivers don't have the comfort of A/C. If it's hot outside it's a lot hotter in the race car. The best way to cope with the external uncontrollable things is to control your environment. When you race at Maine Indoor Karting, adjust your seat to the most comfortable position, make sure the helmet is strapped and not to loose or tight. Make sure you've gone to the facilities, and don't have anything except racing to think about. As you're waiting for the race to start imagine the best lap you've ever done. Where did I brake? When did I turn the wheel and how much or how little did I turn the wheel to make each turn. How soon could I get on the gas? All these questions are what you should be thinking about before the green flag waves. The first few laps should be to get the tires up to temperature and to feel the kart and how it handles. The most important thing about racing like most sports is to be consistent. Find your best line and try to copy it each lap. Smooth is Fast.

Lori and I look forward to seeing you here this summer!

Rick Snow

From the Desk of Rick Snow

Apr 21, 2006

Thanks to all of you who took the time to open and comment to us about the E-traction newsletter. Please feel free to share it with your friends and co-workers.

We have updated the next three months of specials, so check out the MIK Specials page and pick your favorite. Speaking of specials, let us know which specials you like the most and give our staff suggestions for some you'd like us to try. We have scheduled our summer camp dates so you can sign up your children now. With all the track time they get, we guarantee they will be worn out at the end of the day.

Thanks to all of you we have had a good first quarter. Having Jerry Nedeau and Ryan Moore race here with the NAPA sponsored WBLM winners was a great success. Jerry was in the low 21 second range within 3 races! I know why he was a NASCAR star before his Richmond accident.

In this newsletter we will discuss the most important component to driving fast. Can any of you guess? No its not horsepower or aerodynamics. It is the tires! If you can't get your tires to grip the racetrack you are not going to have a fast lap. A lot of drivers think that if the tires are squealing they are going fast. The tires are talking to you when they squeal. They are letting you know that you are at the limits of adhesion of your tires. You need to slow down just a little to stop the squealing. Because you are near the limits of the tire grip, any large adjustment to the gas, brake, or steering will throw the kart out of balance. Any adjustments you make must be small and smooth to keep the kart facing in the forward direction. The next time you're here, find the limits of tire and slow down just a tiny amount and see how your times will improve.

Hope to see you soon to try out our many specials.

Rick Snow

From the Desk of Rick Snow

Jan 15, 2006

Wow, I can't believe it's been over two years since we opened our doors! Time really does fly when you're having fun.

We have made an effort to improve the value we offer our members here at M.I.K. Looking at the next 3 months specials we have a number of opportunities for you to save money with your racing addiction. The "Oval Track" and "Lights Out" racing seems to be the most popular events. We have also changed the NAPA 125 format with qualifying no longer required, so sign your team up ASAP...

A lot of you have asked me how to go faster on the track. The number one mistake I see is driving too aggressively. Smooth is fast- if your tires are squealing, you're losing speed. It goes against your instinct but you need to slow down before the turns; especially turn 3, so you can get on the gas just after the turn and should be on full throttle by turn 4. If you don't currently do this, work on that line and your times will improve.

Rick Snow