The Real Reason Go Karts Feel So Fast

Why does it feel so fast when you’re driving a kart?

Why does 50 mph in a kart, feel so much faster than 50 mph in a road car on the motorway?

F1 drivers often say that karting is one of the closest things to actually driving an F1 car -- but how is this possible if kart is travelling at a third of the speed?

Well, today, I’m going over the science to explain why karting feels so quick -- and I’m writing the morning after a karting session.

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[entropyachieved]

Because your low to the ground, un protected, it's bumpy/ noisy and the track is small and appears to go past quickly. Same as how a rollercoaster tricks your mind even though you can drive down a highway faster and feel safer

[thedeamonmeteor]

Small nimble cars >>>> heavy fast cars

(Looking at you F1 👀)

[TheDwightMamba]

For me, it's the realization that a good kart can take a 90° corner out of a straight at full throttle. The grip is unreal.

[ThatBeTheQuestion]

6:56 I never thought I'd get to say this on a Driver61 video, but "I'm VECTOR! because I have both DIRECTION and MAGNITUDE!"

[jonzx]

You forgot at least one major aspect. The incredibly short wheelbase makes the cart steering more responsive/twitchy. It also makes the time between bumps hitting the front and rear wheels quicker which you will perceive as speed.

[alexpritchard]

The picture at 33 seconds is me lol. I’m in the back running my number 7 plate 👍

[lewisgordon]

“I started racing go-karts. And I love karts. It’s the most breath taking sport in the world. More than F1, indeed, I used to like it most.”

— Ayrton Senna

and "it's as hard to drive a 125cc shifter kart as a F1 car"
[I may have the wording off on that one, i couldn't find a copy of that quote to confirm it exactly]

[disieh]

The thing I hate the most with karting is when the car starts to vibrate. The kart I drove as a kid used to vibrate so much it blurred my vision. It made 10 year old me absolutely terrified driving at max speed.

[TheJamonLance]

Once i tried a Kz. The most terrifying thing ever. Like, dude i do rental karts every month, and drive a miata, but the KZ is just insane, both from the perception of the 2 stroke buzzing, the acceleration, the inmediate response, the vibration...
I would never have the guts to race KZ's, I cant imagine how terrifying an f1 is

[chaoscope]

*seating next to Scott in a plane* 6:23 "It's perfectly possible to be travelling at a thousand miles per hour, but have zero acceleration. So if you were blindfolded, you wouldn't even know." *changes seat*

[simrock_]

Think that's why so many SUV drivers seem to be speeding? :)

[claudioschumi]

You should definitely do a video about 90s to early 00s karting. That was a very special era of motorsport, and sadly, Karting today has lost its soul hasn't been the same since. Anyone are curious should definitely check some videos out of races in that era highly recommend it.

[guitarman]

05:51 - that's a good analogy. You think you're going really slowly when you're in an aeroplane. But once you see another aeroplane go past you, you then have something to compare your speed to. And those other aeroplanes are (literally) flying at incredible speeds!

[_TmiOka_]

In my first experience i was more concerned that the loud engine would explode rather than winning or crashing.

[dnlvrl.]

This is why when i was junger i wanted a fast car, but now i'm into dirt bikes bicycles and skis. Going 30/40 kmh feels really fast when you're tucking your elbows to avoid hitting trees, hearing small branches hitting the helmet and jumping around. Add some no fall zones and it will wake you up

[briangschaefer]

Absolutely brilliant video Scott! I love how you brought together all the factors most people would never consider in the driving experience. I have been driving/racing for 48 years and I learn so much from your videos. Thank you so much for all the work you put into them.

[arranchace]

Its true, i have broken a rib in a kart, due to i rented a kart that with a seat that was way to big for me, and got into a pretty compettative fight with a friend, both of us Simracing fanatics thus we went a bit bonkers offcourse showing off to each other who was the fastest, so i was bashing around in the seat like crazy.
After several sessions my ribcage was so sore, i coudn't go on, and i went the next day to the hospital where they told me i had a broken rib.

But then it was FUN!!!

[tnvcxzd]

Perspective and field of vision.
Perception
Sensory Feedback
Vibration, noise, wind.
Perhaps experience a bit too.
Really interesting as always.

[discodan]

Being able to see the front of the vehicle clearly also enables a better entry into the corners. Perspective and overall fov make a difference.

[RtroZone]

Similar to the reverse effect I feel at work. I drive heavy equipment, trucks and buses. 55 mph in those feels slower than 55 mph in my car because when I'm in a truck or a bus, I'm sitting 5 feet above the road.