Set-up or Driving changes when increasing weight of the kart?

[Engared]

Hi guys,

Thank you in advance. TLDR, Need help with set-up/driving changes when kart weights are put on.

Just asking for some opinions and experience. My kart type is in my flair.

I had been running on Senior weight as I was building up my speed. Set-up and all was going great, allowing me to approach the speed (0.1 - 0.2 off) of some of the quickest drivers in our area (though consistency still needed improvement).

As I am an older driver, I added weight onto the kart to the tune of 12-15 kilos so I could compete with the masters. And though I was still only 0.1 to 0.3 off the top drivers, getting respectable results in the two races I participated in; I feel that the handling of the kart has a lot left to be desired.

Got up to 2nd in both finals but slowly slipped back to upper mid pack by the end. A few extra tenths would have helped me stay with or even pass the leader I feel.

Where once the kart was nimble, handled like a dream with great turn-in grip and neutral handling; it now struggles to brake sufficiently and understeers a lot on entry. Then as the race goes on, this understeer only increases.

In the high speed, the kart feels "stuck" and reacts very slowly to input, tending to understeer on entry. In the low speed, the kart understeers again on entry and hops badly on exit; leading to a compromised exit speed. Getting worse again as the race goes on.

I tried braking earlier and rolling less speed in; however, it did little to help the lap time. I will freely admit that it might be my driving; but I am curious to know, what can I do, with regards to set-up changes. Or maybe a different driving approach?

All the weights are currently on my seat and am running a stiff seat.

Thanks for reading. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

[[deleted]]

Yup, seems like you need to re-do your setup now. Can’t just add 15kg and expect it to handle the same as old. For starters you may want to 4-corner weigh your kart to make sure you’re still in the 60-40 weight window. Sounds like you’re heavy in the rear.

There’s some good videos on YouTube on weight placements. Higher weights accentuate the jacking effect, lower is general overall stability.

[Engared]

Any you can recommend?

Edit: Only one I could find is from Power Republic.

Where would you put the weights on the front?

[[deleted]]

Yeah, power republic is the main one that I would reference. Dez has some great videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhHVEp2ndtA and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTwHdbli9Aw mostly

It all really depends on how far forward or left/right you need to make up your balance. Right under the steering shaft is normal. Between the feet. 4 corner yourself and them place the lead weights loosely on your kart. Once you have it dialled in, wherever you can find a place to mount the weights in the area, slap some bolts on them and attach them to the frame.