Frequently Asked
Questions
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| As
soon as you mention Indoor Karting to anyone assuming that
they have never been to an Indoor Kart circuit, their immediate
reply is always "my kids would enjoy that" they
seem to have this fixed idea that karting is for children,
either that or they have given up on enjoyment for themselves!
If you have not experienced the thrills
and excitement of Indoor Karting we would strongly recommend
that you give it a try. The Karts themselves are powered
by 200 c.c. Honda engines and can reach speeds of up to
45 m.p.h. but because you are riding only inches above the
track it can seem like 140 m.p.h.
You
can just book a session of either 10, 20, 30, 40 or 55 minutes
duration and join in with others in what we term a practice
session and while this is good fun and gives the driver
an opportunity to sample driving a kart, with a computerised
print-out of his/her lap times achieved, it cannot compare
to competing in an actual race meeting. We would recommend
that you bring along your own group and book an exclusive
race meeting (or book yourself in one of our Open Race Events).
We cater for groups from 4 to 60 in number at Gridline Racing,
on Dunford Road, just off Canwick Road in Lincoln.
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Q.
What should I wear?
A. Casual
clothes are recommended and flat shoes particularly for ladies,
we supply race suits which you can slip on over your own clothes
and helmets and gloves are provided Drivers with long hair
are required to tuck some into their helmet or suit.
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Q.
Do you have any form of catering available?
A. While we
have sweets, crisps and soft drinks machines, we can arrange
catering, full details and choice of menus are available on
our catering page. |
Q.
Do you have any transport available?
A. We
can arrange a Limo or Mini Bus to pick you up and bring you
to Gridline Racing and drop you off after your event. Please
call for details. |
Q.
Supposing I don't like it or can't do it?
A.
If after your practice session you do not want to participate
in the race we will give you an immediate no quibble money
back guarantee, we can afford to do this as is so rarely happens!
(only applies in the Grand Prix or Endurance events) |
Q.
Will I be competeive as I have never driven a kart before?
A. We
recommend that you listen attentively to our pre-race briefing,
it is surprising easily and great fun providing you know
the correct way to drive your kart. The whole secret is
to slow down into the corners and fast out, the speed out
of a corner determines the speed down the straight and it
is the speed on the straights that give good lap times.
Avoid sliding out the tail of the kart, because in doing
so all you achieve is to scrub off speed and lose acceleration.
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Q.
Are there any age, weight or height restriction's?
A. Our
adult karts have a minimum height restriction of 4ft 10”
and a minimum age requirement of 12 years of age. If you
are over 19 stones or 6ft 5” you are going to have
trouble fitting into a kart, sorry! If you are in any doubt
please pay us a visit and ask to try a kart for size, it’s
NO trouble. |
Q.
It appears to be expensive?
A. Indoor
karting offers the best value Motorsport available –
your inclusive price covers all your equipment hire, the
opportunity for head to head racing, and an event full of
non-stop action supervised by our experienced marshals which
at least one of them will be First Aid trained, this would
cost you thousands on a race track. |
Q.
Karting is something you do at a funfair!
A.
Gridline Racing offers a real race experience – using
light weight racing chassis made by Biz, with impressive
handling and performance, they are real flying machines.
Apart from using a 4 stroke Honda 200cc 6.5hp engine (can’t
use 2 stroke engines indoors), it’s the same kart
you would buy to race in. And it’s a world apart from
the heavy box section go-karts you get at amusement parks. |
Q.
It must be small if its indoors!
A.
Our track is not the biggest in the world, although it is
housed in a 25,000sqft ex-cash & carry so its not the
smallest either, and we can fit 8 karts on the track comfortably
and the track makes for exciting close head to head racing
with plenty of overtaking opportunities instead of the larger
outdoor tracks where karts become too spread out, making
for boring racing. Come down and try to beat our fastest
lap of the month, which is just under 19 seconds. |
Q.
Why indoors?
A. Karting
as a sport runs on outdoor circuits, however it was only
after they moved Indoors with the advent of Honda four stroke
engines did it really become popular and accessible to the
public. The reasons are quite simple – hanging around
outside in the wind and rain is not a lot of fun, and even
more unpleasant to drive in. In addition the karts become
tatty and rusty, and equipment spoils easily. Most customers
also want to race at night, and through the winter, which
demands good lighting, which is very difficult to achieve
on an outdoor track without great expense. Moving indoors
solved all these problems, and allows customers to enjoy
a lively, colourful atmosphere with viewing terraces, PA
systems and lap timing displays – it’s a fun
place to enjoy either taking part or just to come along
and watch the racing. |
Q.
Is it ok to drop the kids off?
A.
Due to the potential risks involved, all drivers under 16
must be accompanied by a parent/guardian, and a disclaimer
must be counter signed by them. |
Q.
Do I need a drivers lincence?
A.
No – it’s not necessary. We provide thorough briefing
and practice laps before you race. However if your nervous
come down for a practice session first…..it will make
a big difference! |
Q.
Do you have any driving tips?
A.
When you watch the faster drivers on the track you will
notice how smooth they are, and how they stick to the
racing line. |
| Skidding
around the corners may look like fun but all you’re
doing is scrubbing speed off!!! The secret to smooth
driving is to control your speed into a corner by either
lifting off the accelerator or braking (only brake when
in a straight line, as the brakes only work on the rear
wheels, otherwise you will spin), give yourself lots
of room to steer round smoothly. Then accelerate once
you’re pointing in the right direction. Take a
corner too fast or too tight and you’re likely
to spin out and lose the race. Remember SLOW
IN – FAST OUT! It’s a good idea
to use your practice laps before your race to try different
race lines and speeds, rather than use it as an unofficial
race. |
| OVERTAKING
other drivers is the same as Formula 1 or any other
form of Motorsport. If someone sticks to the racing
line it can be difficult the get passed them, however
if you put the pressure on and stick right behind them,
they are more likely to make a mistake which will give
you the opportunity to slip passed. |
| Other
things to watch out for is DOUBLE PEDALLING,
this is when you use your brake while still having your
foot on the accelerator, this over heats your clutch
and will affect the karts performance (especially acceleration)
and in some case’s will get soo hot the clutch
will cease up totally and then you will be out the race
altogether. |
| Also
keeps your hands well away from the exhaust at all times
as these get extremely hot and will burn like hell.
Always keep your hands and legs inside the kart, especially
when you’ve spun as this could be very dangerous,
always wait for a marshal to come and give you some
help. |
| Finally,
please remember that karting is a NON-CONTACT
sport, and any deliberate contact could result in you
getting Black Flagged by the marshal’s and being
taking off the karts with NO refund! |
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Q.
Is Gridline Racing licensed to sell alcohol?
A.
Drinking & driving don’t mix – just as on
the road! However we normally will have your event finished
in time for you to head off into Lincoln town centre which
offers a wide variety of clubs & pubs. We also offer a
BYO policy which means your welcome to bring along your own
beers and stick around after your event and have a celebratory
drink and have a game of pool. |
Q.
If I'm not very good, will I be knocked out early in a G.P?
A.
All drivers receive the same amount of driving during the
practice and heats, which is the main part of the Grand Prix.
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Q.
How do I go about running a race for my group?
A. Simply
get a group of between 4 - 60 drivers and ring 01522
539915 and book a date and time suitable for your
group. The circuit will require a £10 per head booking
fee and all major credit cards are accepted. We recommend
where each driver in the group will be paying for him/herself,
that a deposit of at least £10 be collected from each
person by the organiser and retained by him/her, this avoids
people pulling out of the group at a late stage. While we
ask for an approximate number of drivers in each race to
be advised when booking, more are welcome to join, though
we would appreciate a quick call just to let us know.
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