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Bruce's Blog Motorsport News

Have you ever wondered what we are working on at TeamSport? Whether that’s new tracks, new countries, electric plans or our community efforts… this is the place to come and get the low down!

Be sure to check out our blog every month for the latest – and don’t miss out on some of our biggest news stories!

The rundown of the National Finals of the British Indoor Karting Championship (BIKC) 2024! Held on the 9th and 10th of November.

British Indoor Karting Championship National 2024 Finals

Electrifying Moments at the British Indoor Karting Championship National Finals 2024: Speed, Skill, and Sportsmanship

The hum of electric motors, the adrenaline-charged atmosphere, and the cheers of spectators - this was the scene at the National Finals of the British Indoor Karting Championship (BIKC) 2024! Held on the 9th and 10th of November, this event was a showcase of incredible BIZ Ecovolt GT karts , combined with amazing talent and sportsmanship. It wasn’t just a competition; it was a celebration of strategy, and sheer driving skill, attracting the nation’s top indoor karters to battle for glory.

Once again, this year’s National Finals took place at the legendary TeamSport Warrington, one of the UK’s most iconic indoor karting circuits. Known for its challenging twists, high-speed straights, and state-of-the-art electric karts, it provided the perfect backdrop for the showdown. The atmosphere at the track was electric with hundreds of spectators filling the venue and thousands more joining via livestream to witness the action unfold in real time.

Adding to the excitement of the weekend was the introduction of a Joker Lap in the Grand Finals for our Junior, Lightweight, Middleweight and Heavyweight categories, a feature inspired by Rallycross. This tactical element required each driver to take a route through the pitlane, shaking up traditional strategies and testing competitors' split-second decision-making skills. It truly delivered nail-biting moments throughout all the Grand Finals.

After two days of adrenaline-fueled competition, five exceptional drivers emerged victorious, each earning a place in BIKC history:

Lightweight Champion: Kai Newman (Sheffield)

Middleweight Champion: Charlie Ratford (Harlow)

Heavyweight Champion: Hassan Zafar (Stockton)

Their performances were nothing short of phenomenal. From perfectly executed overtakes to sheer grit in the face of fierce competition, these drivers showcased the pinnacle of indoor karting talent. The Joker Lap introduced an extra layer of excitement, often making the difference in races decided by the slimmest of margins.

More Than a Race: A Display of Sportsmanship

Beyond the high-octane action, the Finals were a testament to the camaraderie and respect among competitors. Despite the intensity of the battles on track, the spirit of sportsmanship was evident throughout the event. Drivers exchanged handshakes, cheers, and even tips, proving that karting is as much about the community as it is about competition.

An event of this scale wouldn’t be possible without the unwavering support of our partners and sponsors. A huge thank you to our Headline Sponsors, Club100, whose incredible contributions not only made the 2024 BIKC National Finals an unforgettable experience but also provided the highest-placed individuals with entry into Club100 - a crucial next step on the motorsport ladder. Additional thanks go to Motorsport UK, BIZ Karts, Sonair, and Revolution Audio for their invaluable support.

The 2024 British Indoor Karting Championship will go down as one of the most thrilling in the series' history. To all the drivers, supporters, and organisers who made it possible - thank you for your passion, dedication, and energy. You’ve made this year’s championship truly unforgettable!

Want to see the full rundown of the results and podium winners? Click HERE (https://bikc.co.uk/2024-national-results/) for all the details.

As we close the chapter on 2024, the excitement is already building for BIKC 2025. Stay tuned for announcements and updates as we prepare for another year of unmatched karting action.

🏁 Keep racing and we’ll see you on the track very soon! 🚦

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BIKC 2024 FINALS

As 2024 comes to an end, we want to celebrate the Race for Diversity initiative. 

Race for Diversity: Empowering the Next Generation of Motorsport Talent

As we draw the curtain on a fantastic 2024 for the Race for Diversity initiative, we want to take a moment to celebrate its remarkable success and the incredible impact it continues to have on young people aspiring to build a future in motorsport. Working closely with Motorsport UK, we are proud to play a role in helping inspire and encourage young talent from underrepresented backgrounds to explore the exciting world of motorsport, specifically through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics).

The Race for Diversity programme is about more than just driving fast cars; it's about driving change. The initiative aims to increase participation and support for young people from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic groups, as well as those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, aged 14 to 24. By nurturing this talent, we hope to break down the barriers that have traditionally limited access to motorsport, ensuring that the sport reflects the diverse world in which we live.

The need for initiatives like Race for Diversity is clear. Research from the Hamilton Commission revealed that less than 1% of those working in Formula 1 come from Black backgrounds, and Motorsport UK has reported that less than 3% of its licence holders are from ethnically diverse groups. These statistics highlight the gap that exists and underscore the importance of programmes that actively engage young people from diverse communities and provide them with the tools and opportunities to succeed.

The goal of the Race for Diversity programme is simple: create a more inclusive and diverse motorsport culture by inspiring and supporting young people at an early stage. By building a pipeline of talent, we can shift the dial and ensure that motorsport is accessible to all, regardless of background.

Hands-On Learning: The Power of Experience

Since its pilot in 2023, the Race for Diversity programme has seen tremendous growth and success. In 2024, we were thrilled to host engaging activation days at our Birmingham and Leeds venues, where students participated in hands-on STEM-focused activities. These activations helped develop essential skills such as teamwork, time management, and collaboration, all of which are vital for a career in motorsport.

But it wasn’t all just about theory – students also had the opportunity to apply what they’d learned on our indoor go-kart tracks. By getting behind the wheel and testing their skills on the track, participants gained firsthand experience of the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of motorsport, giving them a real taste of what the industry has to offer.

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Diversity in Motorsport

We’re excited to announce that the next Race for Diversity event will take place at our Manchester Trafford Park track on January 21, 2025. As we continue working closely with Motorsport UK, we are committed to supporting these young drivers and engineers on their journey, offering them an environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and a shared passion for motorsport.

As we move into 2025, our goal is to support Motorsport UK on the programme, host even more events, reaching even more schools and inspiring more students to pursue their passion for motorsport and STEAM. The journey is just beginning, and we can’t wait to see the impact this programme will continue to have in shaping the next generation of motorsport talent.

Why We’re Invested in Race for Diversity

At our indoor karting venues, we believe that motorsport should be a sport for everyone. We are deeply invested in the Race for Diversity programme because we believe in its power to create lasting change in the motorsport industry. By providing young people with the skills, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed, we are helping to lay the foundation for a more inclusive, dynamic, and innovative future for motorsport.

We are incredibly proud to be part of this movement and look forward to seeing the amazing talent that will emerge from the programme in the years to come. Together, we can make a difference.

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION

RACE FOR DIVERSITY

Organising your mate's stag do and unsure where to start? Looking for stag do activity ideas? Read our blog for tips and tricks to create the ultimate stag do!

The Best Stag Do Activity Ideas | How To Organise A Stag Do

Organising the Ultimate Stag Do with TeamSport

Are you in charge of making your best mates’ stag do a night to remember? To make sure their “last night of freedom” meets all their expectations, you need to nail down the organisation with plenty of time and create an itinerary that’s unique, fun and (most importantly) personal to them!

We can help you out, whether you’re looking for surprising stag do activity ideas or a list of things to consider through the planning process. Read on to learn how to plan the ultimate stag do and the best activities for it. 

(1) Write the guest list. 
Decide this with the stag, as it might get complicated for you to do alone. Do you invite the older generation? Are kids or teenagers coming, or work friends? Are any of the bride’s family and friends coming? These are questions only they can answer.

(2) Decide on a budget. 
After you’ve invited the lads, the next thing to think about is how much you’re prepared to spend. Get the stag party together for this one and decide what’s reasonable. This could affect the itinerary - for example, it might be expensive to organise a trip abroad, but a round of go-karting at TeamSport tends to cost £40-50 per person before any discounts are considered - find out more with our How Much Does Go Karting Cost blog.

(3) Decide on the dates. 
If you’re planning something pretty elaborate, make sure to settle on dates a few months in advance - this will also help keep costs down through early bird prices.

(4) Book in hotels and travel arrangements. 
If you’re planning a whole stag weekend, or going out of town for the best activities, make sure you think about transport and accommodation. 
This is especially important if the drinks are going to be flowing - consider booking a coach to get everyone from place to place, or booking an AirBNB so there’s somewhere for everyone to crash and nurse hangovers.

(5) Start planning the itinerary. 
Now onto the fun part - think about what the stag loves most, and what you’ll all have the most fun tackling together. If going abroad for a weekend in Amsterdam or Barcelona is out of the question, see below for our top British stag do ideas.

(6) Think about pranks, games, surprises and extras. 
This is where you can get really creative: how are you going to keep everyone on their toes? Consult the stag party for ideas and come up with personalised extras to spread out throughout the day or weekend - you could go for stag do classics like matching t-shirts and flip cup, or more unique options. 

(7) Enjoy the last big party before the wedding!
At this point, you’ve done everything you can to put together an epic party - it’s time to celebrate your best friend’s marriage in style.

Is he the active type? Is he a thrill-seeker? Is he super competitive? In that case, you’ll find a ton of stag do activities that he’ll love you for at TeamSport.

TeamSport offers a host of cool activities that you can look cool doing, all great for a night out with mates. If budget is a concern, these are also great value for money. What’s not to love?

Here are some stag do activities you can do at TeamSport venues across the country:

Indoor go karting is a classic for a reason - what better way to get the adrenaline pumping and get the stag fired up for his big day than racing at 40mph against his friends? You don’t need any experience to try go karting - whether your party is full of complete beginners or seasoned speed demons, you’re guaranteed a great time if you put them on the track. 

Not as physically demanding as regular golf, crazy golf is a fuss-free stag do activity idea. With wacky courses to master and obstacles to overcome, it’s a simple way to have fun. The best part? A lot of people underestimate how hard it can be to sink a shot on our Putt Club courses - laugh and laugh as your friends keep missing, and maybe set up a penalty for whoever loses.

If you want a stag do activity idea that’s all about teamwork, Laser Combat could be the thing for your party. Strategy is the name of the game here - if there are a few analytical types in your party, they’ll love the problem solving involved in a good game of laser tag. Use the element of surprise, master the terrain, and betray some friends along the way - it’s all in good fun (and also far less than an alternative like paintballing)!

Discover your new favourite thing - gaming meets go karting with our Combat Karts game! Did you and your friends grow up through the golden age of arcade games, or the PC gaming era? Get ready to live in that world again for the night - collect boosts and power ups as you soar across the track, and pick up weapons and rockets to throw at the opposition.

Ready to get your stag do activities booked in? At TeamSport, we can host groups of 12-150, and anyone over the age of 8 can use a go kart, so our venues are perfect for stag dos of any size or age group.

Once you’ve got your budget and dates in mind, figure out which of our 40+ go karting tracks is closest to you and call us to discuss a bespoke package and price.

Learn more about our Stag and Hen Do options here, and call TeamSport on 01252 732300 to book in a stag party that is unforgettable!

Top Tips for Organising the Ultimate Stag Do

 Lighter is not Always Faster | Follow our racing tips highlighting differences in driving style dependent on weight

Does Weight Affect Go Karting Speed? | Go Kart Weight Limit

Whether this is your first time racing around one of our indoor go karting tracks, or you’re simply tired of missing out on pole position and want to level up your racing skills, you might be wondering, how does weight affect go karting speed?

Weight can have a huge impact on the outcome of your race, and it’s important to know how to use it to your advantage and avoid it becoming a hindrance. This is where we come in! We have put together a guide to understanding how weight affects go karting speed and style, covering:

Does weight matter in go karting and e-karting?

Tips for getting the optimum weight for go karting success

Got the weight of the world on your shoulders trying to work out how to beat your most fierce opponent? Let’s find out how to use that weight to take top spot on the podium!

There is no hard and fast weight limit for go-karting - physique, height and width, and your ability to fit comfortably into a kart are all factors that play into go-karting safety.

At TeamSport we don’t have a specific weight limit for go-karting, but particularly tall, short or heavier drivers may find driving uncomfortable or may not be able to fit in the karts. If you are unsure, feel free to visit your local venue and try sitting in a kart first to ensure it will be comfortable and safe for you to drive before you book in a session.

Weight is one of the most important elements of go karting as it can have an impact on all aspects of your performance, from how fast your go kart goes to whether you spin out on corners.

The lighter the total weight of the go kart, the easier it is to accelerate but the harder it is to keep control of. The heavier the total weight of the go kart, the more traction and stability you have but the longer it takes to accelerate.

There truly is no such thing as too heavy or light when it comes to go karting as both have their advantages and disadvantages. What matters most is understanding how to leverage your weight to gain a coveted spot on the podium. If you don’t use your weight to your advantage, you’ll expend more energy than you need to trying to maintain stability, speed and power. Learn more about why go karting can be so tiring.

When it comes to e-karting, weight still has an impact but to a much lesser extent because all e-karts are heavier than petrol go karts as they have batteries or motors. This means they tend to gain more traction and stability so you can battle it out for pole position without worrying as much about weight differences between you and your opponents.

Find out more about the differences between petrol and e-karts. 

While weight does matter, it doesn’t mean you need to be a specific weight to be able tear up the track and win your race. Go karting is a rip-roaringly fun activity that anyone can enjoy, whether you’re at a corporate event, a family day out or a stag/hen do. There are no go karting weight limits at TeamSport tracks, but your weight may impact how you approach the track, in other words, your go karting style.

If you are lighter than your opponents, use the corners to your advantage. By quickly turning corners without as much need for heavy braking, you’ll leave your competition in the dust. Equally, as you will gain less traction than heavier opponents, you may need to consider where to reduce acceleration so that you don’t compromise your stability.

If you are heavier than your opponents, make the most of the straights where you can build traction, enhance stability and race towards victory. While you will be more stable, this can make corners more challenging so you might decide to take a different racing line to lighter competitors in order to avoid losing precious time. Find out more about racing lines. 

So, now you know how weight affects go karting speeds and why it’s so important, you might be wondering how you can ensure you have the optimum weight for go karting success. 

There is absolutely no requirement to lose or gain any weight in order to beat out your competition, you simply need to understand how to distribute your weight within your go kart and use it to your advantage. That being said, nutrition is another key element of go karting success. Find out more in our recent blog post about how to prepare for go karting through nutrition.

Here are our top five tips for using weight to your advantage when racing:

Shift weight from left to right - As you approach a corner, shift your weight to either the left or the right, depending on which side the corner is on (shift it so that you’re leaning away from the corner). We know this sounds strange but taking the weight off the inside wheels will give you more stability. Take a look at our blog on how to lean in go karting which explains this technique in full. You can also learn more about how to improve your cornering more generally.

Shift weight backwards or forwards - Want to put the pedal to the metal on the straights? Shift your weight forwards to give you an extra boost when accelerating. Need to brake before approaching a challenging corner? Shift your weight backwards and remain cool, calm and collected as you slow down in perfect time to nail your corner. 

Be reactive - Even if you’ve gone go karting a hundred times, there’s no such thing as autopilot when it comes to racing. You never know what’s going to happen out on the track so you need to be prepared to adapt. As the chequered flag is waved, analyse your opponents’ movements and use your weight to respond to their performance. For example, if you notice someone is making cleaner corners than you, try shifting your weight further. If you’re repeatedly being overtaken, use your weight to accelerate faster on the straights. Learn more about defending your position.

Clothing - Clothing is a simple way that you can slightly modify the total weight of your go kart. While you’ll need to wear our signature overalls, what you wear underneath is up to you (check out our blog on what to wear go karting for guidance). If you want to add weight to your go kart, wear heavier trainers and layer up your clothing. To remove weight, choose your lightest shoes and clothing such as joggers instead of jeans.

Keep a low centre of gravity - This is less about weight and more about your body as a whole. Keeping as low a centre of gravity as possible can help keep your go kart stable and keeps you in control at all times, particularly around tricky hairpin bends. 

All that’s left to do is take a look at our karting packages, book your high-octane experience and put your newfound skills to work in a battle for first place! If you have any questions, please contact us today and take a look at our FAQs to learn more information.

How Does Weight Affect Go Karting Speed?

How Does Weight Affect Speed In Go Karting?

Are you wondering how to prepare for a go karting race? Take a look at our top go kart food & nutrition tips, from keeping hydrated to eating carbohydrates.

Go Kart Food & Nutrition Tips | How to Prepare for Go Karting

Whether this is your first time indoor go karting or you’re already a wizard on the track, you might be wondering how to prepare for a go karting race so that you’re guaranteed to top the podium every single time. 

While a winning performance is built around a number of factors, you do have a secret weapon at your disposal that, when used effectively, makes you unstoppable. What is it we hear you ask? Nutrition.

To help you tear up the track and leave your competitors behind, we have put together a guide on how to prepare for karting through nutrition, covering:

Why is nutrition important in go karting?

Common nutrition mistakes to avoid in go karting

Ready to unleash the power of nutrition on your competitors? Let’s go!

Yes, it’s important to learn about drifting in go karting, taking a hairpin bend and defending your position, but it’s equally as important to learn about how to prepare for go karting through nutrition.

Nutrition is a crucial factor in go karting as it has a direct impact on your performance. It can affect your endurance and energy levels which are needed to sustain your lead on the track. Nutrition also helps (or hinders if nutrition is poor) with concentration and reaction times, ensuring you have lightning-fast reflexes on race day. It even supports with building muscle strength so you can reduce the risk of cramping or injury.

Just as your go kart needs petrol and e-kart needs electricity, you also need to fuel your body if you want to take the gold medal.

We’ve all heard the saying ‘fail to prepare, prepare to fail’ and this is especially true when it comes to go karting. The race doesn’t begin when you step onto the track, it starts in the days and even weeks leading up to the main event.

That’s right, you don’t need to be practising and doing laps everyday to become a winner, focusing on your nutrition and ensuring you’re in the best health and fitness possible will help you clinch the victory.

Here are our top five go kart food and nutrition tips that will take your racing to the next level:

Eat carbohydrates and protein - Ahead of race day, it’s crucial to reduce as much fat as possible, so protein and carbohydrates such as chicken, eggs, fish, rice, potatoes and pasta are great. Complex carbohydrates are also important, including fruit and vegetables. A good mixture of carbs and protein will help you sustain your energy levels and speed to victory! If you’re wondering why go karting is so tiring, it might be that you’re not eating enough carbs and protein before your race.

Have a balanced diet - While carbohydrates and protein are the best food groups for racing success, it’s just as important to keep your diet balanced. Whether you’re having chicken, pasta or fish, pair them with vegetables and keep fatty/sugary foods to a minimum.

Meal timing - The night before your race, ensure you don’t eat your dinner too late so you have plenty of time to digest. The same applies for your breakfast! Also, eating a meal just before your race can add extra weight to your go kart which affects your overall performance. Learn more about how weight impacts speed in go karting.

Keep hydrated - As we’ve already mentioned, drinking too much or too little can have a negative impact on your race so it’s important to make sure you keep hydrated without going overboard. Water is the best drink you can have, although if you want something with more flavour, try a sports drink with electrolytes in it.

Bring snacks - Snacks are a true hero in racing! You want to avoid eating too much or too little before your race but still need to ensure you stock up on carbs and protein, so snacks are the way forward. Some of the best pre-race snacks include nuts, fruit and protein bars.

So you’ve loaded up on carbs, kept yourself hydrated, put the pedal to the metal and placed first on the podium…now what? 

The second you’ve shaken the hands of your opponents, it’s time to celebrate! After all your hard work and determination, you will have worked up an appetite so treat yourself to a meal of champions. At TeamSport, our tantalising go kart food menu has something for everyone, including sumptuous pancakes, sharing nachos and light bites such as mozzarella sticks. 

Not in the mood for go kart food after claiming your victory? We also have mouth watering drinks such as thick milkshakes, refreshing smoothies and alcoholic beverages. Check out our full food and drinks offering.

With indulgent go kart food and plenty of drinks flowing, it’s the perfect end to a fiercely fun day of racing. The only question left to ask is, when’s your next race?

Common nutrition mistakes to avoid when go karting

Whether you’re having an adrenaline-filled family day out or a unique corporate event, you’ll want to do everything you can to stay ahead of the competition. As important as it is to consider how to prepare for a go karting race, it’s equally as vital to understand how not to prepare.

If you want to avoid being beaten by your opponents on the track, there are several nutrition mistakes you need to steer clear of:

Eating a full meal just before - We’ve all been there, where we’ve enjoyed a delicious, hearty meal…and then immediately needed a nap. If you eat a big meal before your race, it can make you feel lethargic and uncomfortable. In some instances, it can even make you feel sick, which is the last thing you want to be worrying about as you rip around the track.

Hydrating too much - While hydration is one of the key elements to go karting success, you don’t want to drink too much water minutes before heading out on the track as you may need to cut your race short to go to the toilet. Even if you don’t need to forfeit the competition, it will likely still impact your concentration, paving the way for your opponent to overtake you. Learn more about how to avoid being overtaken.

Not eating or drinking enough - While eating and drinking too much before your race isn’t ideal, the same can be said for the opposite. If you don’t eat enough, you won’t have the energy needed to steal the win from your competitors. If you don’t drink enough, you could become dehydrated which may cause dizziness or headaches and mean you need to sit out on the race altogether.

Eating the wrong kinds of food - It’s really important to sustain your energy throughout race day so you should avoid sugary foods that will give you a quick burst of energy followed by a slump. We’ll talk more about what types of food to eat to nail your go karting nutrition in the next section.

Experience a thrilling go karting session with TeamSport today

Whether you’re wanting to hone your racing skills, celebrate a kid’s birthday or organise a stag or hen do to remember, book one of our 40+ go karting tracks across the UK and prepare for a high-octane experience. 

You can contact us today for our various karting packages available and take a look at our FAQs to learn more information.

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BIKC 2024 FINALS

RACE FOR DIVERSITY

Top Tips for Organising the Ultimate Stag Do

How Does Weight Affect Speed In Go Karting?

Go Karting Nutrition Tips