Phil Smith looking smart at Kartmasters photo
kartpix
Phil Smith is a master of TKM at 3 Sisters and
this is just about as perfect a track guide as you can get. So have
a look at Smithy winning a round of the Motors TV challenge
from 17th position!! check out his proper wicked
celebration, and then read the text below for a top class track
guide to the Wigan 3 Sisters Kart Circuit
Turn 1
Going into the first corner at the end of the
main straight you need to have your left front wheel right on the
edge of the white line, and there is a point where the tarmac visibly
changes, this is the braking point. Turn in straight from the braking
point to the apex of the corner while still braking as there’s
loads of grip here. Apex as early or as late as you want because
it doesn’t really make that much difference to exit speed,
braking is the real key for this corner, it really is the later
you brake, the faster you go!
Turn 2
After the first corner the track bends left into
a hairpin, this left is easily flat out but still go over to the
right before turning left to avoid going off. The hairpin itself
has also got a change of tarmac that can be used to memorise your
braking point, start just before and push more and more each lap.
The key to this corner is mid corner speed as well as exit. The
apex is slap bang in the middle of the corner and if you miss it
by an inch it can cost you 3 tenths. Turn in and hold the kart on
the inside of the corner until you plant you foot and let the kart
float off to the rumble strip on the left.
Turn 3
Coming off the hairpin you’re already on
the left hand side, stay there and there’s a small triangular
bit of grass apart from the rest on the left hand side, turn just
before your get to this. This corner is flat when its really hot
but sometimes you need to lift or just drag the brake a little to
stop the kart floating off to the left for the next corner.
Turn 4
This turn is one of the most important corners
on the circuit and is an immense spot for lunging on the brakes.
Entering the corner you want to be about half way across the track,
maybe a touch to the right. A lot of people go right across to the
right hand side but it’s not fast. Turning in needs to be
sharp and when you get to the apex hold the kart on the inside and
plant you foot down, people lose a lot of time messing about on
the rumble strip on the right hand side coming out of the corner,
but holding it on the inside that tiny bit longer cures that.
Turn 5
There is a small straight after turn 4 into this
corner, you need to be on the very right hand edge of the track,
and like turn 3 this corner can be flat out on a really hot day
but normally a drag on the brake or a lift is needed. A lot of people
take this corner with a late turn in, but turning in earlier is
faster. The only thing that can visually be used for the turning
point is the rubber marks on the track. When in the corner try and
choke the speed almost by turning more on the steering wheel to
stop the kart drifting out to the inside of the next corner.
Turn 6
THE most important corner on the circuit is lunar.
A really difficult corner to master. Entering the corner you should
have the inside of your front right wheel on the line down the middle
of the track, and there are two white spots on the track. One kart
length ahead of these turn in after braking and floor the throttle
straight away to stabilise the back end. There is a small grey kerb
just infront of the red and white one, your front wheel needs to
be on the edge of this all the way round with your foot down and
then you’ll float off toward the rumble strip on the left.
The track then goes right, not sharply but it should be ignored
because if your not tight then people can overtake you just going
onto the line.
The trick to 3 sisters is balls, just brake later!
Smithy
Here's another round of the Motors TV Challenge
that Phil wins in case you aren't convinced that he's the Daddy
Mac!!
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