Karting Whilton Mill Track Guide

Here is how we coach drivers to tackle the Whilton Mill kart circuit. The lines work for just about all classes from Rotax Max to Cadet, but Cadet drivers will be able to brake much later at the braking points referenced here.

Take a look at the Whilton Mill Track Guide video below then check out the explanatory notes below including example driver drawn diagrams.

Whilton Mill Track Guide Videos

The key to this corner is to prepare your self for turn 2. It’s a corner where you sometimes have to sacrifice corner speed so you have your kart settled, and in place to attack the next corner to get a good run onto the straight

So, first off you need to pick a turn in point. If you look at the video I have identified a rough marker where to turn in. There is a small dent in the grass. This can act as your initial turn in point. The next point you must concern yourself with is the apex point of turn 1. The point you should aim for is at the end of the kerb. You can see this in the video it’s worth taking a little nibble at this kerb to make sure you are in good shape for turn 2.

At this point some drivers like to power brake. This is where you apply some brake pressure while keeping your foot on the throttle. The idea is to help balance the kart without dropping too many revs. I wouldn’t recommend it though if you only have one engine. This technique eats brake pads, and isn’t really good for your motor.

The important thing on turn 2 is to have the kart as straight as possible for the run up the hill. So remember to be careful, and smooth on the throttle. If you watch the video you can see how the driver has the kart stable.

As with any corner your posture in the kart is important. So my tip is to stay strong in the kart, and be careful not to lose control of your body weight as this can unsettle the kart. If you watch the video you can see how the driver is super solid in the seat.

If you are in a class with low grip tyres a little tip is too lean you body to the left a little on the exit of turn 2 while still remaining strong in the kart. This helps give grip to the outside wheels, that in turn helps give the kart some extra grip out of the corner.

The approach and braking zone to turn 3 is uphill. That means that you will be able to brake later than usual. First of all you must pick a braking point. In most class’s it is just before the marshal post on the left before the corner. As you reach this point hit the brakes nice and hard (this is demonstrated in the video). The kart might step out a little so make sure your posture is nice and secure.

Because turn 3 immediately goes into turn 4 imediately and onto a small straight you have to sacrifice corner speed from turn 3 so you can get a good run out of turn 4. To do this you must apex turn 3 late, so you’ll get a decent run out of 4.

If you watch the video you’ll notice the driver braking late, and when he gets to his turning point gradually turns the kart in, and comes off the brake and gradually onto the throttle while hitting his reference points.

Be careful not to snap the steering wheel at your turning point. You must remember to be gradual, and smooth on the steering wheel. So your turn in point is where your initiate turn in.

It is very important to have a late apex on turn 3, otherwise you will run too wide. This will inevitably cost you time as you will not be able to recover to get a good run out of 4.

Turn 4 is simple enough. It’s flat-out. You main priority is to get a good line into turn 5. You do this by taking a late apex on turn 4. This allows the kart to be ready for turn 5.

You won’t be carrying a lot of speed into turn 5, so once again braking nice and late is essential. The most common braking point is around the marshal post, and turn in point just after.

The key to this corner is exit. Though you cannot see this on the video, on the exit of this corner there is a line that runs down the middle of the circuit. You should treat as your reference point for the exit.

So the key is to hit a late apex, as demonstrated on the video, and then on the exit make sure you don’t drift too wide over the line in the centre of the track. If you do you won’t be able to recover for the next sequence of turns.

Once again hitting the late apex is the order of the day. The exit out of 8 is on to a short straight, so a good exit out of this corner is essential. But how good your exit is out of turn 8 is all down to turn 6, and 7.

Going into turn 6 run the inside of the corner with a nice late apex. The important thing is how you have your kart is prepared for turn 7, so make sure you are nice and easy on the throttle. You will feel at first like you are too far over. But you’re not.

Turn 7 has a kerb, which you can nibble. You can go nice and late on the kerb. At this point you will probably feel like you will never make turn 8, but trust the kart it will make the late apex on turn 8.

What is important through these 3 corners is how you balance the throttle. Remember to be gradual on the throttle keeping the kart nice and stable.

But throughout the whole sequence of these corner prioritise your exit from turn 8.

This is quite an easy part of the track to reference point. You braking point is just before the marshal post, and your turn in point is just before the end of the kerb.

If you watch the video you’ll notice how hard the driver hits the brake. This causes the kart to step sideways a little. But this actually sets the kart up for the corner. You must aim for a nice late apex here. What you’ll notice if you look at the driver notes is that there is pit exit painted on the circuit.

This is great for referencing. You should take corner nine as if you were to enter the pit late. This means an ultra late apex. This gives you a great entry in 10.

This is the corner that many drivers will run too hot into and run wide. This will cause them a loss of time in and out of 10. So remember – slow in, fast out!

Like most corners at Whilton Mill take a nice late turn into 10. Once again to be careful on the throttle keeping the kart balanced. You don’t want the kart to step out.

On the video the driver takes a nice tight line out of 10, which is fine. But some drivers like to run a wall of death on the exit. It is longer that way, but you can get on the throttle earlier. From my experience both produce the same results. It’s really up to you which one you take.

Turn 11 follows on to a long straight, so exit speed is key. If you watch the video you can see Tony Kart works driver Gary Catt attack the corner. The approach to this corner feels very fast so it is important to have reference points so you have confidence in where the kart is. The most important point is turn in. You’ll see that Gary Catt is using the beginning of the kerb on the left as his reference. Be sure to be gradual on the turn in. You don’t want the kart to step out on exit and blow your exit speed.

The key here is to get real early on the throttle. In some classes this corner will be flat towards the end of a race as the tyres reach optimum temperature.

But if you watch the video you can see how early Gary Catt is on the throttle. Be careful not just to slam the throttle. Being smooth, and gradual is the key!

Whilton Mill Karting Track Guide