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Contents

1. Basic Information

2. Track Details

3. Track Layout

4. Track Guide

5. Other Information

6. Current Driver Laptimes

Basic Information

Location: Leeds
Length: 580m
Karts: 270cc Sodi
HUGS Record: 42.583 (Jon Beagles)

Track Details

Pole Position Indoor Karting, Leeds, is a top venue, probably one of the best indoor tracks in the country, and just about close enough to be a regular feature on the HUGS calendar. A very interesting lay-out, with the start-finish straight going under the pits, but easily the most physical and demanding track visited, and 110% commitment is required at every part of the circuit in order to get the best laps in. Unlike over tracks we visit, it is not one where a driver can instantly be competitive, it usually takes 2 or 3 trips to get used to beforehand. For this reason, before a big inter-uni race there, we look to go to the track at least a couple of times in the weeks leading up in order to get some much needed practice in.

The track is very narrow in places, making overtaking difficult, and an absolute haven for the defensive drivers within, as a handful of drivers will testify! The karts are extremely heavy and very responsive, and require a certain technique, you cannot brake and turn harshly at the same time otherwise you will spin. They are however the most comfortable karts on a track we visit, and have a nice cosmetic finish, and brake lights, though how useful these actually are is debateable. One final thing to be taken into account is the fact that the marshals can at times be very harsh with black flags, and doing the slightest thing wrong can result in a black flag and a return to the pits.

Track Layout

Track Guide

As previously mentioned, the start/finish straight goes under the pits, and Turn 1 is the first of many hairpins on the circuit. This particular one is a right-hander, and is definitely the best overtaking opportunity. If on your own, a traditional outside line is favourable, but be aware of people attempting to pass. Similarly, if a kart in front of you is going much slower, a punt up the inside might not be a bad idea. You are also most at risk of spinning at this corner than any other if you brake and turn and the same time, so take it easy the first few laps.

Turn 2 is a strange one, a left-right-left chicane. Enter in the middle of the track, then brake just as you prepare to go left, then flick the kart to the right for the next bit. That way you can accelerate out of the corner easily.

Turn 3 is a left hander, immediately followed by a sharp rise up a bridge. Make sure you are done with turning  (it can easily be done flat) before you start to ascend, otherwise your speed up the bridge will be compromised. At the bottom of the other side of the bridge is Turn 4, another right-handed hairpin, though not a great opportunity for overtaking unless the other kart is going much slower. Again, a traditional outside line is the best, and this is immediately followed by Turn 5, a left-hand hairpin, which requires a quick dab on the brakes upon entrance. A good exit is essential, as Turn 6 is a long, sweeping left hander that can easily be taken flat, though should one slightly lift on their first couple of laps whilst getting warmed up, they’ll be forgiven!

Then comes Turn 7, another left-hander, which is immediately followed by a sharp dip whilst going under the bridge between turns 3 and 4. You have two options, either a tight inside line on entrance of Turn 7, which is quicker but will mean you will be airborne very briefly as you go over the dip, or the outside line, which will give a much smoother ride. Turn 8 is straight after, a sweeping right-hander which can again just about be taken flat, though at times a slight lift may be necessary, (turn 6 is definitely easier to take flat than turn 8), as you have  to ensure you are over to the right hand side of the track in time for Turn 9.

Turn 9 is a left-hand hairpin, though try not to drift wide on the exit as Turn 10 immediately follows, a right-hand hairpin which can be taken flat as you wont be going that fast at this point. Again, a good, quick exit is vital, as its flat out until Turn 1 of the next lap. A flat-out right-hander (Turn 11) separates these two corners.

One last thing to consider is the pit lane. The entrance lies on the entrance to Turn 11, though the entrance is to the left while the track goes off to the right. As soon as you enter, you have to turn right whilst climbing about 10 feet up a steep hill, so be sure to carry plenty of speed up the hill, as karts have been known to become stuck and roll back down. The exit of the pits involves a steep drop, again of about 10 feet, and be careful as you go round to the point where you rejoin the track, as its possible to get stuck between the barriers. As you reach the exit point, stop, and you’ll be waved on by a marshal. Failure to stop will result in a black flag and a swift return to the pits.

Other Information

Current Driver Laptimes

UPDATED ON 25th JANUARY 2010

Jon Beagles       – 42.583
Mark Foley        – 43.026
Josh Overhill     – 43.029
Pip Hammond       - 43.129
Imran Khan        - 43.134
Daniel Naylor     - 43.198
Tom Smith         – 43.445
Nick Drewett      – 43.500
Paul Greenbaum    - 43.523
Sam Jackson       – 43.606
Marcus Stuttard   – 43.645
Adam Hibberd      - 43.974
Ian Simmons       – 44.017 
Keith Herbert     – 44.123
Will Russell      – 44.254
Phil Skop         – 44.636 
Tom Buxton        – 44.674 
Liam Lau          – 44.680 
Mike Miller       – 44.783
Pete Szedlak      – 44.892 
Roger Palmer      – 44.954
Alex Tweed        – 45.534 
Tom Race          – 45.603 
Paul Hutton       – 45.786
Colin Smith-Bowen – 46.555
Preece Stewart    - 47.198
Amy Charles       - 47.426
Dave McDermott    - 47.687