Analysing 2 Years of Karting Fitness Stats
I've been karting for two years, competing in the Endurance Prokart Series at Clay Pigeon in Dorset, England. Recently, I’ve branched out into indoor karting at TeamSport and started my first season in the British Universities Karting Championship (BUKC). Growing up, I played football, but the thrill of adrenaline and the relentless pursuit of the perfect lap have kept me hooked since 2022.
This is just the beginning of my story, but I’ve tracked every second I’ve been in the kart over the past two years. Today, I'm diving into the gathered data to see what lessons we can pull from it. The data were collected using a Garmin Fenix 5 watch (until February 2023) and a Garmin Fenix 6X Pro watch (from March 2023 onward). Each session was tracked on Strava (you can check it all out through this link).
While these wrist-worn devices aren’t as precise as professional equipment, the insights are still valuable for understanding the demands of karting on the body.
Here’s what I learned:
1. Endurance is everything
Karting, especially in endurance formats, pushes the limits of stamina. In some sessions, I burnt upwards of 1,600 calories. To sustain energy and focus for these lengths, endurance training is non-negotiable. I’ve found that incorporating long-duration cardio, like cycling or running, and strength endurance workouts have been essential to maintaining stamina.
2. High peak heart rates reflect high-intensity
During races, my heart rate often reaches and exceeds 150 bpm. This shows how intense karting can be on the cardiovascular system, even though it seems that all we do is sit in the kart. To prepare for this, I’ve added interval running training to my routine, mimicking the sudden bursts of effort needed on the track. The goal is to improve my cardiovascular efficiency and help my body better handle the stress of racing.
3. Different circuits and Karts offer different challenges
Although most of my sessions have been at Clay Pigeon, I’ve also noticed varying physical demands at other circuits like TeamSport Gosport (indoor) and Whilton Mill. Each track layout presents unique challenges that impact my heart rate and calorie burn. They have also been in different karts. I’m used to driving a Prokart at Clay Pigeon, but the single session at Whilton Mill was in a Club 100 2-stroke kart. Understanding these differences will help me tailor my training to address specific track demands as I compete at different tracks in different karts.
4. Summer heat Increases physical stress
Heat is a huge factor in karting, especially in summer when I wear multiple layers on track. In 90-minute endurance races, with no chance to rehydrate, the heat can become overwhelming. Over the years, I’ve learned to adjust my hydration strategy and use cooling techniques when I can.
5. Consistent training pays off
The data also shows slight decreases in average heart rate over time, indicating improved fitness. Consistent training has helped me become more efficient, allowing me to keep my heart rate lower for the same intensity. This is a great reminder that small improvements add up when done consistently.
Final Thoughts
The past two years have been a rollercoaster. I earned my first race win 364 days after my debut, but I've also faced many setbacks, including races I couldn't finish due to kart issues. No matter where I place on the grid, my biggest competitor is always myself. My focus is on improving with each race, aiming to beat my previous performance instead of comparing myself to others in different stages of their motorsport journey.
I’m aware that I’m still new to motorsport. At 24, I’m just beginning, while many drivers have had years of experience by the time they’re eight years old. But that hasn’t discouraged me. Every lap is a chance to learn and grow.
For the full dataset, click here to see for yourself on Google Sheets.
