Camber describes the inward or outward tilt of the wheels when viewed from the front of the kart, measured in degrees from true vertical. Whilst most karting runs with zero or minimal camber due to the solid rear axle design, front wheel camber adjustments can be made to optimise tyre contact patches under specific conditions.
Camber types and applications:
- Negative camber: Wheels tilt inward at the top, occasionally used in wet weather to improve contact patch as the kart leans
- Positive camber: Wheels tilt outward at the top, rarely used in karting
- Zero camber: Wheels perfectly vertical, the standard setting for most conditions
Unlike cars, karts have limited camber adjustment due to their simple suspension-less design. When negative camber is applied, it's typically only 0.5-1.0 degrees and primarily benefits wet weather racing where the kart body roll can be more pronounced. Excessive negative camber reduces straight-line grip and can cause premature wear on the inside edge of tyres. Most successful kart setups use zero camber for dry conditions, relying instead on other geometry adjustments.