Preparing for the 2026 kart racing season

The 2026 season is still a few months away for Toronto kart racers, but Zachary is preparing for the challenges ahead. He is using his break time wisely with daily SIM practice and strength training at home and in the gym to get race fit. In March, he'll travel to the UK to work with Protrain, a kart training program that runs at Whilton Mill and the brand new karting facility at Silverstone.

Build consistency in the SIM

Zachary in the Next Level Racing Go Kart Plus simulator

Simulator training is key to Zachary’s karting off-season routine. The simulator lets him practice every corner, braking point and acceleration zone without wear and tear on equipment or weather concerns. The latter is especially important since we're having a truly Canadian winter with lots and lots of snow and bitter cold!

Zachary reviews telemetry and replays after each session to identify small mistakes and then he tries again. He has been able to progressively focus his training, first on achieving crystal clean laps, followed by consistent lap times. The next step is perfecting his racecraft to build speed on those clean, consistent laps.

The simulator is also helping Zachary mentally prepare for new tracks as the Dinescu Racing team is investing in a trailer to attend more regional events this year. By learning the layouts in advance, he'll be able to hit the ground running when real racing begins.

Race-focused personal training

Zachary’s trainer plays a vital role in his karting off-season development. Training is laser-focused on core, neck and upper body strength and conditioning to help him build stamina while maintaining control and stability during races. This video from Zachary's YouTube channel provides an example that other racers can use for their own karting fitness programs.

Protrain Kart Racing School

In March, Zachary will attend Protrain, a highly regarded kart training program known for developing top international kart racers. Their racing program offers one-on-one coaching and intensive on-track sessions to help prepare racers for the demands of a full season.

Zachary will learn from seasoned coaches with over 40 years' experience in kart racing. The program will help him hone his skills and improve his speed and consistency to get ready for the spring.

2026 Karting Season

Zachary’s approach shows how make the most of the off season. His daily simulator work, strength training sessions and Protrain experience will all contribute to strong performances on the track. We can expect to see these improvements when the green flag waves for the first race of the season. We can't wait to share updates all year long!

Please visit the sponsor page and show some love to the people who are supporting Dinescu Racing on and off the track. We couldn't do it without them. The 2026 sponsor package is live now and there is still room for you to join the team!