How to drive on a road coarse?

[sickmint79]

find your local bmw chapter and go to a track school with them. one of the most active groups around.

[track_warrior]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

There's a ton of help/text out on the internet to read, but IMO, the best thing you can do is just go in with an open head prepared to learn. Acknowledge that you don't know anything and listen to your instructor. If there really is such a thing as the "best driver in the world" then that means everyone else is the world is doing it WRONG

For novices, I would never suggest trail braking, so for now, complete your braking before you turn. Later you can carry braking into a turn, but that's not something you want to worry/think about in your first event IMO.

Concentrate on driving smooth, learning the line, being consistent and be aware of what's around you at all times. Look far ahead and check mirrors, etc. Technique will change over time, but the basics won't.

I agree with dave on this!! I think you should find a good school or a buddy that knows what he is doing and do a lead follow.

[SupraLove]

Originally Posted by Mburolla

This is a cool analogy:

Think of your car as a bath full of water. When you brake, what happens to all that water? It goes rushing to the front of the bath. As you accelerate, it rushes back. Then as you turn right, the water sloshes over to the left and the opposite is true when you turn the other direction.

Pretty simple, but this is the same motion the car goes through when braking, accelerating and turning. The load is constantly shifting and when that load is all on the front, for instance, the rear is totally unloaded. Our main focus for a turn is to keep the platform (or bath water) as flat as possible. When we brake, of course the weight shifts hard to the front. But by releasing the brake gently and consistently we can minimize aggressive weight transfer causing the car to get out of shape.

Nice Initial D reference.. Lol.

But yes. Basically just concentrate on being smooth with your inputs. Don't jerk the car around. Rev match on the downshifts so the car stays smoothly planted on the road. Brake BEFORE entering a corner. And most of all, LISTEN TO YOUR INSTRUCTOR. Do all of these things, you should have no problem getting up to speed (no pun intended) on the track. And DO NOT FORGET to have fun!

[AZP Installs]

Here in the Northeast your best bet is to go to an HPDE event. When is started 10+ years ago you needed 2-3 days in each run group before moving up. NASA also gives a few hours of Classroom instruction as well.

As for car prep, at least 1x a season you need to change your brake fluid (full flush) and for pads something like HP+ are a good bet if you are in group 2 or 3. Tires would be next, a good set of summer tires are all you need to start out. If you have tires that are too good, you will mask where you need to focus your practice on.

-mike


11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.
Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.
AIM: AZP Installs | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.2971 | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber
"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

[Texas BRZ]

It took me a solid two years to understand this, but the most crucial thing that I've finally figured and opened my mind to understanding is that I have to learn how to be a SLOW driver before I want to become a FAST driver.

Take your time on learning... Because everyone learns uniquely, and focusing on yourself and your natural ability is most beneficial.

[ayau]

my very first track event was with my brz. after participating in a couple events, it makes you appreciate the car even more.

sure, the stock tires suck as far as nailing the best times, but it's a lot easier learn on the stock tires and develop your racing fundamentals. sometimes i have to remind myself not to buy a set of star specs until i've learned how to properly drive this car.

edit:
make sure your seat belt is hugging your body firmly. anyone having suggestions on better harnesses for the OEM seat? it's difficult to gauge your car when your body is swinging side to side.

[AZP Installs]

Originally Posted by ayau

my very first track event was with my brz. after participating in a couple events, it makes you appreciate the car even more.

sure, the stock tires suck as far as nailing the best times, but it's a lot easier learn on the stock tires and develop your racing fundamentals. sometimes i have to remind myself not to buy a set of star specs until i've learned how to properly drive this car.

edit:
make sure your seat belt is hugging your body firmly. anyone having suggestions on better harnesses for the OEM seat? it's difficult to gauge your car when your body is swinging side to side.

Welcome to the addiction....

-mike


11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.
Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.
AIM: AZP Installs | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.2971 | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber
"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

load a game like Gran Turismo and get gold for all the licenses, this should give you the knowledge foundation that you can apply in real life.

still pictures and text can only say so much, watching things happen in real time is where it's at.

Impossible

[ill86]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

Most out here require sign off, not all students are ready at the end of a day, hell most aren't IMO.

Same in my neck of the woods..

[ill86]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

I recommend you go on Amazon and buy this book. It breaks it all down and makes it very easy to understand.

This is excellent. I have received and taught this book/course.

[Rejor11]

Take a look at some videos out there. I know i've placed a few up. Maybe this will give you a bit of an idea, maybe not.

Either way, an HPDE event is probably the best one to learn how to drive on a racetrack. Also, remember it's all about safety too. Every track has a corner you need to respect: if you feel like you can take it faster, you probably can, but is it worth it? Probably not.

Don't rush into going fast, learn the lines first, then your speed will come naturally. One suggestion I have is learning each corner separately rather than all at once. Once you figure out the line in one corner, move on to the next one that gives you trouble.

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by fatoni

Impossible

what's impossible?

[dsgerbc]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

what's impossible?

The only useful thing GT/Forza can teach a person - is how to find the through the corners. Their tire/damage model is very misleading and dangerous. So all in all, even though learning the fast line might be usefull at some point, I'd be recommend that anyone about to start tracking their car completely purge everything they know from GT/F games.

iRacing is a lot more useful though. A lot more realistic tire model, and will fairly accurately represent how easy it is to stuff it into the wall and how hard it is to catch a car if one pushes too hard.

[fastmike]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7iUKaPlBl8"]Trackday Comedy - FLATOUT - YouTube[/ame]
Who not to be..
FM