Driving at the limit and slip angle

[boxkita]

not sure what you are trying to accomplish. flogging your car on street tires without coaching isn't going to teach you much. Slip angle on street tires isn't the same as on slicks. However, if that's the stat you are chasing, Bentley has a section on slip angle. 5-15% is ideal. However getting all 4 tires at the perfect angle is unbelievably difficult, bordering on impossible. On race tires with a proper alignment with a suspension that can keep the tires gripping, but s a setup that teams spend lots of money on.

Ross will tell you to work on the corner before the fastest/longest straight. Master that corner, especially your exit speed. Then keep working through each corner before the next shorter straight. Whatever is left is of least importance.

If your data logger doesn't, get one. There's a number of apps that run on a cellphone. If you aren't reviewing your data after every session, you missing an opportunity to learn something. Aim has a collection of videos on how to use their system. You can use their lessons to apply to your data system.

If you don't keep a log of every session, you are missing opportunities to learn more. Ambient temperature and tire pressure are a starting point, as long as you use the same tire gauge every time (harbor freight vs longacre vs $$$$; doesn't matter). Log starting pressure and ending pressure. Adjust pressure to match handling, or use the chalk markers to determine the rollover on each tire. Once your tire pressure results in a consistent wear line, you can start chasing a more consistent lap time.

Coaching is worth every penny, assuming you can learn from the coach. Flying someone in seems overkill. Visit a track day with one of the car clubs. Porsche/Audi/Bmw usually have a couple of instructors who race. Ask for one of them. Expect them to ask you about vision references (a speed secret).

If you can't find a coach, get a gopro to focus on what you are doing behind the wheel. Match your actions with your car data. If your data logger can read obd2 data, determining steering angle tells you if you are over-steering. Also tells you how much throttle you are using and when.

At apex, that's when you start applying the throttle. By track out point, you should be at max throttle if not before. You should be max throttle until the next corner's braking point. Only enough brake to hit the apex at max traction (tire rollover wear mark will maxed here).

Keep in mind, running at this speed, will greatly increase tire & brake wear. You'll likely find your brake fluid needs to be changed more often. Oil changes will become mandatory after every track day. You don't have to do things, though. Invest in a good towing plan.

[andyk5]

Originally Posted by boxkita

not sure what you are trying to accomplish. flogging your car on street tires without coaching isn't going to teach you much. Slip angle on street tires isn't the same as on slicks. However, if that's the stat you are chasing, Bentley has a section on slip angle. 5-15% is ideal. However getting all 4 tires at the perfect angle is unbelievably difficult, bordering on impossible. On race tires with a proper alignment with a suspension that can keep the tires gripping, but s a setup that teams spend lots of money on.

Ross will tell you to work on the corner before the fastest/longest straight. Master that corner, especially your exit speed. Then keep working through each corner before the next shorter straight. Whatever is left is of least importance.

If your data logger doesn't, get one. There's a number of apps that run on a cellphone. If you aren't reviewing your data after every session, you missing an opportunity to learn something. Aim has a collection of videos on how to use their system. You can use their lessons to apply to your data system.

If you don't keep a log of every session, you are missing opportunities to learn more. Ambient temperature and tire pressure are a starting point, as long as you use the same tire gauge every time (harbor freight vs longacre vs $$$$; doesn't matter). Log starting pressure and ending pressure. Adjust pressure to match handling, or use the chalk markers to determine the rollover on each tire. Once your tire pressure results in a consistent wear line, you can start chasing a more consistent lap time.

Coaching is worth every penny, assuming you can learn from the coach. Flying someone in seems overkill. Visit a track day with one of the car clubs. Porsche/Audi/Bmw usually have a couple of instructors who race. Ask for one of them. Expect them to ask you about vision references (a speed secret).

If you can't find a coach, get a gopro to focus on what you are doing behind the wheel. Match your actions with your car data. If your data logger can read obd2 data, determining steering angle tells you if you are over-steering. Also tells you how much throttle you are using and when.

At apex, that's when you start applying the throttle. By track out point, you should be at max throttle if not before. You should be max throttle until the next corner's braking point. Only enough brake to hit the apex at max traction (tire rollover wear mark will maxed here).

Keep in mind, running at this speed, will greatly increase tire & brake wear. You'll likely find your brake fluid needs to be changed more often. Oil changes will become mandatory after every track day. You don't have to do things, though. Invest in a good towing plan.

Super helpful thanks. Haven’t finished reading Speed Secrets yet but so far I like it a lot.

[boxkita]

Ross teaches clinics. The Audi club in Seattle hosts a yearly track event that he shows up for. Worth every dollar.

check his virtual track walks - https://speedsecrets.com/virtual-track-walks/

if you have never done a track walk, contact your event organizer and ask if you can show up early to help setup the track. Riding around the track with someone who likely has 1000's of laps there is a fountain of knowledge.

[GrandSport]

Mike is dead on.
Get actual coaching. It's very different than HPDE instructors and way better that catalyst.

You dont even have a baseline. Odds are, you haven't even seen it done right. Just sitting 2 laps with a "real" coach with open you up and teach you a ton.

They'll also teach you to learn. You'll learn to watch your own videos and review your own data to find time.

I probably have close to 1500 laps at my track in multiple vehicles. I've probably had coaches 5 or 6 times at the very same track, let alone other tracks, and I still learn a ton every time I get a coach for the day.