Got a track related question? I'll try to answer.

[torqdork]

Originally Posted by ZDan

It is almost impossible to drive a car anywhere near its limits "braking only in a straight line". This type of advice or instruction is totally counterproductive and slows down the learning process. As a newb driver years ago, I didn't get anywhere my first track day until I quit trying to "brake only in a straight line".

It is much much easier to gradually trade braking for cornering than to get totally off the brakes and then try to turn in. The car just wants to push. Very awkward, very unnecessary.

Trail braking is NOT an "advanced technique"! As an instructor, I often have to reteach beginning drivers to get them over the brainwashing they've received about how to enter a corner.
At a ZCar convention a few years back, I was asked to go out on the autoX course with a friend's wife who was having a hard time. At the very first corner, which she entered just fine, she apologized for not "braking in a straight line"! I told her she was doing fine, not to worry about it. I did practically nothing else, and she was 2 seconds faster and had a helluva lot more fun driving the course, vs. being forced to "brake only in a straight line" which her previous two instructors had totally insisted on.

Trail-braking is faster because it is smoother, and it makes it infinitely easier to hit the apex as it takes advantage of the front grip you get from increased load on the fronts under braking, and of course it also allows you to carry more speed a bit deeper into the braking zone.

That's not to say that braking deeper is always better or faster overall, you can go too far. But if you aren't trail-braking some amount at corner entry, you're doing it wrong. You pretty much *have* to trail-brake to execute a proper line into most corners. This business about getting completely off the brakes before turning in is stupid, makes the car much more difficult to drive, and is totally unnecessary. I expect my students to be trail-braking pretty much immediately. It's easier, feels more natural, and is faster.

Makes sense, I'll try it at the next track day this Sunday starting with open corners and ample runoff!

[SubiePig]

Originally Posted by torqdork

Makes sense, I'll try it at the next track day this Sunday starting with open corners and ample runoff!

http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArticl...ng-Issues.aspx
Read number 2 as well.

[WolfpackS2k]

Based on comments I've read on this website it seems like German made Castrol Synthetic oil is the best to use for our cars if Track Duty is in mind.

Anyone know where I can locally purchase it within the Triangle area? (Raleigh being the best).

I'm gonna call up T Hoff & Turbo Time tomorrow and ask them, but otherwise I wouldn't know where to look.

[torqdork]

Originally Posted by ZDan

It is almost impossible to drive a car anywhere near its limits "braking only in a straight line". This type of advice or instruction is totally counterproductive and slows down the learning process. As a newb driver years ago, I didn't get anywhere my first track day until I quit trying to "brake only in a straight line".

It is much much easier to gradually trade braking for cornering than to get totally off the brakes and then try to turn in. The car just wants to push. Very awkward, very unnecessary.

Trail braking is NOT an "advanced technique"! As an instructor, I often have to reteach beginning drivers to get them over the brainwashing they've received about how to enter a corner.
At a ZCar convention a few years back, I was asked to go out on the autoX course with a friend's wife who was having a hard time. At the very first corner, which she entered just fine, she apologized for not "braking in a straight line"! I told her she was doing fine, not to worry about it. I did practically nothing else, and she was 2 seconds faster and had a helluva lot more fun driving the course, vs. being forced to "brake only in a straight line" which her previous two instructors had totally insisted on.

Trail-braking is faster because it is smoother, and it makes it infinitely easier to hit the apex as it takes advantage of the front grip you get from increased load on the fronts under braking, and of course it also allows you to carry more speed a bit deeper into the braking zone.

That's not to say that braking deeper is always better or faster overall, you can go too far. But if you aren't trail-braking some amount at corner entry, you're doing it wrong. You pretty much *have* to trail-brake to execute a proper line into most corners. This business about getting completely off the brakes before turning in is stupid, makes the car much more difficult to drive, and is totally unnecessary. I expect my students to be trail-braking pretty much immediately. It's easier, feels more natural, and is faster.

I applied your tips at a track day today. I wasn't consistent yet, but definitely felt the improvement of front end grip and ability to rotate using trail braking. It also wasn't as difficult as imagined and like you said, felt faster. To satisfy my curiosity, I did A/B comparisons using straight line and trail braking at the same corners during stints and the improvement with TB control was dramatic. It felt like I suddenly had a car with front downforce. More practice needed, but this has shown me a new way to hustle faster and safer, thanks.

[Gearhead1]

Is the DI seal failure a risk with an automatic transmission? Even with the AT, there are times at the track where I lift abruptly to rotate the car and then stand on it--like a couple of times each lap.

[Grip Ronin]

were can i find cheaper track day events $300 per day is crazy to drive on a strip of pavement

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Grip Ronin

were can i find cheaper track day events $300 per day is crazy to drive on a strip of pavement

Move to the west coast

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Gearhead1

Is the DI seal failure a risk with an automatic transmission? Even with the AT, there are times at the track where I lift abruptly to rotate the car and then stand on it--like a couple of times each lap.

I haven't seen any confirmed failures..

[WolfpackS2k]

Originally Posted by Grip Ronin

were can i find cheaper track day events $300 per day is crazy to drive on a strip of pavement

Um, just about every track on the east coast from VA/WV to Florida is cheaper than that. Not personally sure about tracks in NJ/NY though.

[Gearhead1]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

I haven't seen any confirmed failures..

Thanks. I would obviously be interested if anyone does become aware of a failure in an AT car.

[mistressmotorsports]

What's a good starting tire pressure recommendation for stock tires, a bit over 2 deg camber, and Eibachs. I can adjust during the day, just looking for a baseline. Auto Club Speedway if it matters. Thanks.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by normancw

Thanks for an excellent thread!

Would you recommend any of the supercharger kits for tracking reliably? I'm not looking for a lot of power, just some more mid-range torque.

The Innovate and Jackson Racing superchargers are proven. We happen to be dealers for both too. Haven't really seen the others on track much at all.

The Greddy turbo kit seems to be standing up well too.

[Stevo22]

@CSG Mike

Since you have the opportunity to drive multiple people's cars, what has been your experience with aftermarket exhaust and rear end lift? I know it is an issue, but have certain exhaust been worse and certain better? Was it eliminated with area (diffuser or aftermarket rear wing)?

Thanks

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Stevo22

@CSG Mike

Since you have the opportunity to drive multiple people's cars, what has been your experience with aftermarket exhaust and rear end lift? I know it is an issue, but have certain exhaust been worse and certain better? Was it eliminated with area (diffuser or aftermarket rear wing)?

Thanks

Using a wing to compensate is a band-aid. The real fix is to fill in the space with an exhaust that puts a cannister there, or to find another method to prevent that bubble from forming.