– ARTICLE –
= Tips for Competitive Driving =
Slow in,
Fast out
A concept that applies to nearly every motorsport that exists, the slow-in fast-out technique is one of the best ways to approach a corner. It may be tempting to stamp on the pedal as fast as you can and brake as late as possible (which sometimes does work out incredibly well), but in general it’s better to smoothly slow down when moving towards a corner, feathering the throttle lightly as you turn, and hitting the gas gradually as you exit. Be patient and methodical when taking the turn, and you’ll soon find that you’re shaving several tenths or even a whole second as you come out a corner!
It’s also a way to avoid tyre lockups. Braking hard may stop your wheels from spinning, but the car is still carrying momentum which drags the tyres along the road, which not only damages the rubber on your tyres (leading to patches on the affected surface) but also restricts your ability to turn. Instead of taking the turn, your car will understeer and plough straight ahead, ala Lewis Hamilton in the last few laps of the Baku GP in 2021.
Sudden braking for fun,
Gradual braking for lap times
Your brake pedal isn’t an on-off switch, it’s something that you can precisely control depending on the pressure you apply to it. So the question is, should you brake with as much force as you can, or gradually slow down without ever letting the pedal hit the floor? The answer is yes.
Each method achieves different results, and it all depends on what you’re looking for on a track day session. If you want to just have fun, then sudden braking followed by a turn can lead to oversteer. As you brake, the weight of the car shifts to the front, causing the rear tyres to lose grip. This paired with turning will let you swing your car’s tail out as you slide through a corner. And, provided you have good throttle control and a suitable car, you can maintain that initial kick of oversteer through a corner and initiate a drift! Otherwise, if you’re looking for a solid lap time, then losing grip is the last thing you’d want, so brake early and gradually to ensure you still maintain traction throughout a turn.
Knowing your
Drivetrain
FWD, RWD, AWD, what are these? These are drivetrain types that show where power from the engine (or motor) is being sent to. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is a common drivetrain type that can be found in many small hatchback, MPVs, and even some SUVs. They take the rotational energy provided by the engine and send it through the front wheels to move the car. From understanding this, I’m sure it’s easy for most to deduce that RWD and AWD talk about cars that send their power to the rear and all four wheels respectively.
FWD, RWD, AWD, what are these? These are drivetrain types that show where power from the engine (or motor) is being sent to. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is a common drivetrain type that can be found in many small hatchback, MPVs, and even some SUVs. They take the rotational energy provided by the engine and send it through the front wheels to move the car. From understanding this, I’m sure it’s easy for most to deduce that RWD and AWD talk about cars that send their power to the rear and all four wheels respectively.
Learning the
Racing Line
The quickest way around the track isn’t always the shortest distance, but rather about maximizing your average speed across the duration of a single lap with the skills mentioned previously. The easiest example would be when it comes to cornering. Technically, the shortest distance would be to hug the inside line of the turn. However, doing so requires you to slow down your car a lot as the turn is sharper and therefore you have to compensate for the car’s limited grip. The better way to go about the corner is to start from the outside of the corner just prior to reaching it, then moving the nose towards the inside, then hitting the throttle as you exit the corner. Minimise the time you spend turning and maximise throttle time. It’s hard to visualize through words, so do have a look at the handy little image we have here!
The basics of
Throttle Control
The quickest way around the track isn’t always the shortest distance, but rather about maximizing your average speed across the duration of a single lap with the skills mentioned previously. The easiest example would be when it comes to cornering. Technically, the shortest distance would be to hug the inside line of the turn. However, doing so requires you to slow down your car a lot as the turn is sharper and therefore you have to compensate for the car’s limited grip. The better way to go about the corner is to start from the outside of the corner just prior to reaching it, then moving the nose towards the inside, then hitting the throttle as you exit the corner. Minimise the time you spend turning and maximise throttle time. It’s hard to visualize through words, so do have a look at the handy little image we have here!
Tips for Competitive Driving
tips to up your driving game
BE A BETTER RACER ⦿ BE A BETTER RACER ⦿ BE A BETTER RACER ⦿ BE A BETTER RACER ⦿ BE A BETTER RACER ⦿ BE A BETTER RACER ⦿
Slow In,
Fast out
A concept that applies to nearly every motorsport that exists, the slow-in fast-out technique is one of the best ways to approach a corner. It may be tempting to stamp on the pedal as fast as you can and brake as late as possible (which sometimes does work out incredibly well), but in general it’s better to smoothly slow down when moving towards a corner, feathering the throttle lightly as you turn, and hitting the gas gradually as you exit. Be patient and methodical when taking the turn, and you’ll soon find that you’re shaving several tenths or even a whole second as you come out a corner!
It’s also a way to avoid tyre lockups. Braking hard may stop your wheels from spinning, but the car is still carrying momentum which drags the tyres along the road, which not only damages the rubber on your tyres (leading to patches on the affected surface) but also restricts your ability to turn. Instead of taking the turn, your car will understeer and plough straight ahead, ala Lewis Hamilton in the last few laps of the Baku GP in 2021.
Sudden braking for fun,
Gradual braking for lap times
Your brake pedal isn’t an on-off switch, it’s something that you can precisely control depending on the pressure you apply to it. So the question is, should you brake with as much force as you can, or gradually slow down without ever letting the pedal hit the floor? The answer is yes.
Each method achieves different results, and it all depends on what you’re looking for on a track day session. If you want to just have fun, then sudden braking followed by a turn can lead to oversteer. As you brake, the weight of the car shifts to the front, causing the rear tyres to lose grip. This paired with turning will let you swing your car’s tail out as you slide through a corner. And, provided you have good throttle control and a suitable car, you can maintain that initial kick of oversteer through a corner and initiate a drift! Otherwise, if you’re looking for a solid lap time, then losing grip is the last thing you’d want, so brake early and gradually to ensure you still maintain traction throughout a turn.
Knowing your
Drivetrain
FWD, RWD, AWD, what are these? These are drivetrain types that show where power from the engine (or motor) is being sent to. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is a common drivetrain type that can be found in many small hatchback, MPVs, and even some SUVs. They take the rotational energy provided by the engine and send it through the front wheels to move the car. From understanding this, I’m sure it’s easy for most to deduce that RWD and AWD talk about cars that send their power to the rear and all four wheels respectively.
FWD, RWD, AWD, what are these? These are drivetrain types that show where power from the engine (or motor) is being sent to. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is a common drivetrain type that can be found in many small hatchback, MPVs, and even some SUVs. They take the rotational energy provided by the engine and send it through the front wheels to move the car. From understanding this, I’m sure it’s easy for most to deduce that RWD and AWD talk about cars that send their power to the rear and all four wheels respectively.
Learning the
Racing Line
The quickest way around the track isn’t always the shortest distance, but rather about maximizing your average speed across the duration of a single lap with the skills mentioned previously. The easiest example would be when it comes to cornering. Technically, the shortest distance would be to hug the inside line of the turn. However, doing so requires you to slow down your car a lot as the turn is sharper and therefore you have to compensate for the car’s limited grip. The better way to go about the corner is to start from the outside of the corner just prior to reaching it, then moving the nose towards the inside, then hitting the throttle as you exit the corner. Minimise the time you spend turning and maximise throttle time. It’s hard to visualize through words, so do have a look at the handy little image we have here!