What we've learned on the track

[Mark Dreyer]

Originally Posted by eslai

Some things I've learned from the track.

1. Listen to your tires.
2. Brake early.
3. Don't overestimate how fast you can enter a turn.
4. Be on the throttle or on the brakes. Don't coast.
5. Be smooth with your throttle pedal.
6. Don't lift throttle in a committed turn.
7. When you go off, don't try to be a hero and fight momentum in an attempt to get back on track. You'll flip.
8. Don't drive on the street like you do on the track.

Umm... none of that is from personal experience, of course, oh no no no!

I can take exception to #4 above. I generally agree and teach my students this also. However there is a slight exception to this general rule. Having worked with pro driving coaches, including riding while they drive, they have taught "rolling the car into the turn". After coming off the brakes they coast for a second into the apex prior to going to the gas for track out. The car is simply carrying so much pace due to not over braking that they can't immediately go to power in the turn.

Attached is a pic of my 986 S taken at Road Atlanta.

[stjoh]

What kind of wing is that?

[Mark Dreyer]

Originally Posted by stjoh

What kind of wing is that?

I'd have to do a little digging in my buildout archives to get you the exact supplier info. I will do so if you'd like. I modded this car for the track about three years ago. The wing and rear deck was included, with the deck made out of fiberglass. It was around $1500. I think it probably slows me down a bit on the long straights but in hard braking zones and high speed sweepers such as Bishop's Bend at Sebring, I can really tell a difference in terms of car stability.

[stjoh]

Not urgent but at some point I think I'd like to add something like that to my car.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by Mark Dreyer

I can take exception to #4 above. I generally agree and teach my students this also. However there is a slight exception to this general rule. Having worked with pro driving coaches, including riding while they drive, they have taught "rolling the car into the turn". After coming off the brakes they coast for a second into the apex prior to going to the gas for track out. The car is simply carrying so much pace due to not over braking that they can't immediately go to power in the turn.

Attached is a pic of my 986 S taken at Road Atlanta.

In those situations, I have found it better to enter the corner faster, trail brake into the turn, and get on the throttle the moment you come off of the brake. Done correctly, this is generally faster than coasting into the turn.

[jaykay]

Originally Posted by Mark Dreyer

I can take exception to #4 above. I generally agree and teach my students this also. However there is a slight exception to this general rule. Having worked with pro driving coaches, including riding while they drive, they have taught "rolling the car into the turn". After coming off the brakes they coast for a second into the apex prior to going to the gas for track out. The car is simply carrying so much pace due to not over braking that they can't immediately go to power in the turn.

Attached is a pic of my 986 S taken at Road Atlanta.

How is the balance of your car with no front splitter and the huge wing (nice one by the way)?