Ask Ross
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Got questions? I’ve got answers. This is where I post answers to the many questions I receive. You may find the answer to a question you have here (you can use the “Search” tool), but if not, you have two options:
- If you want the answer immediately, sign up for my SpeedSecrets.ai app (think of it as “Google on steroids, focused solely on performance/race driving,” or “ChatGPT trained to only pull from the 5 million+ words and content I’ve personally created”)
- If you can wait until I get to your question, email it to me.
Q: How do I get better at driving blind corners, such as Turns 2 & 3 at Road Atlanta?
Q: “You must have had this question dozens of times: At Road Atlanta, I struggle with the turns 2 and 3 sequence, which, as you know is blind. What is the technique and thought process when entering that sequence of turns, and what track references do you use?”
Q: What is the apex of a corner, and what do I do with it?
Q: “What exactly is the apex of a corner, and what do I do with this information?”
Q: How do I retain focus in an endurance race?
Q: “Can you recommend some resources on retaining focus in endurance racing?
Q. As an HPDE instructor, should I tell my student about faster cars approaching from behind?
As an HPDE instructor, should I tell my student about faster cars approaching from behind?
Q: What’s causing my rear tires to wear on the outside of the tread more than the front tires?
Q: “My rear and front tires are showing consistent temp across the tread surface, but I’ve noticed my rear tires are wearing excessively on the outer side. What is causing this and what can I do to address this?”
Q: How can trail braking both help and hurt turning or rotating the car into a corner?
Q: How can trail braking both help and hurt turning or rotating the car into a corner?
Q: What do you recommend for a video and/or data setup?
Q: What do you recommend for a video and/or data setup?
Q: When and where should I upshift my Porsche Cayman going up the Esses at Watkins Glen?
Q: “I recently started racing my Cayman S at Watkins Glen and I’m hooked! I bought your Virtual Track Walk and my dad gave me your book. You talk about upshifting into turn two at Watkins as you enter the Esses and when I have entered, I’m in third. My thought is I want higher RPMs for the elevation change, usually shifting into fourth after turn 3. Is my thinking wrong here? Do I want to be in fourth through the Esses?”
Q: Is there a benefit in practice driving on track with just one hand on the steering wheel?
Q: “I’m curious – Do you ever practice with only your non-dominant hand? I sometimes think my left hand is only copying my right, and so is out of sync, or even actively fighting my right hand. When I practice with one hand, it is very obvious when I am reacting to the actual car, versus making unnecessary inputs. But maybe there is a better alternative?”
Q: Why would braking earlier and lighter for a corner ever be beneficial?
Q: “I’ve heard your advice that sometimes it’s best to brake lighter, rather than as late and hard as possible. If you started braking lighter at the same place entering a corner, wouldn’t that suggest that you’re not quite at the limit under braking? And wouldn’t that make you slower because you don’t have the car at the limit?”
Got Questions?
Get Immediate Answers
Skills
Types
Subscriptions
Got questions? I’ve got answers. This is where I post answers to the many questions I’ve received. You may find the answer to a question you have here, but if not, you have two options: If you want the answer immediately, sign up for my SpeedSecrets.ai app (think of it as “Google on steroids, focused solely on performance/race driving”), or email it to me.
Q: How do I get better at driving blind corners, such as Turns 2 & 3 at Road Atlanta?
Q: “You must have had this question dozens of times: At Road Atlanta, I struggle with the turns 2 and 3 sequence, which, as you know is blind. What is the technique and thought process when entering that sequence of turns, and what track references do you use?”
Q: What is the apex of a corner, and what do I do with it?
Q: “What exactly is the apex of a corner, and what do I do with this information?”
Q: How do I retain focus in an endurance race?
Q: “Can you recommend some resources on retaining focus in endurance racing?
Q. As an HPDE instructor, should I tell my student about faster cars approaching from behind?
As an HPDE instructor, should I tell my student about faster cars approaching from behind?
Q: What’s causing my rear tires to wear on the outside of the tread more than the front tires?
Q: “My rear and front tires are showing consistent temp across the tread surface, but I’ve noticed my rear tires are wearing excessively on the outer side. What is causing this and what can I do to address this?”
Q: How can trail braking both help and hurt turning or rotating the car into a corner?
Q: How can trail braking both help and hurt turning or rotating the car into a corner?
Q: What do you recommend for a video and/or data setup?
Q: What do you recommend for a video and/or data setup?
Q: When and where should I upshift my Porsche Cayman going up the Esses at Watkins Glen?
Q: “I recently started racing my Cayman S at Watkins Glen and I’m hooked! I bought your Virtual Track Walk and my dad gave me your book. You talk about upshifting into turn two at Watkins as you enter the Esses and when I have entered, I’m in third. My thought is I want higher RPMs for the elevation change, usually shifting into fourth after turn 3. Is my thinking wrong here? Do I want to be in fourth through the Esses?”
Q: Is there a benefit in practice driving on track with just one hand on the steering wheel?
Q: “I’m curious – Do you ever practice with only your non-dominant hand? I sometimes think my left hand is only copying my right, and so is out of sync, or even actively fighting my right hand. When I practice with one hand, it is very obvious when I am reacting to the actual car, versus making unnecessary inputs. But maybe there is a better alternative?”
Q: Why would braking earlier and lighter for a corner ever be beneficial?
Q: “I’ve heard your advice that sometimes it’s best to brake lighter, rather than as late and hard as possible. If you started braking lighter at the same place entering a corner, wouldn’t that suggest that you’re not quite at the limit under braking? And wouldn’t that make you slower because you don’t have the car at the limit?”
Got Questions?
Get Immediate Answers