Ask Ross

As an HPDE instructor, should I tell my student about faster cars approaching from behind?

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: What do you recommend for a video and/or data setup?

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: “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: “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?”

Q: What advice do you have for me as I turn off the electronic stability and traction control when driving on track?

Q: “How can I tell (while driving and with data) that I have the brake bias set correctly?”

Q: What do you think about the use of cones marking corner references on HPDE and track days?

Q: When heel & toe downshifting, what’s the right timing for the blip of the throttle?

Q: “How do you determine your line in a bowl? There are so many variations on a line that I feel like I’ve never found the one that clicks as the fastest.”

Q: “I have noticed is my ability to absorb visual info while at high-speed (100- 120 mph) versus lower speed. What tips do you have to help? In short, how do I train my brain to absorb info at speeds it wasn’t designed to do?”

Q: What do you think of the advice, “point your nose where you want to go?”

Q: Any tips for dealing with motion sickness while driving?

Q: How many lines are there to get through Turn 5 at Road America?

Q: Does a car with less roll result in more cornering grip?

Q: “During a race, should ‘point-bys’ be used to help with an overtake?”

Q: “What is your opinion on the frequently expressed dictum “trail brake until apex then back on throttle starting at the apex”?”