Q: “For the last two years I have been driving more and more. I have accrued about 35 track days in the last 2.5 years in addition to about 50 autocrosses. On track I drive a lightly prepped 2009 Cayman S (seats, harnesses, Hoosiers, Cayman R suspension, brakes), and for AutoX this season is a 2017 Civic Si (previously 2015 Mazda 3).
“Two weeks ago at a PCA track event I decided to do part of a session without any nannies. In the Cayman stability and traction control are linked, so you either get both, or none. I switched them both off to see how it would go, and less than two laps later, I was sideways in the grass. This was my first time without any aids, and first time really going off track.
“Where do you stand on TC, PSM, etc.? Tips would be greatly appreciated.”
A: Where do I stand on TC/PSM? That’s a big topic! I’ve written a lot about it in the past (that’s an important part of my The Lost Art of High-Performance Driving book that was published last year); I dealt with it in an earlier column (“Should I turn Traction Control off when driving on track?”), and I’ve talked about it on my podcast (specifically episode 42 with Ryan Kristoff).
There really isn’t a simple and short answer, but if there was it would be this: electronic driver aids are fantastic tools to save us; they can be used as a tool to help us learn the limits of our cars; when a driver consistently recognizes every single time that the driver aids have activated when driving on the track, that’s when the driver is ready to turn them off; when turned off, the driver needs to gently inch up on the limits so as to not go so far over as to result in a big crash; learning to drive with the aids off will help develop important car control skills; but a driver can learn a lot without ever turning them off (despite what some people say).
There are two types of track drivers: Those who have gone off the track, and those who will. You’re one who has gone off the track. Learn from that. And don’t be surprised if you go off again. But if the only thing stopping you from going off the track are the driver aids, then focus on sensing when they’re doing that. If you can sense when they are kicking in – every single time – then you’ll be an even better driver.
By the way, I rarely ever turn off the driver aids when driving on track. I actually enjoy working with them, trying to go as fast as I can without activating them (which requires being super smooth), and then even using them – I like to see if I can “lean” on them right at the limit and use them to my advantage.
I hope that gives you a few things to think about.
Answers to this question have evolved over the years, and in the right direction. Ross’s comment that he closely monitors the triggering of the assists, and even tries to use them for more speed, is the most evolved answer to date.
What you do with driver assists depends on whether you are willing to risk (uninsured) damage to your car, because that risk is surely increased when the assists are shut off. With assists on, there are situations (e.g. slide recovery or threshold braking) that you’ll never experience. But if you really want to experience and learn those things, there are skid pads and other avenues to do so with minimal risk. If you want the Full Monte, get an old car you’re willing to damage, and disable all the nannies.
Also, to improve your driving skills, maybe back off of using the Hoosiers.
They may be masking some driving technique foibles and learning to drive well with a less sticky tire will pay dividends along your progression up learning curve.
yah put some 600 tread life tires on there and hang on =] you will notice the tc/sc light blinking away for the first 5 laps or so and you will push and rotate and … well, it will be fun !
That exactly – unless you just want to drive in slicks, if you’re not in a race car or competing, pass on slicks.
Get a set of high performance street tires and get ready to learn.
“By the way, I rarely ever turn off the driver aids when driving on track. I actually enjoy working with them, trying to go as fast as I can without activating them (which requires being super smooth), and then even using them – I like to see if I can “lean” on them right at the limit and use them to my advantage.” ::Thumbs-up::
I don’t recommend 600 treadwear, but some 140, 180, or 200 would reveal a little more than the Hoosier DOT slicks might. The stance that Ross espouses is a commendable one.