Q: Should I trail brake to the apex of a corner, and then apply the throttle starting at the apex?
Q: “What is your opinion on the frequently expressed dictum “trail brake until apex then back on throttle starting at the apex”?”
Q: Should I turn left slightly before turning right into a corner, using what some call a “Scandinavian flick”?
Q: “I have a question about driving the racing line and being smooth and minimizing overall grip. I don’t know what you call this technique, but it is explained in the saying, “You gotta turn left before you can turn right.” So, for a right-hander, if you make a...Q: Should I turn Traction Control off when driving on the track?
I’m getting conflicting information as to whether I should turn Traction Control off or leave it on while learning to drive faster. I drive a 2017 Mazda Miata so power isn’t huge. I know that TC may save me from myself but might it also mask some of the ‘limit sensors’?”
Q: Should I upshift at the end of a long straight, and should I downshift through all the gears?
Q: “I purchased and watched your “Virtual Track Walk” for Road Atlanta, which was awesome. It helped a lot to prepare me for that challenging track. I was there last weekend for a 3-day HPDE and there was PCA Club Racing too. The races in the rain Saturday afternoon were scary! I have also just finished reading “Ultimate Speed Secrets,” my 3rd book from you. I have a question that I can’t find an answer to specifically, and as it relates to a fast and long straightaway (such as the straight at Road Atlanta from turn 7 to 10A). I have a Porsche 981 GT4, I was going all the way to using 6th gear at about the “bend” at turn 9 to keep the RPM below 7k (peak HP is 6500), and then tried different downshifts for the braking and turn in at 10A. I first went through all the gears on the way down, doing the turn in 3rd. I then tried a down shift to 5th and then short-shifted from 5th to 3rd during the braking. I also tried going straight to 3rd from 6th during the braking, and last, I tried staying in 5th instead of shifting to 6th (had to lift a little to keep it off the redline) and then short shifted to 3rd. I found no “time” differences in any of the options. What technique would you suggest?”
Q: Should I upshift or downshift in corners with a dual-clutch 8-speed C8 Corvette?
Q: “After many years with BMWs, I’ve gone to the ‘dark side’ and bought my very first American car: a 2021 C8 Vette. My question is, can I take advantage of the 8 gears and dual-clutch with instant rev match to actually up and downshift in the turns? Shifting is reportedly so quick and smooth in both directions that it may seem like steady throttle application. Also, watching the F1 boys, I’m pretty sure I hear them changing gears on entry and exit. Tough to do with a standard six speed, even though heel-toe is second nature.”