High Performance & Race Driving Tips

Every time you finish a session, think about how the tires behaved. Did they have good grip to begin with and then began to fade? Did they gain grip with more laps? Did they give you lots of feel for the limit, or not? Could you feel them flex; was the ride over the bumps harsh?

Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. We cannot not think about something. If we think, “Don’t make a mistake,” our mind only hears, “make a mistake.” It doesn’t register the “don’t.” The harder you try to avoid making a mistake, the more likely it is that you’ll make it. How many times have you felt yourself heading for the edge of the track – and a little beyond – and tried to avoid it by steering away from the edge… only to have the car hook up and spin towards the inside of the track?

“You’re so smooth… except when you apply the brakes. You really hit them hard.” That’s a comment I’ve heard more than once after giving a sport/track day/HPDE driver a ride around the track. I’ve also heard a variation on the comment from these same sort of people after riding with anyone that I’ll call here a “pro driver.”

Speed Secret: Carry entry speed by looking into the turn and focusing on your release of the brakes. Focus on the End-of-Braking point. One of the most important driving techniques that has led to the biggest gains from the most drivers I’ve worked with is covered in this Speed Secret.

Speed Secret: The less change in speed through a corner, the faster you will be. Minimize your Change-of-Speed.

Speed Secret: No matter what the level or type of motorsport you participate in, you are a team-builder.

Speed Secret: Although your skill level may have physical limits, your mind’s potential is limitless.

The Handling Debrief – Want to help your car handle better? A couple of tips ago I suggested that you start by asking yourself the Big Question: If I could have the car do just one thing better, what would it be? That’s where you should start, especially if you don’t have much time before the next track session. But then, ask yourself these 5 questions…

Speed Secret: Don’t set expectations – focus on the possibilities & your potential.

Use The One Big Question – Each time you get out of the car, ask yourself, “If I could have the car do just one thing better, what would it be?”

Speed Secret: Vision leads to speed. “The ability to fit is directly proportionate to the speed of entry.”

Speed Secret: Replay your successes. Here’s your homework: Make a list of all the things you did well this past year, in and out of the car (but only to do with driving!!!).

Speed Secret: Have fun! That may sound simplistic and unneeded, but it never hurts to be reminded of it.

Speed Secret: Drive the car, not the track. Learning A New Track…

Off-Season Preparation – What are you doing this off-season to prepare for the 2016 season? Anything different from last year, or the year before that?

To late apex, or early apex? First you need a clear definition of what a late apex really is, so read on…

You can lift your foot off the throttle – the gas pedal – or you can “breathe” it. The term “breathe the throttle” relates to a gentle easing off of the throttle, rather than a complete and relatively quick lift of it.

What is a contact patch – and why should you care? Learn more by reading on…