Preparing to Drive the Circuit
Driving techniques & manners 11
Analyze the course in advance
If you’re planning to drive on a circuit, you can get more out of your run on the day by researching the course in advance.
The first thing to understand is the driving lines. For this, you need to get a hold of a course diagram and put together a driving line for an entire lap.
Let’s explain how to do this. First, find the part of the track where you will attain the fastest speed. Typically this would be near the end of a long straight. Once you’ve found this point, draw a driving line through the corner before that point that will allow you to drive through the top-speed point at the fastest speed possible. Then do the same for each of the previous corners in turn until you have the driving lines for the entire track.
One thing to be careful of is a combined corner, where several corners overlap. In these corners, the exit of one corner may be the entry into the next corner, and it may be difficult to find the driving line. The best thing to do is think of the multiple combined corner as a single corner, and build a driving line that allows you to attain maximum speed at the exit of the multiple combined corner.
- Fig. 11-1 This is a corner that starts off gradually and becomes tighter later. Rushing to get to the inside of the corner will prevent you from being able to accelerate and cause you to lose time. Set your clipping point near the exit and gradually go inside on the turn.
- Fig. 11-2 In an S-curve like this, if you drive the first corner in an out-in-out pattern, you will enter the next corner on the inside, putting you at a disadvantage. Instead, try to exit the first corner and enter the second corner at the center of the track.
- Fig. 11-3 This is a series of corners of different sizes. In the dotted lines, you will lose speed between the second and third corners. The best response is to go intentionally wide in the second corner, thereby raising your exit speed as you leave the final corner.
Upon arrival at the track, check the driving of other people already on the circuit. You especially want to note the braking points on the long straights. Using tire marks on the track, signs and plants on the course sides, and seams on the road surface, you should be able to judge the braking point. Normally, you would find something that will serve as a marker on the outer side of the track, but there may be times when your rivals’ cars are in the way, obstructing your line of sight. For this reason, you’ll also want to have a similar marker on the inside of the track.
If you have an opportunity to walk on the track, take it! This enables you to check the course from a point of view similar to a driver’s seat height. Now’s the time to check whether you can see out of each corner to its exit and note any bumps in the road that might affect the grip of the tires.
Checking and correcting your driving line will enable you to make the most of your time on the track. Making an effort in this way will help you to produce the best results.
