Track driving techniques

[rs666]

I am investing more time in improving driving technique than the performance of the car these days. Its this that brings the most improvements and its generally cheaper!

I am reading a really good book at the mo, Track Day Driver's Guide: How to Prepare Your Car and Yourself for the Thrills of High-speed Circuit Driving - Art Markus

available at Amazon for £10

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASI ... 04-6434018

and Don Palmer has some interesting stuff on his website http://www.donpalmer.co.uk/cchandbook/

Has anyone else got any useful resources they could post here?

(Moderators: I put this here as I wanted the 'trackers' to see it, but move it if necessary )

[PhilT]

(Moderators: I put this here as I wanted the 'trackers' to see it, but move it if necessary)

Even better than that, we'll make this 'Sticky'.

Good topic, and agree with your comment re skill 'vs' performance.

[DaveP]

I did a Don Palmer course a few weeks back...great fun and learnt a fair bit...I'd recommend it.

[rs666]

http://leftfootbraking.com/howwhy.htm

Although not much good in my two peddle runaround

[Scotty]

DaveP - was that at North Weald? How was it on your car? I've heard the surface can tear up the tyres pretty bad.

[johneroberts]

http://leftfootbraking.com/howwhy.htm

Although not much good in my two peddle runaround

Paddle or Peddle was that?
cheers
jr

[rs666]

both

[Nige_RS4]

rs666 wrote:
http://leftfootbraking.com/howwhy.htm

Although not much good in my two peddle runaround


Paddle or Peddle was that?
cheers
jr

Don't forget pedal!

[rs666]

Don't forget to pedal! Mine has pedals too! Note to self: Must read Owners Manual at some point.

Anyway we are getting seriously off topic here....

[DaveP]

DaveP - was that at North Weald? How was it on your car? I've heard the surface can tear up the tyres pretty bad.

It was at Bruntingthorpe...did it in the CSL...was giggling like a schoolgirl for a large amount of time - Don used the CSL for the demos

Great day...my tyres did take a fair bashing, but thats mostly because I was having fun and wanted to take advantage of the fact that you can just be as lairy as you like towards the end of the day.

- it's not often you get to experience the sensations of being on the limits whilst not worrying about lack of run off etc..

As Don puts it, there's lots of instructors who can tell you how to drive around the track by 'brake here, turn in here' type methods, but there's not too many who can give you the understanding about what to feel for and the technical explanations behind it so you're then capable of driving round any track...

Actually ended up feeling slower around the course he'd set out, but was 11% faster by the end of the day (about 0.5 seconds slower than a 360 CS that was there on the same day - and he was on track tyres )

[rs666]

Scotty pointed me in the direction of www.cg-lock.co.uk.

This assists with need to stay fixed in the seat to get the feedback from car/road. This is difficult in a road car because the seatbelt mechanism is designed to give.

This holds the lap section of the belt static, allowing you to pull it tight and keep your aRSe in contact with the car at all times.

So for £50 it allows you to gain some of the benefits of a race harness.

Got mine today so will try at Castle Coombe on Sat and feedback. Scotty rates it highly.

[Scotty]

I do indeed. The bumpier the track, the more valuable it is. i.e. combe and the ring

Dave - thanks for the write up. I really need to go out with him at some point!

[rs666]

I am told a Don Palmer day is approx £450. Pricey? Dave - do you think it is worth that much?

[sitas3]

I am told a Don Palmer day is approx £450. Pricey? Dave - do you think it is worth that much?

probably... add the cost of a new set of boots to that too from what I have heard about the day.

[Instructer]

I can organise a day at Bruntingthorp to teach extreme technices. + we can arrange for some caterhams and elise's to demostrate your new found talents on.
You will still be useing your own cars but with less ware and tear.