Top Four Tips For Driving Like A Pro (very good read!)

[EJ25RUN]

http://blogs.motortrend.com/6227881/...pro/index.html

What I'm about to share I've learned racing formula cars and attending more than a dozen professional driving/racing schools in the U.S. and Europe. As I noted in my column in the November Motor Trend, I highly recommend that you find a way to enroll in one of these institutes of higher velocity yourself. A few days on the skid pad and race track will pay a lifetime of driving dividends. Admittedly, though, high-performance driving and racing schools are expensive. Until your bank account shows you the green light, therefore, I'm giving you a head start right here, right now. Free.


1. Be smooth. Your car's transmission, its tires, its chassis -- they don't like abrupt inputs. Slamming on the gas throws the car's weight to the rear, unsettling the front tires (hey, you need those to steer). Diving on the brakes hurls the car's weight forward (now your poor front tires are overloaded trying to brake hard and steer, and the suddenly light rear tires just might decide to swing the tail around on you). Driving well is all about weight management, controlling the ever-shifting mass of the car so the tires are never overloaded. That means rolling the steering wheel gracefully into turns, squeezing on the gas and brakes, moving the transmission lever (if you have a manual) as if the shift knob were an egg. I was lucky enough to ride once with three-time world champion Sir Jackie Stewart in an original Ford GT40. The guy made that clattering old race car move as if it were swimming in Wesson Oil. Even though we were blazing around Laguna Seca, I wasn't being tossed around inside the cockpit. Instead, I was gently pushed from side to side, eased forward and back, as the Maestro conducted a ballet at the wheel. The sensation had much more in common with riding in an expertly driven limousine -- don't spill our champagne, Jeeves -- than with the typical Hollywood portrayal of "expert" driving. Trust me on this: Smoothness at the wheel is the single biggest indicator of driving skill. (Conversely, driving like Rambo is a dead giveaway that you're a wanker.)

2. Turn later. "All God's children turn in early," a racing instructor once told me. And he was right. Watch the car ahead of you on a twisty road sometime. See how he crosses the yellow line when turning left? That's turning too soon. Even when driving briskly, you should always be able to corner within your own lane. Same thing happens when racing students first hit a track. "Why, that turn is coming up so fast and the road is running out so I'd better steer now!" And what happens? They clip the inside of the corner too soon and the resulting arc carries them right off the outside of the turn. Turning later takes practice, but it's key to balancing your car on the road and maximizing speed on a track. In effect, you're slowing down a little earlier, letting the car roll a little father into the turn, smoothly arcing the wheel so the tires can bite and provide you with maximum grip. Most important: Turning later means you can get on the gas earlier. If you turn early, you'll have to back off the throttle to keep the car from arcing off the road. Turn later, and your balanced machine will be ready to glide through the apex and charge toward the exit under power. Given that accelerating is the hardest thing for a car to do, the more time your right foot can be on the gas, the quicker you'll be around the track.

3. Look ahead. Nope, not at the car in front of you. No, not at the car in front of him, either. I want you looking as far down the road as you can. On a mountain road, you're not looking at the corner you're in, you're looking for the next one. On the highway, your eyes are scanning the horizon, often a half-mile or more down the road. On the track, you're always looking where you want to go. Each of us is equipped with an Early Warning System, but too often we don't use it. Get your eyes up, and suddenly you've got advance info. You know what the next corner looks like before you fly into it. You can see that crash ahead before the driver in front of you pounces on his brakes. On the track, your hands and feet will instinctively follow your eyes; look where you want to go, and your car will go there. (Why do so many drivers crash into the only tree around for miles? Because they're looking right at the thing they don't want to hit.) Looking ahead takes practice, but you'll be amazed at how well it works –- and at how much close-up information you're still picking up simply from peripheral vision. Suddenly, you're not playing connect the dots with individual lane stripes; you're flowing past them, aiming at that spot way in the distance. You have more time to react; you can plan your next move, keeping your car in that critical balance. You're smoother, in better control, a vastly improved driver. Try it.

4. Brake like you're taking a crap. Apologies if I offend, but this lesson from another racing instructor (yes, he was French) explains proper braking more effectively than any other. Remember Tip #1, Be smooth? In braking it's especially critical. Brakes are very powerful and can easily upset a car's balance -- even if you have ABS. So, in the words of my teacher: "Braking well is like taking a big poop. First you squeeze, then you push very very hard, and then you gently taaaaper off at the end." There. Now you know everything there is to know about how Lewis Hamilton dives so deep into corners. The best part: You can even practice while reading the new Motor Trend.

[BuBBa DRiFT]

good read +3

[Nemesis]

Awesome read. Thanks for posting.

[EJ25RUN]

good read +3

Awesome read. Thanks for posting.

I felt he hit the head of the nail when he described that being smooth is the best way. Real race drivers look like their so gentle but are going at the cars max potential by saving components and recording consistant lap times

[Nemesis]

Ill definitly be reading this post again before the track day. My first time on a track I was all over the place.

[DieselNuts]

lol, the braking part is funny to me.

[matthewAPM]

damn. is that me talking? those are the thing that I tell everyone when instructing. looking ahead is the hardest for people. do it on the street and it will transfer to the track...

[matthewAPM]

lol, the braking part is funny to me.

haha. his way to explain is funny. the way like like to think of it is with a orange. you can push the brake all the way to the floor and not bust the orange if u do it smoothly but if u stomp on them, it will bust

[man]

do it on the street and it will transfer to the track...

Horrible advice. The street and the track are two different animals and thus require very different skills. Look at any LEO or Federal agent proficient in high speed driving. It is all about calculation. They are constantly scanning the cars around them as they represent a much bigger threat than anything on the horizon. The problem is predictability. On a track, no one is going to slam on their brakes because a rabbit is running across the road.

[EJ25RUN]

Horrible advice. The street and the track are two different animals and thus require very different skills. Look at any LEO or Federal agent proficient in high speed driving. It is all about calculation. They are constantly scanning the cars around them as they represent a much bigger threat than anything on the horizon. The problem is predictability. On a track, no one is going to slam on their brakes because a rabbit is running across the road.

i dont know bout that. ive thought myself too look as far as possible down the road and my peripheral vision helps with those right next to me.

1.Be alert!
2. drive with both hands on wheel and only take off to shift, but put right back
3. learn to rev match and heel toe

those are things you can learn on the street!

[matthewAPM]

i dont know bout that. ive thought myself too look as far as possible down the road and my peripheral vision helps with those right next to me.

1.Be alert!
2. drive with both hands on wheel and only take off to shift, but put right back
3. learn to rev match and heel toe

those are things you can learn on the street!

a smart person on IA. reps.

Im not saying go out and drive 10/10th on the street. thats stupid. but u can heel/toe, look ahead, practice good driving position etc.

[EJ25RUN]

a smart person on IA. reps.

Im not saying go out and drive 10/10th on the street. thats stupid. but u can heel/toe, look ahead, practice good driving position etc.

i think my tranny, clutch, and engine really love me after i started to do it like second nature.... saves components... #1 reason i do it.

[matthewAPM]

andrew caddell couldnt heel/toe before he went to nationals for the first time in spec miata. his team MADE him learn so he would stop frying clutches and blowing trannys

[EJ25RUN]

LOL look what i found on edmunds

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/youngd...3/article.html

[matthewAPM]

thats awesome. good find!

[EJ25RUN]

thats awesome. good find!

i bet middle aged women are writing this down verbatme,

only to forget you cant do it in an automatic

[matthewAPM]

i bet middle aged women are writing this down verbatme,

only to forget you cant do it in an automatic

haha

[Imadaman]

nice write up

[Oz10]

Horrible advice. The street and the track are two different animals and thus require very different skills. Look at any LEO or Federal agent proficient in high speed driving. It is all about calculation. They are constantly scanning the cars around them as they represent a much bigger threat than anything on the horizon. The problem is predictability. On a track, no one is going to slam on their brakes because a rabbit is running across the road.

I don't mean to be an ass, but a rabbit could very likely run across a race track. There are sometimes deer at RA and I'm sure we've all seen videos of that kangaroo getting hit in Australia. Just because its a track doesn't mean there aren't any outside hazards.

[TheGrillMan]

the "looking foward advice" is golden my bro taught me that when he taugh me how to drive and it;s saved me alot fo time from deer\ wrecks\stupid drivers

[matthewAPM]

I don't mean to be an ass, but a rabbit could very likely run across a race track. There are sometimes deer at RA and I'm sure we've all seen videos of that kangaroo getting hit in Australia. Just because its a track doesn't mean there aren't any outside hazards.

I wanna say it was king rat motorsports that hit a deer in there Spec Miata during the 13hr of VIR

[Elbow]

All of those are great. Looking ahead you can notice a huge difference in times. I picked that up in karting and never let it go! Also being smooth, etc. Looking ahead on the street is good. You can spot danger a LOT further away. Such as cars slowing, debris, anything. I have turned some situations some may have had a panic into something small because I saw it a mile away.

[matthewAPM]

All of those are great. Looking ahead you can notice a huge difference in times. I picked that up in karting and never let it go! Also being smooth, etc. Looking ahead on the street is good. You can spot danger a LOT further away. Such as cars slowing, debris, anything. I have turned some situations some may have had a panic into something small because I saw it a mile away.

even if u were not looking ahead, u cant go fast enough to hurt anything in a miata.

[Elbow]

I don't want a deer in my lap though lol

[matthewAPM]

I don't want a deer in my lap though lol

yeah. king rat motorsports hit a deer. looked like they hit a wall. lol

[300z32x]

beautifully written, really captured they keys of a great driver! A+

[EJ25RUN]

for fcman: rabbit getting owned

[speedminded]

Horrible advice. The street and the track are two different animals and thus require very different skills. Look at any LEO or Federal agent proficient in high speed driving. It is all about calculation. They are constantly scanning the cars around them as they represent a much bigger threat than anything on the horizon. The problem is predictability. On a track, no one is going to slam on their brakes because a rabbit is running across the road.

Negative.

Always look as far as you can and your peripheral vision will naturally see what's around you, doesn't mean focus on anything specific just look far ahead and take notice of what's going on and your surroundings. It's the people that drive staring at the taillights of the vehicle in front of them that cause accidents then because they are so fixated on the 20 feet in front of them they can't see what's ahead or either side.

I dont know bout that. ive thought myself too look as far as possible down the road and my peripheral vision helps with those right next to me.

1.Be alert!
2. drive with both hands on wheel and only take off to shift, but put right back
3. learn to rev match and heel toe

those are things you can learn on the street!

Bingo. Just curious, when the rear lets go or in a spin do you teach keeping both hands on the wheel?

[EJ25RUN]

Negative.

Always look as far as you can and your peripheral vision will naturally see what's around you, doesn't mean focus on anything specific just look far ahead and take notice of what's going on and your surroundings. It's the people that drive staring at the taillights of the vehicle in front of them that cause accidents then because they are so fixated on the 20 feet in front of them they can't see what's ahead or either side.



Bingo. Just curious, when the rear lets go or in a spin do you teach keeping both hands on the wheel?

Ive never "taught" but from my 300zx days.... id say yes... i remember using both hands to countersteer (you can do it with one) but still goes to the principle you have more control with both hands.

[matthewAPM]

Negative.

Always look as far as you can and your peripheral vision will naturally see what's around you, doesn't mean focus on anything specific just look far ahead and take notice of what's going on and your surroundings. It's the people that drive staring at the taillights of the vehicle in front of them that cause accidents then because they are so fixated on the 20 feet in front of them they can't see what's ahead or either side.



Bingo. Just curious, when the rear lets go or in a spin do you teach keeping both hands on the wheel?

both hands on the wheel and both feet in.

once you have been around a few times you can start trying to downshift while spinning. haha.

[speedminded]

Ive never "taught" but from my 300zx days.... id say yes... i remember using both hands to countersteer (you can do it with one) but still goes to the principle you have more control with both hands.

General counter steering yes, as in the rear kicks out a little and you react to it but if you're in an all out slide or drift there is no possible way you can keep two hands on the wheel and still maintain control unless you have an insane steering quickener with lock to lock being like 180°. If the rear seriously lets go and you keep two hands on a wheel you normally can't turn it far enough to prevent a spin and there is no way you can bring it back fast enough to the point needed to maintain control and doing it without over correcting. The wheel will straighten itself out, countersteer as needed and keep a steady throttle (or lay into it depending on the power and tires the car has).

I've watched countless in-car race video's and you can tell before it happens who's going to crash or be in the kitty litter just from their reactions when the rear steps out.

I always get called out on mtn. runs for using one hand through blind turns...one on the steering wheel and one on the shift knob. I always look as far through the inside corner of a turn as possible so if there does happen to be a bicycle or obstruction in the road you can react fast enough to it. With two hands on the wheel there is no way you can downshift, brake, and steer at the same time. The time it takes to get from the wheel to the shift knob may be that extra second needed to avoid a collision. After twelve years of running in the mtns and never once had a close call because of it.

[speedminded]

both hands on the wheel and both feet in.

once you have been around a few times you can start trying to downshift while spinning. haha.

huh, both feet into what? The brakes?!

[EJ25RUN]

General counter steering yes, as in the rear kicks out a little and you react to it but if you're in an all out slide or drift there is no possible way you can keep two hands on the wheel and still maintain control unless you have an insane steering quickener with lock to lock being like 180°. If the rear seriously lets go and you keep two hands on a wheel you normally can't turn it far enough to prevent a spin and there is no way you can bring it back fast enough to the point needed to maintain control and doing it without over correcting. The wheel will straighten itself out, countersteer as needed and keep a steady throttle (or lay into it depending on the power and tires the car has).

I've watched countless in-car race video's and you can tell before it happens who's going to crash or be in the kitty litter just from their reactions when the rear steps out.

I always get called out on mtn. runs for using one hand through blind turns...one on the steering wheel and one on the shift knob. I always look as far through the inside corner of a turn as possible so if there does happen to be a bicycle or obstruction in the road you can react fast enough to it. With two hands on the wheel there is no way you can downshift, brake, and steer at the same time. The time it takes to get from the wheel to the shift knob may be that extra second needed to avoid a collision. After twelve years of running in the mtns and never once had a close call because of it.

by both hands i mean alternating wrists as you turn... not gripping tight with both palms!

"With two hands on the wheel there is no way you can downshift, brake, and steer at the same time. The time it takes to get from the wheel to the shift knob may be that extra second needed to avoid a collision."

you dont need to. Car controls are such where you hold the wheel with both hands at the right momenents and the shift knob to change gear for that "very short moment!"

About that extra second to avoid collision.... What exactly does putting your hand down to shift change from either braking or accelerating and streering during an incident? I feel that, if you need to shift during a turn, then do it! We dont have three arms so its impossible to shift with both hands steering but i dont think that "second to shift" is as dramatic as you say. With enough practice at using both hands you #1 cut that second down and #2 you are most alert if you need to do something (shift, steer, brake, acc, whatever).

[EJ25RUN]

cmon speedminded you've been responding since 10:28

[Spektrewing386]

Looking forward is good advice, but you dont always want to contantly do it. If other drivers can only see 100ft around/infront of them using "peripheral vision" then that scares the **** out of me. Its a good thing to scan the horizon for danger, but dont do it all the time. Most of the time if something is going to happen, its not already there waiting for you a mile down the road. Its going to happen to you 100-300ft infront of you got a 1000 yard killer stare at the horizon, then you or some other creature is going to die. The dangerous thing in the horizion is at least 20-30sec away, you got time to look at that after you dodge the child that just ran out in the street to get his ball (or the deer that just popped out of the woods)

What I do is a 40% long distance look and a 60% in my area look. So you get the best of both worlds. Someone about to cut you off and run you off the road? Yep I saw it because I was looking in my area. Huge truck overturned on highway? Yep I saw it because i was looking long distance for a second. But if i was 100%scaning the horizion, who knows how many stupid children will die or how many times I almost get run off the road.

[matthewAPM]

huh, both feet into what? The brakes?!

brakes and clutch

[EJ25RUN]

still waiting for speedminded

[speedminded]

by both hands i mean alternating wrists as you turn... not gripping tight with both palms!

"With two hands on the wheel there is no way you can downshift, brake, and steer at the same time. The time it takes to get from the wheel to the shift knob may be that extra second needed to avoid a collision."

you dont need to. Car controls are such where you hold the wheel with both hands at the right momenents and the shift knob to change gear for that "very short moment!"

About that extra second to avoid collision.... What exactly does putting your hand down to shift change from either braking or accelerating and streering during an incident? I feel that, if you need to shift during a turn, then do it! We dont have three arms so its impossible to shift with both hands steering but i dont think that "second to shift" is as dramatic as you say. With enough practice at using both hands you #1 cut that second down and #2 you are most alert if you need to do something (shift, steer, brake, acc, whatever).

Alternating wrists while sideways?! One of the main points of the 4 rules in the original post is to be smooth...

[speedminded]

cmon speedminded you've been responding since 10:28

some people gotta work! then eat lunch

brakes and clutch

err yeahhh, if i'm sideways through a turn the last think i'm doing is letting off the throttle or touching the brakes.

[EJ25RUN]

Alternating wrists while sideways?! One of the main points of the 4 rules in the original post is to be smooth...

im not talking bout being sideways... (im not a drifter) i mean unlike F1 cars we cant go lock to lock with one turn and have i think like 900 degrees to play with. So yes you have to take both hands of and alternate hands as you let it go through what is probably a slow tight turn. Cmon this is also meant to give you the fastest time and we both know if your loose in the back your losing time!