Post by GRD 4 3L on Mar 2, 2015 14:42:21 GMT
Racing School 101: Basic Race Car Controls
Objectives: Basics of braking, cornering, acceleration, gear shifting and disciplined approach to learning a new track.
Car/Build/Set-up: S819 Formula Ford with front and rear wings removed. All car settings are default. You can build your own or download the prebuilt car by searching "FTAC". Preparing your own car is recommended for tuning exercises later on in the curriculum.
Track: Silverstone National (shortest track)
Driving Aids: None, use manual gearing (clutch is recommended but optional). Two (2) of the exercises require no gear changes and remaining exercises have minimal gear changes with comfortable time intervals so it is a good exercise for manual shifting as well.
Lesson 1: Learning a Track
Where do I start braking? What are the cornering speeds? Where is the turn in point? How will the car react if I drive over the curbs? There are many questions and the answers will only arrive by driving the car. Following exercises are designed to reveal the answers in the fastest and most consistent way possible. Let's get to it.
Accelerate up to 2nd gear then drive around the track BUT using NO BRAKES. Note which corner requires slower speeds and mentally make note of the fastest possible cornering speeds. Remember, NO BRAKES.
NO BRAKE Lapping, 2nd Gear Target time = 01:15.000
Once you are familar with 2nd gear lapping, change to 3rd gear then do the same; NO BRAKES. Note this time that some corners can be taken faster but there are corners where the car needs to slow down. For the slower corners, slow down the car by applying no throttle in advance, i.e. coasting. You may down shift to 2nd gear if desired.
NO BRAKE Lapping, 3rd Gear Target time = 01:07.000
Lesson 2: Finding the Traction Limits & Changing Gears
Now let's go up to 4th gear but still NO BRAKES. Downshift is needed for most corner exits. Be gentle with throttle and avoid ALL wheenspins (tire squealing, understeer, oversteer). Prevent the front and rear end of the car from sliding. If the front end is pushing (not turning into the corner) it is usually an indication of the car being too fast so slow down. If the rear end is sliding it is either too much throttle or too much steering so be gentle with the inputs.
NO BRAKE Lapping, 4th Gear Target time = 01:03.000
By now you should have pretty good idea about where to start coasting, when to turn in, and when to start applying the throttle.
NO BRAKE Lapping, Target time = 1:01.000
Lesson 3: Going All The Way
Let's start using the brakes but in very small amounts. Instead of coasting with no brakes, start applying small amounts of brake while reducing the brake distance. Continue to reduce the brake distance by applying more brakes until you cannot brake any later without losing traction (front and/or rear end sliding). Cornering will be fastest when all 4 tires are generating maximum cornering forces (tire scrubbing noises, NO squealing noises) therefore avoid braking and cornering at the same time, for now.
Lapping with brakes, Target time = 1:00.000
Lessons Learned
1. On tarmac tracks, fastest lap is achieved when the car is under driver's control (BIG ! on the word 'control').
2. Controlled, gentle braking is easier and more consistent than abrupt, hard braking.
3. Feed the throttle gently to minimize under/oversteer. Experiment with different lines and amount of throttle.
4. Traction = speed. Under/oversteer = loss of traction = loss of speed. We'll get to pushing the envelope in Driving School 201.
This concludes basic Race Car Controls. If you pass then your time will be recorded on the Pass Scores list below.
The contents of this lesson is subject to change.
PASS SCORES
| DRIVER GT | NO BRAKE LAP | WITH BRAKE LAP |
| TARGETS | 01:01.000 | 01:00.000 |
| GRD_4_3L | 00:58.2xx | 00:57.1xx (Rivals LB) |
| RelaxedPRK | 00:59.101 | 00:58.782 (Rivals LB) |
| Driver | Time NB | Time WB |
| Driver | Time NB | Time WB |
| Driver | Time NB | Time WB |
| Driver | Time NB | Time WB |
| Driver | Time NB | Time WB |
| Driver | Time NB | Time WB |
