Question on braking before turns...

[Ayodog]

Ok so i have this problem that is partly due to my bad lines but also how i prep for my turns. My guess is that i'm braking much too late before a turn and while i might be at the speed to make the turn, i cant give any power during and very often hit a good amount of understeer. Things are only multiplied on hairpins that get very tight closer to the end. I dont have the best tires, nitto 555s, but i think i need some tips on braking for turns. Any tips are greatly appreciated.

I'm a noob trying to learn <33

[ricetastic]

I'm sure you've been told this countless times but you need to simply practice and eventually you'll get the hang of it. Every driver likes a car to behave a specific way and every driver uses specific cornering techniques in order for them to handle the car in a stable manner. With that being said, on a general basis what I have concluded w/ the Si is that it has a rigid chassis that isn't to sensitive to abrupt braking (i.e you can let of the brake quickly and brake midway in the turn) it remains relatively neutral. One thing that has improved my times specifically is when approaching a turn, let of the brake pedal smoothly and treat it as if its a clutch, you don't want drop it to quick. When your at the limit, you want everything to be integrated in a smooth manner, at the vehicles limit, you will notice the difference between letting of the brake quickly, or letting of the brake smoothly, and similarly you will notice a difference with just flooring it midway in the turn or smoothly getting on the gas. Generally, you don't want to be messing around with the brake to much once you've entered the turn, at that point you should be focusing on your steering and gas pedal. Make sure when your approaching a turn that you let of the brake smoothly and turn in smoothly then you will notice less understeer and more neutral behavior. With the Si, if you brake hard midway in the turn you will either get oversteer or understeer depending on the situation. Lastly, I would say experiment with your technique, get someone who is a good driver to ride with you and ask them for a thorough evaluation. You really have to develop your own style, you can't rely on driving like other people.

[Ayodog]

I'll keep these things in mind, and yeah i'm spending all my $ on gas atm.

After seeing some of the crappiest cars easily out run some of the fastest i'm completely convinced that experience and knowledge are greater than any mod. Tires are nice too.

[pinhead]

This is why looking ahead is helpful.

If you are looking ahead at the next corner, you'll know when you have to start braking. As you approach the corner, you start to look at the exit of the corner. As you're looking for the exit, your head will start to turn, and at some angle, you'll know when it's time to brake.

Also, just keep this little idea in mind - it's faster to brake a little too soon than too late. If you brake too late, you've screwed the whole corner - as you've observed. If you brake too early, you've only screwed up a little bit of the corner entrance. So, try to use that as some motivation to step on those brakes a couple feet sooner at your next event

But, with sufficient look-aheadage, you'll be braking in about the right spot most of the time.

[thehov]

Originally Posted by pinhead

This is why looking ahead is helpful.

If you are looking ahead at the next corner, you'll know when you have to start braking. As you approach the corner, you start to look at the exit of the corner. As you're looking for the exit, your head will start to turn, and at some angle, you'll know when it's time to brake.

Also, just keep this little idea in mind - it's faster to brake a little too soon than too late. If you brake too late, you've screwed the whole corner - as you've observed. If you brake too early, you've only screwed up a little bit of the corner entrance. So, try to use that as some motivation to step on those brakes a couple feet sooner at your next event

But, with sufficient look-aheadage, you'll be braking in about the right spot most of the time.

Couldnt have said it any better....

[fg2!kid]

also another thing i keep for getting to do is use the whole track i have a bad habit of not going outside in, screws up my apex.also getting all the braking done before you turn in was something i was told to do

Ayodog speedventures has a track day coming up in May are you going ?

[MikeColangelo]

Here's a tip, when learning the track during that first session, start your braking zones early. With each lap you can shorten the braking zone to where it feels right for you and it allows you to stay on the driving line. Once you find a braking point that suits you, try to match that point with a visual reference so you can start braking at that point on a consistent basis.

If you are new to this, limit your braking to straight line braking. In most cases, the proper straight line braking technique is to brake hard upon initiation of braking (but don't lock the wheels up for cars that don't have ABS) and gradually ease off the brakes by the end of your braking zone. Once you are done braking, make your turn-in and then smoothly add throttle. Like just about everything on a road racing course, be smooth with the brakes, steering, and throttle. "Smooth is fast"

Make sure you slow down enough to stay on line and keep the car balanced. "Slow in, fast out"

Once you are comfortable with straight line braking, try trail braking. This means that you are doing some braking during the turn. You can actually start your braking zone later this way and it helps your car rotate better during the turn. But be careful with this. It's easy to spin a car if you brake too much and unsettle the car during the turn.

The general rule of thumb passed on to me by Skip Barber instructors was this:
Straight line brake during the high-speed turns and trail brake during the slow turns (such as a hairpin).

Oh, one last thing: Don't do anything during the turn to unsettle the car. This includes not changing gears during the turn! Get your down shift completed prior to or during the straightline portion of the braking zone.