What is your technique for learning a high speed corner
 

I'm interested to hear how people find the 'limit' speed for high speed (say 5th gear) race track corners - especially those with poor runoff/walls/consequences etc.

Do you build up entry speed gradually - say 200rpm at a time - until the fear factor sets in?

Follow in other like-setup cars at matched speed?

Flat out / hope and pray?

What has worked for you in the past?

the old moroso had esses at the end of the back straight that was flat in fifth in most really fast cars. it was one of those sections where you had to overcome the fear of crashing. looping it there would mean you would likely crash the schit out of your well prepared race car...not a good thing.

honestly you just keep working up to it by building speed with each lap. be smart enough to keep a bit in hand or you may get bitten. getting in over your head too quickly is always costly in terms of fixing what you broke but could also cost you an expensive ambulance ride. have fun but be safe.

Turn 2 at Autoclub Speedway Fontana. Decreasing radius, 130mph, nascar wall on the outside.

Work up gradually and make sure the car is exactly in the right place on the track. Take it to the point that tires are dancing. Relax. I know the car will stick as long as I don't do anything stupid to unsettle it. Repeat.

Ross Bentley - Speed Secrets
Home - Speed Secrets Driver Development

Thanks guys, all roads point to a steady build up and more seat time.

First take out track insurance.

Second, have an EXPERIENCED instructor ride with you and get more input on the corner. Like my illegitimate Cajundaddy stated above, position of the car as well as your technique (and car set up for that matter) are vital...This is where input from someone with experience will help you.

Third, don't forget to listen to that little voice in your head and allow yourself to gradually work up speed/nerve/ballz to push harder and harder. If you are not comfortable, you're not having a good time. Remember, none of us got the call from Redbull to take Webber's seat. So take your time and HAVE FUN riding the learning curve.

Nothing beats good old fashioned data acquisition, and I don't mean the digital kind. Like 'cajun' said, that little voice in your head, and in your hands and in your seat that helps you to gradually discover the limit, and drive at and slightly beyond the limit in that beautiful place that seemingly defies the laws of physics , all while maximizing exit speed, and staying within your own physical and mental limit.

One thing that always gets me is being aware....that...

Hey that guy has a similar car.... and he always opens the distance in a corner!

So you know the machine is physically able to do it...

The rest is up to you...

I start by late apexing - then build up speed till I feel the car moving around - then slowly and systematically start my turn in earlier and earlier until I run out of stones.

+1 for Ross Bentley's approach: (Line), Exit, Entrance, Corner. Having data, or lead/follow exercises, or working with a coach can be a big help. Compare notes with similar classed cars/drivers. Once you're at the pointy end of your class it gets tougher to keep find tenths or hundredths. That's all part of the fun, too!

Cheers!

(Duplicate post removed)

What Jeremy said. Start with a late apex, and work your way back.

It's also pretty much a given that you'll be starting with a lower entry speed than needed! ;)

I have to say a lot of it in fast corners has to do with trusting the car and the grip. Unlike a slow corner where the tail might slide out and be easily caught a fast sweeper is not the place to try and find the limit. And even a similar car can have a wrong setup.

Having a pro/hot shoe drive your car and lay down a fast lap will open your eyes as to what the car can do quickly. The getting up to that point is then your challenge.

Thanks guys, lots of good stuff here.

One of the things that helps me most is watching video. I will find video of a fast driver on whatever track it is and then study everything about the video. Turn in, entry speed, body language all kinds of stuff. What I'm primarily looking for is reference points. Sometimes i will spend an hour looking at a 10 min YouTube video trying to pick up as much information I can about the track. One of the principles that Ross Bentley teaches is having as many reference points as you possibly can. The other thing I do is keep a journal of my sessions. After every session, I take about 10-15 mins and make a few notes about how the session went, different things that occurred while out on track, ideas, thoughts really anything that would help me to stay in front of the guy behind me. This routine is a huge help when I return to a track that I only get to once a season. It helps me get up to speed much quicker than going out and having to reacclamate myself to that track. The increase in speed will happen on its own as yor confidence grows. The way you grow your confidence is to become familiar with the track, and the way you increase your knowledge of the track is to study it, truly study it. Best of luck to you!

Like Ross Bentley says, we spend thousands of dollars to try and make our cars a tenth of a second faster, but the easiest component to change is the driver's brain.

Amateur or pro professional, if you want to shave a second or more off your lap times, Ross's Speed Secrets, Speed Secrets 2, Inner Speed Secrets. They make great stocking stuffers.