How to Find Time Down at the Track
Daily Slideshow: This is how you get faster.
Get a Hot Shoe
Not a new set of driving shoes…get a new driver behind the wheel. Every track event (or track for that matter) has a hot shoe. Networking goes a long way in this part of the development process. Having guys who are trustworthy and fast (you are looking for both) get behind the wheel will immediately help you figure out where there’s time on the table. But you have to remember to…
image courtesy of porsche.com
Data Log Everything
Having someone get out and tell you where they are braking was outdated in the 70s. These days an onboard data acquisition system can be found for a few hundred dollars. What you can do with video overlay, rpm and mph are staggering. Especially if you have someone fast to compare to. It’s very common to see people over driving into braking zones where they think it’s fast to be aggressive so these are generally a good place to start micro-analyzing your lap times.
image courtesy of porsche.com
On Predictive Lap Timers
Predictive lap timers are pretty cool, but it’s better to compare to a person and work on particular sections one at a time. Often, a predictive lap timer is a metaphoric carrot dangling on a string that will always show you a time just slightly faster. They can tempt you into pushing too hard in sections where you aren’t truly sure there is more time, so be cautious with these devices. Use these as another tool in your toolbox as opposed to the entire device your workshop relies on.
image courtesy of cnet.com
Exits and Equipment
The most important corner on any track is the one that leads onto the longest straightaway. Make sure you’re getting good clean exits on these types of corners and not overdriving the car. If your lap times are really consistent and clean (within half a second over 10+ laps for example) then you may need to find time through equipment. It's possible that tire grip is maxed out and the car is just at the limit. This is why letting someone else drive the car proves vital to your learning. It saves money too!
image courtesy of flickr.com
You Might Have Hit THE Plateau
There are plateaus and then there is the plateau. The Plateau occurs when you are at a limit with your own driving and need to pursue knowledge of things like vehicle dynamics, engineering and general setup theory that aim to improve how the parts on your car work together. This means understanding things like suspension geometry, camber curves and anti-Ackerman that will help push your knowledge of the car to the next level. Better cars are often the root of real victories on the race track. The same can be said of lap times at a track day.
Final Thoughts
When you peak as a driver, it’s important to not get frustrated and impatient. It’s also not advisable to simply to spend a bunch of money on horsepower and better tires. Take a moment to ask yourself if there is a better way the car could be working mechanically to rotate better in the corners. Invest in a probe type tire pyrometer and start to understand how your rubber interacts with the road. Focus on your driving and seek out the experience of people who are faster than you. It’s all about having fun and learning how to chop off time. See you at the race track.
image courtesy of pinterest.com
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