Be a Better Track Day Driver: Minimize Change In Speed

Minimize Change In Speed to Drive Faster on the Race Track

The common advice, “Go into corners slow and come out fast” is a good place to start, but to be a really fast performance or race driver you need go into corners fast, and come out even faster. In other words, you need to minimize the amount you slow down. In this Quick Tip I talk about what I call the “Change in Speed” problem – the problem of over-slowing the car.

Whether you're a beginner with HPDE (High Performance Driver Education) events, a regular track day driver, an experienced race driver, or anything in between, I aim my Speed Secrets high performance driving tips at you. All have one thing in common: to help you be an even better driver.

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[CaptainSpork]

Hi Ross. Big fan of your books and YouTube content. One question that's been on my mind regards to coasting. I know you say "never coast" but I some times notice that drivers who have a car with a very strong front end sometimes seem to finish trail braking at some point before the apex, for example (just making up a number) 75% of the way between the turn in point and the apex. I've seen drivers like Kimi Raikkonen do this from time to time when he has a front end that's strong enough to drag the car the rest of the way to the apex without keeping as much weight on the front end. What's your take on this? Perhaps I'm misinterpreting the situation? Thanks a bunch for all your great content.

[reinarzmotorsports]

Any videos relating to oval racing coming soon?

[poonphansukhumsawad]

Hi Ross, Love your channel. I do have a question about the term “direction change” as often heard from commentators. Is it differ from cornering or just some jargon?

[Anlightenment]

Thanks thats what i know my mistake was but.... how to improve that how to minimize this change of speed in the actual manuver

[JohnUnit]

This really helped me figure out a mistake I keep making. I'll go into a turn, overslow, and then get too heavy on the throttle and oversteer/powerslide out of the corner. The fact that I needed significant throttle to step the tail out should be an indicator that I can take the corner faster next time.

So if I have this right, if I can add significant throttle mid-turn before I have the back step out (in a reasonably stable RWD car), I'm probably taking the turn too slowly. Is that on the right track?