ECR Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 Having just returned from spectating at Curborough (instead of organising it !) it struck me that quite a few competitors can probably make chunks of time by improving their braking techniques. A significant number seem to lift very early on Woodside and then coast into the Molehill. The same thing happens on the short straight into Fradley hairpin. They are basically using the habits which they have gained in everyday road driving. If you keep the power on longer and brake harder (particularly at those 2 points) you will see immediate improvements in times. When you think about it very few of us ever hit the brakes really hard in normal road driving (which is what you should be doing here). We may press firmly or even very firmly, but very rarely hit the brake pedal in the way that I advocate. I recommend finding a quiet stretch of tarmac and practising b***s out braking so you can find the limits, then start to use this on track. Whenever I have given tuition at Curborough, every pupil without fail is very reluctant to hit the brake pedal hard and it takes quite a few attempts and much persuasion before they do it with confidence. You should either be on the throttle or on the brake (preferably hard if possible). Never allow yourself to “coast” As with all things practice makes perfect… Just my opinion of course 😬 Edited by - ecr on 17 May 2009 14:30:38 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skydragon Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 Having just started in 'motorsport' this year and initially thinking it was all about using the accelerator as much as possible... I now realise it's as much, if not more, about braking correctly. I agree with your comments, but it does take some doing to overide long time braking habits gained on the road. This process isn't helped by the seven's non-servo assisted brakes needing massive ammounts (comparatively) of pedal pressure to achieve the desired result. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LesG Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 I fully understand and agree with you ECR. It took me a long time to learn how and when to brake in my previous track car (Mk3 Golf VR6), especially after I removed the servo and went onto a bias-bar pedalbox! It does take balls to go deeper and deeper into a corner to find your braking point (especially fast corners like Clervaulx and Tower at Croft), but it's oh so satisfying when you get it right! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blokko Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 but it's oh so satisfying when you get it right!And can be oh so expensive if you get it wrong Steve - Orange and Black ex Academy - my other car is a very smelly Mondeo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Desmond Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 It must have been me that you were watching today - many thanks for the advice/observations. I will have another go in August! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECR Posted May 17, 2009 Author Share Posted May 17, 2009 I know how fragile egos can be (i've got one). If it was you, don't take it as a criticism. It's an opportunity to discover that you really CAN drive faster Success in sprinting lies between the ears, not at the end of the right leg ... Ex Chairman Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Desmond Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 Don't worry, I didn't take it as criticism - I am happy to receive all the help I can get! At my age I can do with it. P.S.I was No. 35 today. Regards Mike Desmond Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Nick Chan Posted May 17, 2009 Area Representative Share Posted May 17, 2009 Hi Roger, You should either be on the throttle or on the brake (preferably hard if possible). Never allow yourself to “coast” I have heard this said several times including a very speedy lap of Oulton Park with Ken Evans in V11 UFO and most recently from Mr Price (on today's trackwalk) and its very sound advice Nick Back in a BEC! - But trying to get into Class 1... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tam Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 You must have been doing something right yesterday Nick 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Richard Price Posted May 18, 2009 Area Representative Share Posted May 18, 2009 On my two wet runs, it all went wrong before my foot had gone anywhere near the brake pedal 😳 😳 However, my personal target was to brake later everywhere on my second timed run, but then it rained again ☹️ Edited by - Richard Price on 18 May 2009 10:46:11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kart Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Nice to see some advice from an experienced bystander ECR 😶🌫️ and I mean that in a respectful manner naturally P.S. is your conrod back inside the block yet? Edited by - kart on 21 May 2009 20:34:57 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taffyracer Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 a good rule that I used to use was when you want to break, quickly count to 2 then brake, that extra bit of time on the power is useful and if you go in too fast just carry the speed through Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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