Race driving guideFrom TrackpediaWant to race? Good. Start reading, than! Advanced motoring covers all sorts of driving, riding, boating and flying that are beyond "mondane." This guide will introduce you to some of the techniques and methods behind racing and performance driving. Performance driving is often concieved as an act of aggression and risk-taking. In fact, it is a matter of finese, accuracy and a cool mind. The practical skills are acquired by training (under the watchfull eye of an instructor or trainer), but proper understanding comes before the actual performance. This guide can have a detrimental effect on your ability to perform the drills in real time. A note on driving as a concept First, we must understand that driving -- as a general term -- is more dangerous and complex than the average road driver might believe. If driving was so easy, than people would start driving in the age of 12 with no test, plus there would have been no accidents, and everyone would drive like Michael Schumacher. Driving is not an automated and simple chore. Many people think about driving as speed and of "good" driving as fast. Others think in terms of safety, and of "good" driving as either being slow, attentive or simply not being involved in accidents. Others prefer smooth or comfortable driving, etcetra. As for you, have you never thought of driving as something "more"? Is there nothing more to high-performance driving than just fast? The truelly good driver distinguishes himself from all of those by talking in terms of "Effective driving", which is a concept that involves all the aspects of speed, safety, comfort, milleage. As drivers on the road or on the track, the techniques and the essence of "Effective driving" is own goal, and fast or "safe" are by-products of it. If you talk about effective or "professional" driving as a concept, as ART or as a value, than you have made the first and most important step to becoming a serious driver, even simply on the road! Drive good and invest thought and effort into every trivial aspect of driving, just to get it right, just to get it the way it should be done (and there is such a way), to do it like the pros do. They are the true artists. This will carry much greater an impact on people watching you, than the sloppy pose that says: "Driving is nothing for me". Instead, built a model of admiration and professionalism. Encourage yourself that you are not driving badly, but do not overboost your confidence by thinking you "drive good". You should always look for places for improvement. Know the difference (which appears slim to ameatures) between something that "works" and something that gets the job done optimally or near-optimum. Drive effectivelly in order to drive effectivelly. Use the model for "effective driving" as your menifest in driving, according to which you judge your driving and the driving of others. Beware of people who disgrace this important value, that drive in a certain way merely according to "habits" that they are reluctant to change, because it manages, by luck, supreme intervention or the skill of those around them, to get from A to B safetly or quickely, not wondering or carring even it could be done "faster" or "safer" than it is. Have a question, comment or suggestion? You can go to our Disscussion Forums or PM the author. A Note on reading This guide is quite comprehensive. So reading all the way through it is not going to be so effective, now is it? The solution is to take it slowly, chapter by chapter. A good idea would be to summarize each chapter for yourself before moving on, and than recheck each summary before moving on to the next. It's important to take the advice to heart and apply it within set periods of time. Take several "trails" for yourself to achieve within a few weeks after each article. This is a good method (as proven in behavioristic research) to create a change in habits.
Preparing for the raceCan your actions off of the road or track influence your performance? Advanced DrivingYour basic guide to summarize all points of this guide briefly in advance. It will teach you about setting up the car, making preparations, car control, braking, planning ahead, limit-handling, drivability, practice sessions, setups and cornering. Safety at the trackMotorsport and performance driving might not be as dangerous as you think, because of the presence of driving skills, safety measures and rules. However, due to speed and physical forces involved, it's important to comprehend the dangers of motorsport and safety at the track. Car modificationsA well-maintained and properly tuned vehicle is going to work with the driver rather than again him. This can create a significant shift as to the actual performance of the car. Driving PreperationsHow to prepare man and machine for a motoring event. This includes mental planning and preperation, mechanical check-up and driving mentality during the race itself. Practice sessionsHow to make the most out of practice sessions and laps and improve personal performance. Track rulesRacing tracks take their rules seriously. Any violation is followed by either a serious warning, a penalty or removal of the driver from the event. It is vital to grasp the rules of the track to race. Seating positionAdjusting the proper driving posture is the most crucial aspect when setting up the car to the car. It has direct effect on car control, secondary safety, vision and alertness, as well as other factors. So, is there such a thing as a "proper" posture?
Car controlGripGrip generates adhesion. Adhension generates steering, acceleration and braking, and is divided between the three operations. You must learn the concept of grip and adhension, and learn how to effect both in order to maximize them.
SteeringDo you know how to turn the wheel? A proper steering stlye can dramatically impact the driver's control. There are various styles and methods of turning the wheel. This article will present some and infer which is prefered in each situation.
Making mistakesMistakes are the most important aspect of the learning experience. Learn them and you will learn what to do and what not to do far more effectivelly. BrakingA car can brake faster than it can steer or accelerate. Therefore, in theory, the impact of a proper braking technique should be superior to a proper manner of accelerating or turning. Unfortunately, the braking techniques are also quite hard to acquire.
Rev-matchingHow to downshift smoothly before a corner?
ShiftingHow to properly shift up and down the gears? Car skiddingWhat to do when the car goes beyond the limit and starts to slide?
Visual fieldOne of the things that will perfect smooth control over all of these fields is the eyes and where they are looking.
Driving techniquesStart LaunchStarting the race by getting off of the start line quickly is crucial. How to get it inch perfect? Fast drivingHow to drive as fast as possible? CorneringAll of the aspects of proper driving come down to the manner in which the driver enters and exits the turns of the track or road. This will have the greatest effect on performance, but sadly it is the most difficult aspect of proper driving. PassingHow to beat your opponents in traffic. OtherJumpsHow to get across jumps and crests quickly and safely. DriftHow to control the car when it has gone beyond it's limits Handbrake turnA known technique used in rallying and autocrossing to get the car around the tightest of corners. Surprsingly enough, it's quite simple to master. Apel contra ApelA group of methods of further upsetting the more stable cars in slippery racing. J-TurnHow to end up opposite to where you was heading. This method is usefull for stunt driving and some autocrossing. DonutsA custom method of celebrating a fast lap or won race by spinning the car on set around and around. Racing EncyclopediaThe Trackpedia Racing Encyclopedia, for various racing concepts. Milescenouos:
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