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Track Map
The Autodrome St-Eustache’s road course is about two kilometres in length. The track is not
very abrasive on tires but demands a lot from the bakes. Certain sections of the track represent a
good technical challenge for the driver.
Start/Finish line
In this section, you should be at full throttle,
maximum acceleration. The vehicle should be placed about mid track and directed straight
toward the bill board on the edge of the track near the stands.
Once near the stands, smoothly initiate a right hand turn, in a way to position the vehicle parallel
to the paddock wall. Don’t rip out the mirrors, but let the car get close to it. You are still full
throttle and you are focussing on your braking point. Braking is performed while the car is
heading straight, parallel to the wall. You will also downshift during this time.
You are now looking at the turn-in point of the “Esses”.
The Esses
The Esses are one of the track’s technical section. Many passes are required before achieving the
“good line” every time. If you refer to the track map, you will notice that the first curve of the
esses is tighter than the two others. It will therefore be necessary to “sacrifice” a little bit of
entry speed in order to get a good and fast exit.
After braking and downshifting, now smoothly initiate the vehicle in the first part of the Esses.
As you turn-in, get back on the throttle to maintain constant speed. Don’t be tempted to go for a
late turn-in. The first apex is late and you do not see it from the turn-in point. If you wait to see
the apex to initiate your turn-in, you will need to make a much sharper steering input and you
will not get “the good line”. Once past the first apex, your vision is now focussed on the apex of
the next curve. Resist the temptation of going for a early apex at the second curve. Use the exit
of the first curve to give the vehicle a little bit of depth, this will allow you to make a late apex
in the second curve.
The first and second curves, the car undergoes what we call the pendulum effect . It is
often necessary to lightly “tap” the brakes between the two curves (when the wheels are straight)
in order to re-stabilize the chassis. From the second apex, you can now lightly accelerate.
Concentrate on the last apex and let the vehicle drift out to the right of the track.
Common mistake: Early apex at the second curve and run out of track for the third curve.
The Carrousel
What is known as the “carrousel” is in fact a long constant radius, double apex curve. The
carrousel is another technical portion of the track and the key element for success in this section
simply lies in your vision. If you do not have a good visual reference, your line will be off in the
carousel.
Braking (and downshifting) is done in the small straight
section preceding the entry for the carousel. The vehicle
must be completely on the right edge of the track. Turn-in
point for the carousel is relatively late. A good visual
reference is the last block of the speed bumps, in the mid
section of the carousel. Turn the steering progressively
while looking at your reference (the speed bump). Your
steering input should be completed as you approach the
first apex. Keep a constant speed.
The vehicle should stay at a distance of approximately 3-4
feet from the first apex. Allow the vehicle to drift out
toward the speed bumps but don’t set the wheels on them.
They are slippery and the car’s suspension is “loaded” on
that side. If the wheels make it on the speed bumps, the
risk of a tail spin or an off track experience becomes very
real.
Normally, from this point on you can start re-accelerating progressively and your vision should
concentrate on the exit of the carousel.
Maintain a constant steering input and go for the second apex, you should stay about 3 feet from
it, you should now accelerate as much as the vehicle will allow and focus your vision on the exit.
Let the vehicle drift out to the edge of the track. Use all the surface the track offers.
Common mistake: An early turn-in for the Carousel will rapidly make you run out of track.
Depending on speed, your options will be increase steering input or go for a stroll in the grass.
The back straight
The name says it all!! In this section, put the pedal to the metal! The driver should take a quick
glimpse at important gauges like water temperature, oil pressure and temperature. The driver
will need to set up for the rapidly closing chicane.
The chicane
Probably the slowest section of the track, but it remains very important because the exit of the
chicane will launch the vehicle on a straight section. Top speed at the end of the straight directly
depends on how well you did in the chicane.
Before entering, hard braking is required and
downshift of two gears is not uncommon. This
is also a very good spot for out braking
opponents and passing.
The first curve of the chicane should be
sacrificed (keep the vehicle on the inside edge)
in order to make a late apex in the second. At
the apex of the second, maximum acceleration and let the vehicle drift out to the (left) edge of
the track but don’t touch the speed bumps. You are accelerating and they will de-stabilize the
vehicle if you go over them.
Entry of the “in field”
The entry of the oval’s infield is a very fast section and requires your undivided attention.
Driver error in this section can have dramatic results.
Again, you will need to establish accurate braking and turn-in markers. Depending on vehicle,
braking and/or downshifting may be required before entering the infield. Importance is to do so
while the vehicle is headed straight (thus balanced) before initiating turn-in.
Since this is a very high speed curve, the vehicle will go into four wheel drift. This is normal.
Do not attempt any sudden manoeuvres while this is happening. It is very important to maintain
a certain acceleration (not maximum) throughout the curve to stabilize the back end of the
vehicle.
For in-field entry, driver actions should follow this sequence: Braking, re-acceleration
and turn-in.
Dosing the right amount of acceleration during this curve is primordial. If you gave too much,
you will need to let go directly where the oval crosses the road course (bump) which will make
the back end come out. If you gave too little, the back end will come out because it will not be
“loaded” thus stabilized. So, maintain acceleration (well dosed) until the vehicle’s balance
comes back. At this moment, go hard on the brakes and downshift one gear if you haven’t done
so at the entry.
The “dog leg”
The dog leg is a 90/right hander. It’s a
simple curve with a centred apex.
Here’s the catch: Do not let the vehicle
drift out to the speed bumps on the edge
of the track as you exit the “dog leg”.
This may be difficult to achieve if you
carried too much speed because the
camber of the surface will pull you out
toward the outer edge. Don’t let the
vehicle drift out more than mid-track.
The hair pin
The name itself is a clue that this is a tight curve and the hair pin is the second slow section of the
track. The hair pin’s entry is another hard braking and downshifting zone. It is also well suited
for passing.
Upon exiting the “dog leg”, aim for the right edge of the track in as much of a straight line as
possible. Make sure you sacrificed enough speed. If you have not done so, the car will
understeer (plow) and your exit speed will be greatly reduced. Remember, the hair pin launches
you on a straight section.
Enter deep enough before initiating turn-in steering input
and look at the apex. The hair pin’s apex are the speed
bumps making the corner (refer to figure). Brush them but
don’t go ever them. From here on, progressively unwind the
steering and accelerate. Focus your vision on the exit
marker and let the vehicle drift out toward the wall. The
visual marker for the exit of the hair pin is the third lamp
post of the oval straight. It is at this location, that the
vehicle must be closest to the wall, but then again, don’t rip
out the mirrors! From here, draw a straight line toward the
bill board where the stands are.
Attention
In rain conditions, upon exiting the hair pin, be
sure to position the vehicle between the start patches for the drag strip. These become very
slippery when wet and may send you in the wall.
Well, here you are. You just completed a lap around the road course at the Autodrome Saint-
Eustache. Like on any track, to achieve competitive lap times one must be consistent. To do so,
locate good visual markers, be smooth and fluid in your actions. Be “clockwork”!
Dave Parcigneau
