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Track Map
Turn 1
Summary:
- Braking: none
- Steering: mild right
- Throttle: Full
- Speed: 100-165MPH
Setup:
Instructors will tell you to get all the way to the left of the track to prepare for this corner. That is ok, but the racing line is to actually be about a car width from the left. Go ahead and experiment. This is quite an easy right-hander that only requires moving the steering wheel about 1/4-1/2". There is a barrier on your right which makes this a blind turn. There is also slight crest as you pass the end of the wall on your right, so don't lift throttle otherwise you might spin into the grass.
Mid-turn:
Stay on full throttle through the turn and get as close to the tip of the right-hand barrier as you can - that is your apex. Many street cars can reach 100-150MPH at this point in 4th or 5th gear. Don't be afraid of the speed, there is a huge braking zone coming up right after the corner.
Post corner:
Concentrate on stabilizing the car into the braking zone.
Turn 2
Summary:
- Braking: heavy
- Steering: long medium left
- Throttle: modulate
- Speed: 50-75MPH
Setup:
Advanced drivers: brake late and brake hard. Beginner drivers: brake early and concentrate on setting up for proper turn-in. The pavement here is smooth and brand new as of 2010. Previously the pavement was quite rough causing many cars to pull left and right under braking and making it difficult to choose an optimal turn-in spot. The pavement is smoother about 1/2 car width away from the right edge of the track - so you don't have to follow the proper line taught by all the driving schools. Get your down shifting done in the braking zone - most cars should be in 3rd gear for Turn 2.
Mid-turn:
After you get your braking done, the turn in point is a little later than you think. Try a couple different approaches until you find what works best for you and your car. Most street cars can maintain 50-60mph depending on available grip. More prepared street cars can maintain 65MPH+ while fully prepped race cars can maintain 75MPH+. The whole turn has been re-paved as of 2010 and previous seams and other landmarks in the pavement are gone. The banking is more pronounced and you can get some seriously high g-forces now. Make sure your seat belt is tight! begin crossing the center of the paved area towards the drag strip lanes on your left. Gradually add-throttle and allow the car to pull you through the apex. You should be on full throttle right before the apex - you'll really be surprised what the car will do for you. Don't fight it with the steering wheel, just use throttle pedal. As you pass the apex, unwind the steering wheel and track out to corner exit. Use the whole track!
Post corner:
Immediately after the turn check your mirrors and point cars by that may have caught up during the turn. Some clubs allow passing/let-by's here, some don't. You'll hit a slight crest and then downhill towards turn 3a...
Turn 3a
Summary:
- Braking: heavy
- Steering: sharp right
- Throttle: modulate
- Speed: 35-45MPH
Setting up for 3A:
As you accelerate down the hill towards 3A, you gain a lot of speed - 100MPH isn't too difficult for many street cars. This is the location where many street cars will exhibit brake fade. The brakes heat up a lot braking into turn 2 and sometimes don't get a chance to cool down much before hitting turn 3. There is a paved runaway path if you decide that you won't be able to slow down enough to make the turn. Don't be afraid to use it, although you will likely be called in to see the track marshal if you do. Be careful not to lock up the brakes when the track is wet. In fact, its probably better to stay towards the middle of the track when it is wet since there is a slight crown in the road which can exacerbate braking issues in the rain: See video
Mid-turn 3A:
Proper execution of the turn requires quite a bit of "trail-braking" where you begin braking in a straight line and continue braking through the first 1/3rd of the corner. Most club lapping events will have cones setup showing you this curved braking zone. Try to make your braking one long and smooth event. Use the threshold braking technique where you start off hard on the brakes, and gradually ease off towards the end. Most cars can take this corner in 3rd gear while some drivers opt for 2nd gear. At the final cone, turn-in sharply to the right and add maintenance throttle to pull you through the apex. Track out toward the left as much as your car will naturally carry you. Some cars use the whole track, some don't. At this point you should be at mid-full throttle.
Turn 3b
Summary:
- Braking: quick stab
- Steering: sharp left
- Throttle: modulate
- Speed: 35-40MPH
Setup:
While on the throttle, gently coax the car back towards the right so that you are going parallel to track - don't actually aim for the turn-in cone, aim just to the left of the turn-in cone. When you reach the turn-in point, you want to be parallel to the track, not pointing towards the cone. Just before the turn in cone, give a quick stab on the brakes to transfer weight to the front tires. Some advanced drivers choose to shift down to 2nd gear at this point. You need to be good at heel-toe here because the braking zone is so short. 2nd gear provides more torque so its easier to accelerate out of the corner, but on a wet track, that torque may be difficult to control [see next section]. In any case, turn-in as late as possible, but make sure not to put a wheel in the dirt, otherwise you may spin: See video
Mid-turn 3B
After turning-in, get back on to maintenance throttle. There are some rough spots in the pavement which will wreak havoc on most traction control systems, so make sure to turn driving aids off. A limited slip differential, especially on front-wheel drive cars, helps tremendously in this corner. You can experiment with different lines to get smoother pavement, but chances are you are going to hit a rough patch on at least one wheel. Get the car rotated as fast as you can and pointed straight. Get on to full throttle quickly. Try it out - you can probably get back onto full throttle a lot sooner than you think. Track out to the exit cone.
Post corner:
Check your mirrors, and let cars by that may have caught up through turns 3A/3B. There is a long straight where you have the opportunity to let 3 or 4 cars by as necessary.
Turn 4
Summary:
- Braking: none
- Steering: minimal
- Throttle: Full
- Speed: 70-100MPH
This is really a disguised straightaway. Get towards the left edge of the crest and minimize steering wheel movements. Keep accelerating till you reach a little valley...
Turn 5a
Summary:
- Braking: moderate
- Steering: medium left
- Throttle: modulate
- Speed: 50-65MPH
Setup:
At the bottom of the valley is the beginning of your braking zone for turn 5A. Many street cars can get up to 90-100MPH at this point - some cars will be in 3rd gear some in 4th. In most cars you'll want to take the turn in 3rd gear. Brake hard in a straight line - advanced drivers will want to trail brake a little to the right edge of the track to setup for turn 5A. Beginners, just scrub off speed and concentrate on hitting the apex.
Mid-turn:
Keep on maintenance throttle.
Turn 5b
Summary:
- Braking: optional quick stab
- Steering: moderate right
- Throttle: Full
- Speed: 55-75MPH
Some drivers like to take a quick stab on the brakes to set the suspension, some folks just keep on throttle. The aim here is to round out the corners and concentrate on smoothness. This is the most technical part of the racetrack and if you are a beginner, you'll see some drivers go a lot faster than you can imagine! Its really all about the smoothness.
Turn 6
Summary:
- Braking: none
- Steering: moderate left
- Throttle: Full
- Speed: 70-80MPH
The Rhythm and smoothness from 5A and 5B continues into turn 6. Many cars can take this turn at full throttle. Pay attention to the distance between you and the car in front of you and manage your speed accordingly. Do not fully lift throttle or you will oversteer and hit the embankment on your left, especially in wet weather.
Post corner:
Some higher powered cars may be able to overtake on the uphill portion, but most club lapping days only allow overtaking in "advanced" run groups. Again be careful and keep your distance.
Turn 7
Summary:
- Braking: none
- Steering: mild left
- Throttle: Full or maintain
- Speed: 80-105MPH
There is a lot of freedom in how you can take this turn. The track widens out considerably as you pass over the drag strip lanes once again. Club-lapping day organizers often place a turn-in cone on teh right and an apex cone on your left which you should try to get very close too. No brake here. Turn in deliberately and hold your line. You can once again reach 100MPH by the end of this corner, so don't lift throttle otherwise you'll likely spin out and hit a tire barrier. Maintain throttle or accelerate. Get ready for the braking zone for turn 8...
Turn 8
Summary:
- Braking: heavy
- Steering: long moderate left
- Throttle: modulate
- Speed: 50MPH-70MPH
Braking in this corner can be tricky for beginners. If you're carrying lots of speed, don't try to line up parallel to the drag strip staging lanes before braking, rather, brake diagonally left-to-right across the lanes. Keep your car straight. Advanced drivers will brake later and trail brake towards the left. Turn -in is later than you think. Most club-lapping days place a turn-in cone which will help beginners a lot! Pay attention to that cone and get really close. Turn in sharply and get back on throttle quickly. You should be at full throttle at the apex and track out towards the right. Use as much of the track as you can - you'll make the course longer, but youll get way higher speeds on the upcoming straight and can reduce your laptimes by a second or two. Keep holding the steering wheel and very gradually unwind. You'll find the car magically pull itself back towards the left and set you up for turn 9...
Turn 9
Summary:
- Braking: none
- Steering: moderate right
- Throttle: Full
- Speed: 75-95MPH
After tracking back towards the left of the track, try to place your car over the white #7 marking in the pavement. Thats your turn-in point. The racing line is actuall 1-2 car widths to the right of the #7. The apex is the edge of the grandstand fence. Most club-lapping days will place a cone on top of the fence. Try to get really close to that fence and keep that throttle planted. You'll be 80-100MPH by now, so once again, don't lift throttle or you'll find yourself in the grass. Right after the turn, there is a dip in the road so keep your hand firmly on the steering wheel. Track out towards the grass.
Post corner:
Check your mirrors and wave by cars as necessary, otherwise keep your foot planted. This straightaway is a great opportunity to check your gauges and take a couple deep breathes and stretch your fingers.
Turn 10
Summary:
- Braking: none
- Steering: minimal
- Throttle: Full
- Speed: 100-140MPH
Turn 10 isn't really a turn at all. Just flick the steering wheel 1/4" to the left, and then 1/4" to the right. while keeping your foot planted...
