It's almost annoying when such simple advice is all it takes to go faster.
(Because it'd be much more fun to use a slow time as an excuse to buy more go-fast parts)
Photography by J.G. Pasterjak
A fast, four-cone slalom exiting in a nearly 90-degree right.
I was tapping the brakes before that turn.
Don’t, a fellow competitor told me.
He was right.
The lesson learned?
Well, a couple to share.
One, it’s okay to talk to other drivers between runs. Ideally, of course, query those outpacing you.
Make your question easy to process, too, as everyone’s busy on grid: Should I do this or that?
And two, less brakes usually equals more speed.
Even though his Miata makes much more grip than mine courtesy of wider, stickier tires–no, we’re not in the same class–he was still right: My Miata didn’t need a tap of the brakes to avoid spinning out in embarrassment.
I just needed a little lift off the gas to shed some speed and move enough weight forward.
The result: an improvement in time.
It's almost annoying when such simple advice is all it takes to go faster.
(Because it'd be much more fun to use a slow time as an excuse to buy more go-fast parts)
I can't remember where I heard it, but I shared it with a co-worker who was still learning autocross:
"The fastest way around a course will have the most on-throttle time."
It makes sense from a basic physics level, and it's definitely helped me pick up time over the years.
In reply to BA5 :
It took me a second, but yeah, that makes a lot of sense.
In reply to BA5 :
Less coasting, too, can help lower those times.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
Typically, if you are coasting, you are losing time.
On throttle time is good, but not a perfect indicator.
If a driver overslows for corners, that will lead to more time on the throttle and slower lap times.
I like to think about it more like this:
The fastest way around a course is through minimizing your time at the slowest speeds.
Or, to put it another way, gaining 2mph through the slowest section is WAY better than gaining 2mph at the end of the straight.
BA5 said:I can't remember where I heard it, but I shared it with a co-worker who was still learning autocross:
"The fastest way around a course will have the most on-throttle time."
It makes sense from a basic physics level, and it's definitely helped me pick up time over the years.
Mostly true. I remember when my times first started to pick up a lot is when I stopped being afraid of the throttle and getting into it, even if it made me nervous. If you optimize for throttle on time you might end up with weird lines, but being on throttle and braking is faster than coasting into a turn that you're afraid of the entry speed.
I tend to think position first. Where do I want my car on each exit? Make a plan to get there.
Distance second. Whats the shortest plausible route. That doesn't mean come to a stop and drive straight lines, but avoid unnecessary track out, keep it tight in Slaloms, etc.
Speed last. That doesn't mean go slow, but drive at the limit and don't try to force a higher corner speed. Its almost always quicker to be slower and tight than faster and 10ft off the cones. Also its a reminder for newer drivers that speed comes from correct position and line. Just over driving more will usually make it slower.
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