How to Drive Fast in a Race Car

Learning to Lap Faster takes Training and Proper Use of Track Time

Apr 25, 2009

Having watched motorsport on TV and attended a few races, a lot of young people want to explore the world of motorsport as a driver.

The first time someone drives a race car, one of two things happens; the would-be race driver decides this is just not for them (“these things are way too fast for me”), or they believe they have found their calling in life and they will be the next Lewis Hamilton. But driving fast, very fast, is something that only a few people can do to a level that will take them to the top - not everyone can be an F1 driver.

Going Fast on a Track is Different

First and foremost, driving fast on the street is not the way to learn how to drive on the limit. Besides being dangerous to all concerned, most street driving is not even close to the speeds that will be achieved on a race track. A lot of would-be race drivers realize their is a big difference between going fast on the street and fast on a race track the very first time they get into a race car. (Most people on the street do not want to race against you, everyone on the track does!)

Race Driving School

Attending a professional race school is the ideal introduction to motorsport. The school will employ professional drivers who will advise the beginner on every aspect of driving fast.

Most race car driving schools will have a classroom briefing session before drivers are allowed onto the track. These briefings will consist of: understanding the cars, correct lines through the turns, correct braking points etc. and, above all, safety considerations.

Race school instructors will always tell their students to be consistent and not to go too fast too soon (“he was really quick, but crashed on the second lap”). Driving within their limitations at all times will ensure the new driver safely progresses.

Driving Consistently

Being consistent will pay dividends in lap time reduction. For example, if a driver can change gear in exactly the same place every lap, then speeds up the change by 1/10th of a second each time, he will save a full second after 10 changes.

Having listened carefully to the instructors, and practiced over a number of laps, the new driver will be ready to do a fast lap. From the pits, the driver will make his way onto the track checking for other traffic and accelerating hard to get onto the racing line (depending on the track layout). The out lap will be to warm the tires and brakes, and also to bring the car up to speed.

Braking as Hard As Possible

With the car and tires at working temperatures, the driver will be at wide-open throttle on the start straight (again, depending on the track layout) concentrating on the braking point for turn one. As he nears the braking point, he will be ready to move his foot from the throttle to brake as fast as possible (assuming he is not yet using his left foot to brake). Initially, he will apply the brakes as hard as possible while traveling in a straight line.

As the car decelerates, the driver will be looking for his turn in point. As he turns the steering wheel, he will be easing off of the brakes (tires can only take so much). Near to the corner’s apex, the driver will be moving his foot back onto the throttle pedal and will gradually apply power as the car drifts through the turn. Each of these driving actions will have been done as smoothly as possible so as not to upset the balance and grip of the car.

Stick to The Racing Line

Once the car is at full throttle on the next straight, the driver will quickly check his mirrors and instruments. If a faster car is about to come past, the new driver must stick to his line (the racing line), the other car will come past safely this way.

Each corner and each straight will be approached in a similar way, making for a fast but safe lap.

Getting the most performance from a race car takes time and practice. With training and proper use of track time, a new driver, with natural ability, will learn to go quickly enough to win races and move onto the next level.

The copyright of the article How to Drive Fast in a Race Car in How to Race Cars is owned by John Glimmerveen. Permission to republish How to Drive Fast in a Race Car in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.