Track Day Guy

Let's explore the different run groups for a typical Porsche Club of America (PCA) event. In this specific case, we're looking at the Kentucky PCA region event at NCM Motorsports Park in Bowling Green, KY. The event is set up to take a driver from the beginning stages of an HPDE, (where passing is limited and speeds are slower), to advanced running, (with higher speeds and open passing). The KYPCA event is fairly typical for both Porsche events as well as other club events. Some groups add or subtract run groups, but all HPDEs, (High-Performance Driving Events), follow a similar template.

Let's get crackin' around the picturesque Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL! Here is a turn-by-turn guide to help your track weekend go smoothly.

Let's take a Hot Lap with David Murry around one of the greatest tracks in the U.S.--Road America!

For some reason, a few unhelpful ideas continue to persist around HPDE events.  Some ideas and habits are easily corrected and some become deeply ingrained in a driver's behavior. We'll look at a few of those ideas and they provide more helpful alternatives!

Data Analysis! Yaw! vMin! What is all of this stuff and why does it matter. Those, among other things, are the keys to getting around the track faster. Let's find out why!

Today we break down moving from Novice to Expert driver into five steps. Also, let's dive into the Dunning-Kruger Effect and discuss how it relates to driver development.

What is the core essence of high-performance driving? When we boil everything down, what is it, exactly? Let's dive in!

Is rotation sliding the car, a la Chris Harris' YouTube videos? How about understeer? Oversteer? What does your instructor mean EXACTLY when they say "Rotate the Car"? Let's find out!

Sometimes figuring out how to drop your lap times or how to go a bit faster down that straight can be complicated. But sometimes you can focus on things that are simple. (Simple doesn't mean easy!) This is one of those topics!

To wrap up our four-part series on braking, let's discuss how to approach braking based on the type of car you're driving. Whether you're driving a low- medium- or high-horsepower car, there are specific techniques you can use to approach and move through the corners faster. One last time, let's go! Wait, I did it again...let's STOP!

I'm sure you've heard the phrase, (usually delivered in a complimentary way), "they were the last of late brakers into that corner!" Is that always the best method for going faster? I think there's a better way. Pick conservative braking points, then work on releasing the brake deeper into the corner. Then, slowly work your way into braking later. Let's dive in!

The term "trail braking" can be confusing and should probably be renamed "directional braking". And while I'm on my soapbox, why do we delay teaching this valuable skill in HPDE classes. Although it's considered an Intermediate to Advanced technique, gradually releasing pressure on the brakes as you enter a corner is fundamental to getting the car to do what you want it to do. Let go! I did it again...I mean, let's STOP!

Mario Andretti once said, "It's amazing how many drivers, even at the Formula 1 level, think that the brakes are for slowing the car." What did he mean, exactly? In this first of four episodes, we take a deep dive into braking. From shapes of corners to types and amounts of brake pressure traces, let's go!. Wait...no...let's S-T-O-P!

When looking at car setup, remember to get first things first. The driver has to be consistent. Then, work on a single variable at a time. Start with simple things like tire pressures. And work it from there.

When working hard to improve at something, it's tempting to think that we improve a little every day. But the research shows that improvement comes in fits and starts. Massive improvement, followed by hitting a plateau. Then a breakthrough. Then gradual improvement. And on and on!

What's the quickest way through the corner? A great place to start is corner entry speed. The more speed you can carry, the better off you'll be. Right? Well...

If you're car is oversteering, (the rear end steps out), it's natural to think the car needs to be upgraded with new equipment. Coil-Over Suspensions! Beefier Anti-Rollbars! Race Suspension Setups! Except...probably not. Here is a detailed look at other things it could be, including the most likely...you!

The line is the line until it's not. What is the line? There can be the safe "school line" which teaches someone who is new to the track the basic way to get around. But as you begin to explore more speed and car control concepts, alternate lines appear, as if from nowhere. Would it be faster to go in later? How about an earlier apex here? Higher minimum speed? Ooh, let's experiement!

When it comes to track driving, this topic of "grip" is the heart of what high-performance driving is all about. How fast can my car go? Where is it safe to push the limits? What happens if my car doesn't like my inputs? What's that squealing sound? Is that burnt smell my brake pads? Let's dig in to this critical topic!

Ah yes...the "black art" of setting tire pressures. Chances are, everyone you meet in the paddock will have a different opinion on where tire pressures should be set. Low pressures for grip? High pressures for sidewall stability? Manufacturer's spec on the door jamb? Here'a method suggested by NASA (National Auto Sport Association) to use as a starting point for figuring out your track pressures. BONUS EXTRA CREDIT:  Use a tire pyrometer to take tire temperatures across the tire!

Mario Andretti famously said, "It's amazing how many professional drivers--even at the F1 level--think that brakes are for slowing the car." As you begin to figure out the beginning of braking zones, you'll begin to get a feel for whether you're over- or under-braking. We're dedicating this episode to the art of rolling more speed into the corners. With the correct braking technique, your car can go much faster through turns that first meets the eye. Let's start finding out how much!

It's late in afternoon on Sunday. Most drivers have left the track to head home for the weekend. You have a free track; a list of things to work on; and a whole session to do it. Your instructor just solo'ed you. It sure would be nice to nail your best lap of the day. Here's how to do it!

It doesn't take long to figure out that you end up going right where you look. "Eyes Up", "Look Through the Corners" and "Find a Reference Point" are all phrases repeated at Track Days around the world. The further ahead you look, the faster you can go!

So you're heading to the track with your prized possession? This episode will get you revved up for the weekend. We'll talk about items to bring, documentation to prepare, and car prep—among other topics. If it's your first weekend, you'll find it new and exciting. If you're a grizzled veteran, this topic might help you relate to your paddock mate, or if you instruct, your new student!

This is a bit of a tricky title because, of course, there is no perfect line. But there are generally accepted ways to get around any given track in the most efficient way possible. Of course, this changes as conditions change. For example, the famous "Rain Line"! In addition, different cars go around corners in different ways, depending on where the engine is located or whether they have street tires or slicks. In any event, there's a perfect line for you during any given run session, so this episode will help you find it!

There's more to track weekends than just driving fast. Let's do a deep dive into some of the ways you can get more out of your track experience!

By far, the most underrated thing you can do at a track weekend is the humble "Track Walk". Just to clear up the obvious, it's not always a walk. Sometimes there's a trailer that takes everyone around. Sometimes you drive. Or sometimes you may even walk. No matter how you get around, seeing the track up close opens up worlds of options that are impossible to see at speed. From the texture of the asphalt and curbs, to the camber and elevation changes, doing a track walk will change your perspective and make you faster. Guaranteed!

If you have a Garmin Catalyst to record video and track data, the 5-15-1 Process is a great way to break down the amount of data that is recorded each session. What I like about the Catalyst is it's ability to break a large amount of data down into understandable action items. It also builds on what you've already done (as opposed to what an advanced or professional driver did on track). So, the goals is sets are usually attainable with a little practice and focus. The 5-15-1 Process is a great way to get there.

10-10ths Motorsports in an independent club that holds track days around the Midwest. With only three run groups, they have a few rules that differ slightly from a typical Porsche Club event. (For example, in the Advanced group, point-bys are optional.) It sounds scary at first, but 10/10ths has an emphasis on comaraderie and sportsmanship and Bill and his crew run a great event! So try them if you want to run at Putnam Park, NCM or Mid-Ohio.

About 10 years ago, I started traveling around driving different tracks across the United States. Pretty quickly, I realized I would need a process in order to optimize my short amount of time at each venue. My process starts with reading the documention provided by the hosting club. Then, I dig into tutorials that describe the track in detail, including corners, braking zones, straights, etc. Finally, I look at lots of YouTube videos and run the track on a simulator, if possible. Once I've done all of that, my work is just starting as I arrive for the track weekend. This episode breaks it all down!

Since we've worked through the basics, let's really dive into advanced car control. Whether you're participating in your local HPDE or Club Racing, car control is always on the list of things to improve on. The more car control skills you acquire, the more you can improve!

The "black art" of suspension set up and tuning can be confounding. Let's work our way through the basics of suspension, contact patch and alignment in order to get the most out of our cars at the HPDE event!

Let's make our way around the most classic of American Road Courses:  Watkins Glen. This turn-by-turn guide will have you shooting into the Laces, through the Toe and out of the Heel of the famous Boot. If you don't know what I'm talking about, then this episode is for you!

Let's dig into one of the most basic, but seemingly elusive, skills in high performance driving:  Trail Braking. Originally coined at the Skip Barber Driving School in the 1970s, the term "trail braking" refers to trailing off the brake slowly as you turn into a corner. You gotta trail brake to be fast, so let's go!

How to prepare for an HPDE track day. Helpful tips, too!