Considering that we have an assload of experienced drivers

[Andy]

Can we have you guys walk us through your approach to a particular circuit. Let's use SP Main. What are you looking for as you approach the turns? What you do with your hands? How about telling the rest of us what your thought process is on a turn by turn basis. I'm kind of curious as to how each person approaches a turn.

I ask because after hearing in classroom about how guys see this tree or this marker for this turn, I tried using visual cues and it not only made me slower but more sloppy and borderline dangerous.

I've found more sucess just looking through the turn as far as I can, line up the car and stepping on the go pedal. Is that kosher?

[.RJ]

When you see god, apply the brakes. Turn in at the 'E' marker on the side of the track. Repeat.

[Evan]

I've found more sucess just looking through the turn as far as I can, line up the car and stepping on the go pedal. Is that kosher?

thats what I do. Establish a "mental picture" of the proper line through the corner and use that. Turn in markers are good when you are learning, but as you learn to feel the car and how your inputs affect its trajectory (in advance), you will drive more mentally, which leaves your eyes to focus on more important things, like all the way through the corner.
But you cant start doing it this way if you arent consistent enough, and randomly turn in 10 feet too early or 10mph too fast.

Im damn consistent, but the only specific reference point I use at SP main are braking markers into T1.
My whole field of vision is my reference, my periferals, and where I know my car is on the track in relation to where I know it should be.

[D_Eclipse9916]

No experience on track, but I am damn consistent always in Autocrosses and karting events. My first run on a course is typically a few seconds slower but after the second one im always within a few tenths. I Am very consistent for some reason, but if you try to look at markers, you will mess yourself up. I envision the course like a projected line on the corner, using peripherals for how close I am to the sides of the track and my real vision for further up ahead instead of focusing on the part of the corner where I am at. Its about focusing on staaying on that "projected line" and setting myself up to stay on that line by lookign way ahead.


Of course........ I could be completely wrong!

[stinkycheezmonky]

Andy, while I understand your question there is a problem. Because all of us have different experience, different driving style, and different cars, we can't tell YOU how to go fastest in your car, y'dig? I might say I brake at the #2 marker on the front straight at Summit, but that's with my car, style, brakes, tires, and so on. Same deal with my line through the caroussel.

On the other hand, if you're just looking for information, I can write something up, though I drive like Mike and Ryan in that I feel it out, rather than analyze it.