Trail Braking =-)

damnit458 · 03-09-2005, 01:31 PM

What is this? Ive heard this used a lot and Im not quite sure what it means. I tried google but I just get a buncha random shit about replacing tail lights :lol: . You'll hafta excuse my ignorance on the subject -_- I know close to nothing about actual driving techniques. Thanks for any responses!

**JohnC** · 03-09-2005, 01:48 PM

damnit458 Wrote:What is this? Ive heard this used a lot and Im not quite sure what it means. I tried google but I just get a buncha random shit about replacing tail lights :lol: . You'll hafta excuse my ignorance on the subject -_- I know close to nothing about actual driving techniques. Thanks for any responses!

You probably mean "Trail Braking". Google on that Smile

**Mike** · 03-09-2005, 01:50 PM

braking after you've begun turning... shifts weight to the front of the car a little bit, loosening the rear and allowing it to come around better. not to be practiced on the street Tongue

BLINGMW · 03-09-2005, 02:49 PM

just to add to mike's comment, yes, it's dragging the brakes into the corner instead of releasing just before turn in, which unloads the front end and reduces traction at turn in. As you tighten the turn, you're braking less and less, and depending on the car and the corner, you may benefit from taking some light braking all the way to apex. Generaly front drivers use it more, rear a little less, and mid or rear engine, even less.

Really the same concept as smoothly getting back on the gas on apex and track out as you're unwinding the wheel, just the other way. It's used to keep the tires working 100% all the time instead of getting a little break between the "tires working 100% for braking" and "tires working 100% for turning" phases of the corner. Not surprisingly, it's harder on your tires. Instructors don't usually introduce it until more basic techniques have been mastered as it quickly leads to loss of control and spins. wheeeeee!!!!!!

.....unless you really DO mean "tail" braking, maybe G knows something about that? :?:

damnit458 · 03-09-2005, 03:16 PM

LOL holy shit didnt mean to write tail...heh oops! im not that retarded -_-

thanks for the responses guys

Maengelito · 03-09-2005, 06:45 PM

BLINGMW Wrote:it quickly leads to loss of control and spins. wheeeeee!!!!!!

see me at turn 4 at summit back when i was in group 1. holy shit, christina should be a balled up piece of aluminum because of that, but luckily nothing happened.

**Mike** · 03-09-2005, 06:49 PM

Maengelito Wrote:
BLINGMW Wrote:it quickly leads to loss of control and spins. wheeeeee!!!!!!

see me at turn 4 at summit back when i was in group 1.

which time?

BLINGMW · 03-09-2005, 07:05 PM

ha, I went off big time there too, because of the same thing. 8)

**G.Irish** · 03-09-2005, 08:57 PM

Trail braking also allows you to start braking later thereby maintaining your speed from the straight a little bit longer. It doesn't save you as much time as getting on the gas earlier but when you're looking for those last few tenths or trying to pass someone (or prevent the pass) its a great technique.

See also, left foot braking...

Evan · 03-09-2005, 11:07 PM

it is more effectively used as a tool to compress braking zones and extend acceleration zones. It is used more heavily with purpose built racecars and downforce cars where the suspension can be setup to allow better for the hard braking while corner loaded without upsetting the car.

Ive got some great footbox video of Gary Sheehan in his USTCC WRX trailbraking right to the apex, Ill see if I can find it and throw it up on a server

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