Hi everyone, as the title says really,
i went on track saturday with the prototype we have built, same sort of thing as an atom,
its got 260bhp turbo lump, but wasn t running properly.
the problem i kept having was tryng to keep the arse end in line through the corners!
all i done was spent the hole day drifting!
its great fun but the tyres don t like it and slows the lap times down
it isnt because im on the power either ,my mate thinks im on the brakes a little too long entering the corner could that be the reason?
how do you take a corner properly in a midi style car then?
all track tips welcome as im really keen to learn from peoples experiences
thanks mike
Being smooth is critical. Your brake application can be hard but the transition between coming off the braking, steering angle and throttle
application have got to be very smooth, especially with that sort of torque and power.
You can't rule out throttle application causing your problems unless it is happening when you aren't even touching it.
Set up wise, you could make sure your toe setting are ok at the rear.
If you are on the brakes too long, then maybe you have too much rear brake bias. But logic suggests that being on 'too long' shouldnt be the
problem if it doesnt happen straight away.
Corner exit is far more important than your entry in terms of lap time. Get on the brakes earlier and try and maintain good apex speed but focus on
getting the power down smoothly. Only apply the power if you know you don't have to take it off again. If you are constantly on and off then you
are really upsetting the balance of the car.
Try slowing your entrance speed down.
If your on the brakes too long and then turn in your back end will be light and likely to wonder, especially with a midi set up.
If your back end starts off unbalanced it will end up unbalanced.
brake in a straight line, gentle turn in then power on to drive through the apex.
If you get a fast exit it will greatly increase the lap times.
HTH and is not patronizing (or incorrect!)
Oh and practice! Get climatised to high speed. I know Im not and thats why I need practice!!
quote:
Originally posted by SeanStone
Only apply the power if you know you don't have to take it off again. If you are constantly on and off then you are really upsetting the balance of the car.
I think feathering is a little different to being on and off.
1:50 onwards
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtaV_cOGgTM
quote:
Originally posted by SeanStone
I think feathering is a little different to being on and off.
1:50 onwards
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtaV_cOGgTM
lol thats not really what i was getting at. the key is to focus on being smooth and firstly work on your exit, then find the limits of your entry. it will make it a lot easier to find out what could be sending you sideways
I suppose it could be loads of things ,mapping,suspension,taking the corner line wrong but if it was'nt doing it when your friend drove it then
id say you have a heavy foot ,you want to ease the power on and not just stamp it to floor
With 260bhp and a mid engined car weighing 5-600kg ?? I'd expect that to be sideways city!
What tyres are you using?
adrian
i'd ask someone who does a lot of track days to have a blast round in it to give his opinion on your setup. maybe you could ask your friendly local race instructor. most of these guys have a very strokable ego and the thought of being asked their incredibly valuble opinion tends to work a treat.
Thanks for all the posts, its given me a few things to consider,
i know i need more practise, thats for sure, we found out why we didnt have full power, the wastegate wasnt working properly so we werent getting any
boost!!
at the moment we ve got hankook road tyres fitted, but when ive destroyed them we will get some semi slicks fitted!
all your thoughts and experiences are very interesting to read do please keep them coming,
whats feathering the throttle? why? and how?