What do you do before going to a new track

[Car54]

Well I'm heading to Summit Point Main for the first time in couple of weeks. No matter how much I look at a map or watch video, it never seems to prepare me for what to expect. The instructor's line always throws me a curve ball. What tips can you share in terms of doing track homework?

I have seen Traqmate logging over video which is helpful, but haven't found one for SPR Main.

Craig Brickner

[kbrew8991]

me - video combined with track guides (if availible...)

but that works great for me but apparently not for you.. so...

[thebionicman]

Originally Posted by kbrew8991

me - video combined with track guides (if availible...)

but that works great for me but apparently not for you.. so...

Same here. I try to have the video up and the track map at the same time. That way I can try to learn the corner numbers and where the corner workers are.

[kbrew8991]

and the guides if written well can help describe subtleties in lines, elevation changes, etc that might not be apparent in videos

[jamesb]

At this point in my experience I just go out and drive. The more laps I turn the more I can adjust from the 'basic' line around the track to the fast line around the track.

But some video beforehand does help give me an idea before I turn a wheel on a fresh track. But really I didnt even do that when I went to watkins glen for the first time to race and I faired pretty well.

[f2000keith]

If it's a track I've never been to, I do the following:

1) Put as many PC, Playstation, etc sim laps in if the track is available

2) Call/email someone who runs well there in a similar car to get a turn by turn description of the track. Sometimes the fast line isn't the obvious one when looking at a track map.

3) Study a track map (paper, video, etc) and read up on it on places like Trackpedia

4) Do a test day if possible

[TailWagger]

I too do video. In fact I still do it for pretty much every track I go to even ones I've done 40+ days at. Even if I know the track, the video starts to focus me mentally. I watch more and more video in the days leading up to the event. At first I just try to find as much diverse video of the track as I can, from race video down to first time DEers. In the end I'll do an hour or more of watching and analyzing one to three of them. I like to have one of a car similar to mine, one of a full out race and a slow DE car with a good camera. I do this as I'm not as much trying to figure out the line as I'm looking for markers, any obvious camber, whether the curbing is drivable or not etc. And mostly, I'm trying to drill into my brain where its risky and where theres runoff etc, where I can comfortably push, where I should be cautious.

The most important thing I do, and I do this before every event not just for a new track, is that in the days leading up to the event, when lying in bed before I fall asleep, I spend a few minutes doing laps in my head. Trying to see the track feel the inputs etc. feel myself looking though the corners, squeezing the gas, down shifting. If its a new track, I dont try to imagine a hot, hot lap. I more imagine driving supremely smoothly, staying relaxed and quickly, but not full tilt. So far its worked for me.

Hope this helps.

[stinkycheezmonky]

Seeing that you drive an M Coupe, I'd imagine your line would be fairly similar to an E46 M3. There are videos with Traqmate overlay of a guy driving an M3 are SPR, and well. I'll try to dig it up for you, but it might be a little while. I'd look through the "In-Car Video" forum at Roadrace-autox.com.

Edit: Here ya go:
http://axisofoversteer.blogspot.com/...Summit%20Point

And the general directory of his stuff:
http://axisofoversteer.com/bm/library.php?i=1

[Lobo6]

Originally Posted by kbrew8991

but that works great for me but apparently not for you.. so...

I've learned (pun intended) over the years that I learn best at the track. Case in point several years ago TW, myself and another friend decided to do a weekend just before Thanksgiving at VIR. It was G&W Motorsports' (now Synergy) Fall Fling. I printed off the very good turn by turn descriptions, made notes in the margins, watched hours of video. When we got there a track walk would have helped immensely but that was a no go. Plus sunset was around 4pm.

The next morning I'm out there with every type of car imaginable, Porsche Cups, Ferrari Challenge racers, stock cars (as in NASCAR),2 Grand-Am DP cars, all manner of BMWs, Vipers, Corvettes, etc, etc. Many driven by pro or semi-pro racers. (had a great duel with David Murry that lasted 2.6 seconds ) My point is that all my prep went out the window and my job was to not bend my car or anyone else's. All I could remember was about where the track went and that's it. The second day was fun but the first was pure survival.

So here's my .02. Yes do the video watching, read and then reread the corner by corner guide. (WGI has a good one too). But try if possible to do a track walk if that's allowed. Also ask whoever is running the drivers meeting if you could get an instructor in your car to couch you for a session. Regardless of your run group. This obviously applies to HPDE events. Racers, even on unfamiliar tracks at least have 1-2 days of practice sessions before qualifying.

[heywb]

I normally try to to find as many videos of the track with similar cars so I can get a good feel for the track. Sometimes it works but when I went out to CMP it was completely different then the videos. I would also recommend that you walk the track if you get the chance its a great way to find reference points.