How not to corner at a trackday!

[shangani]

A quick example of how not to do things - pretty much ran out of talent on a right hander at just over 80 mph. Luckily Bedford is a safe venue for a hack like me. You wouldn't want to have a moment on a track like Goodwood with the armco nearby. Hence for those hesitating - join Lotus on track and come to Bedford.

This is my first attempt at video BTW. Sorry if it's cr*p. Thanks again to Hbaumhart in the passenger seat who seems quite undisturbed by these things.

http://media.putfile.com/bedford-220

[hbaumhardt]

Dude, we need to get rid of your rear view mirror as neither of us are prettey enough for the movies !

[shangani]

Tell me about it - I spend most of the time with my tongue hanging out - look more like Beavis or Butthead than a human! Note to self: get full face helmet (preferably with tinted visor) + remove mirror! Absolutely nasty if you ask me.

BTW thanks for pointing it out anyway!

>> Edited by shangani on Thursday 15th December 00:15

[Nick J]

Well held!

[bjc388]

Nicely done ... good job

[s works]

"Do you think that was too fast?"

Classic

[beachbum]

If that was bad, I'd hate to think what my attempts will be called. I doubt I would ever catch it that well. I'd be attaching blades to the front of the car and cutting the grass for them.

[bher]

Very interesting video. I would not feel bad with such a manoeuvre, you probably learn more with one like that than with 10 slower attempts.
You are on the good way (double sense)

>> Edited by bher on Thursday 15th December 08:56

[sethlj]

So what is the cause of this?

Was it turning-in slightly too early followed by a slight lift off the throttle - rear wheels 'braking' therfore back end trys to overtake the front?

It would be good to learn from those that know about these things.

S.

Have I been watching too much Walshy DVD?

[cheekymonkey]

well held that man

[shangani]

Actually I was just going too fast. No lift off - I started accelerating hard at the apex and the back carried on going. If I had lifted, I would definitely have spun. My line wasn't the greatest - turn-in about 5 yards too early. I also have a minor issue with aerodynamic balance that is making the back end a bit "floaty" - best term I can think of to describe it. Even after the twich I was going at over 80 mph.

[hbaumhardt]

Heres another hans 'n andrew 10 second special [url]http://media.putfile.com/Short-oversteer[/url] Can push 80 in the dry, this was 60 + puddle + power


>> Edited by hbaumhardt on Thursday 15th December 19:31

[shangani]

Nice one Hans. Twas a fun day..... When's the next one?

[hbaumhardt]

Ummm, looks like Saturday at Bedford again ... blagged my way onto the last RMA day I'll give you a shout.

[DanH]

sethlj said:

So what is the cause of this? Was it turning-in slightly too early followed by a slight lift off the throttle - rear wheels 'braking' therfore back end trys to overtake the front? It would be good to learn from those that know about these things. S. Have I been watching too much Walshy DVD?

Too fast in, understeer trying to find the apex and then probably a bit of a lift

[sethlj]

DanH said:

... probably a bit of a lift

Oooh controversial

S.

[4wheel drifter]

This is what track days are for!

Try a bit slower (I think a bit of a lift before turning in), turn in later, hit the apex and then feed the power in.

[DanH]

sethlj said:

DanH said: ... probably a bit of a lift Oooh controversial S.

Hadn't read his post before I wrote mine He may never have lifted, but given he was understeering towards the edge of the track it would be the natural reaction! Of course when you are turning, especially understeering like that, you get tyre scrub which decelerates you if you aren't using enough throttle (irresective of a lift) which then destabilises the back end whilst simultaneously hooking up the front end (deceleration = less understeer). Net result is you start rotating too quick, i.e. the extra amount you dialed in as the understeer is disappearing, combined with a loose back end. I did exactly the same at that corner a few trackdays ago

Nicely caught whatever!



>> Edited by DanH on Friday 16th December 12:49

[shangani]

Hi Dan - certainly no offense taken. I was pretty sure at the time that I didn't lift - but on reflection, obviously not impossible. I took a bad line into the corner carrying too much speed and looking at the clip, probably put power down a bit before the apex - that would have lightened the front end ?causing an intial degree of understeer (not that I really felt any loss of grip at the front at all) together with the speed that was a bit much for my skill / tyres etc.

Interestingly though, I have really found the back end a bit light over the past few weeks - 2 possible contributers are: Running the wrong dot code tyres at the back - haven't felt confident near the limit at all since then.

Secondly, the front splitter I added may be upsetting aerodynamic balace a bit in the high speed corners.

[DanH]

shangani said:

Hi Dan - certainly no offense taken. I was pretty sure at the time that I didn't lift - but on reflection, obviously not impossible. I took a bad line into the corner carrying too much speed and looking at the clip, probably put power down a bit before the apex - that would have lightened the front end ?causing an intial degree of understeer (not that I really felt any loss of grip at the front at all) together with the speed that was a bit much for my skill / tyres etc. Interestingly though, I have really found the back end a bit light over the past few weeks - 2 possible contributers are: Running the wrong dot code tyres at the back - haven't felt confident near the limit at all since then. Secondly, the front splitter I added may be upsetting aerodynamic balace a bit in the high speed corners.

Could be those things, or could just be too much speed into the corner and not enough throttle through the corner to balance the car properly. Thats the main thing I was doing wrong before I realised why I was so slow in the RS Back end was feeling light on me, and it was cured with more throttle! I'd not really taken into account the deceleration caused by turning so what I thought was a neutral throttle wasn't hence weight transfer to the front... Not saying this is the same for you of course.

My front splitter is still in the cabin. Can't say I've noticed