Getting ready to race at a track for the first time? It can be a daunting experience. Here are some tips on how to learn a race track.
Network
Reach out to people in your network to learn about the track: gear ratios, where to paddock, hotels and restaurants (if you don’t have an RV), hookups (if you have an RV), things like that. Find out who else will be there. Friends are good to have around!
It is not a bad idea to e-mail the race chairman, registrar, and chief of tech. Let them know you are entered and looking forward to racing at the track for the first time. If there are any problems at registration or tech, they will already know you and your newbie status.
Pre-Visualize the Track
Back in the day, I used to memorize the track map that came with the paper race entry form. Here’s an example: my annotated Mid-Ohio course map from 2004.
Today, there are hours of in-car videos up on YouTube. Watch enough of them so that you can visualize the track. Organize your thoughts (and questions!) by writing notes on a hard copy track map. If your pre-visualization includes what gear to be in, all the better.
Set Up Your Car
As you learn a race track, you will want to have a stable and predictable car. Choose an easy-to-drive set up: bar settings for a little push, shock settings that absorb bumps, etc. A knife edge car will be a big distraction the first day at a new track. Tuning for speed will come later in the weekend.
Walk the Track
There is nothing more old school than a track walk…and very little time is more productive. So productive, in fact, that Formula 1 teams still do them!
A track walk allows close observation of all the landmarks that you will be looking for: the starter stand, brake markers, curbs, turn ins, apexes, track outs, elevation changes, pavement changes, pit in, etc. And every track has a turn where you don’t want to go off…better to find this guard rail on foot!
If there isn’t time to walk the entire track, try to at least get down to the first turn. It will help you visualize race starts. Track width on the exit of the first turn often dictates how quickly everyone must fall into line. A brake marker on the inside of the track will keep you out of trouble.
Find Landmarks
During the first few laps on track, find and confirm the landmarks (brake markers, apexes, etc) from your pre-visualization and track walk. Drive quickly but leave a little in reserve so that you can soak in all the little details…they are needed to go fast.
Also put some thought into where it is safe to pass and where it might not be such a good idea. High speed turns, one-line turns, and any turn where mistakes are punished are risky places to attempt a pass.
Connect the Dots
After two or maybe three sessions, you should be able to piece together an entire lap including all brake markers, apexes, and shift points. Update your annotated track map with what you have learned. Now you are ready to start looking for time.
Build Speed
In general, a late turn-in that squares off corner entry with a late apex is the fast way around a race track. However, the fast way is not the best way to learn a race track. Turn in a little too late or a little too hot and a quick spin will follow.
As I learn a race track, I brake and turn slightly early and then hold a long apex by manipulating the throttle. Maybe not quite as fast but with much less chance of a spin.
The key to making this method work is steering with the throttle. Everyone (or at least everyone who is going fast) picks up the throttle before the apex to maintain speed. If the car is not holding a long apex, a tiny bit less maintenance throttle (not more steering angle!) will tighten up the line and position the car for corner exit without losing much speed.
By now, your marks are flowing at you with no surprises. Build speed by braking and steering a little later and picking up the throttle a little earlier. All you need is a tach to tell if you are going faster…the earlier you shift up to the next gear, the faster you exited the corner. It is often difficult to read a tach when busy so I use different color tape to provide a quick visual reference.
Faster cars will come up behind you while you are learning a new track. Point them by at the first opportunity. Then watch what they are doing…they will teach you the tricks!
After each session, update your visualization and your track notes. Capture all that you are learning.
Optimize Your Car
As you build speed and increase consistency, you will start to notice that the car is not doing exactly what you want it to. Now is the time to fine tune the chassis.
Since the initial settings were on the soft side, its likely that tightening up the bars and shocks will improve lap times. Likely, but not always. If the track is rougher than expected, a still softer car may be better. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
Pre-Visualize the Start
By now you have qualified and know where you are starting the race. From your inside or outside starting position, imagine the green flag, the rush into the first turn, and where best to position the car as the field strings out. The start will never work out just this way but I like to adjust off a plan rather than simply winging it.
Have Fun!
If you have done all of this, you are totally prepared for your first race at a new race track. In 2023, I raced at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (known to all as Mosport) in my Lola T-540 Formula Ford for the first time. Click HERE for a lap on Sunday morning. If you look closely, I am still taking a slightly conservative line into the fast, downhill Turn 1 and (especially!) Turn 2. Better to slowly find the limit in turns like these!
Update Your Notes
In the first few days after the race, update your track notes with what you learned during the weekend. These notes will accelerate your learning curve the next time you race at this track.
I have joined the digital age and now organize my track notes in Excel. Old dogs can learn new tricks.
What to Remember
Visualization comes before speed. Arrive with an easy to drive car. When you are anticipating your marks, not reacting to them, you are ready to go faster. Accelerate the visualization process with videos and track walks. Be patient and take good notes.
If you found these tips on how to learn a race track useful, here are links to more racing content:
Driving a Race Car as a Senior Citizen