TABLE OF
CONTENTS
This Table of Contents was done for the old dead tree version of the
book and needs to be redone for the html version and future dead tree
versions. It needs all the new sections added. It also need hyperlinks
to the appropriate sections in the html.
1
Introduction
1.1 Goal of this book
1.2 Structure of this book
1.3 How to use this book
1.4 A request for your help
2 Basic
Principles
2.1 A note about the drawings
2.2 Traction, weight transfer and the circle of
friction
3 The Road
3.1 Line
3.1.1 The Apex
3.1.2 Maximum Constant Radius(MCR)
3.1.3 Late apex
3.1.4 Very Late apex
3.1.5 Early apex
3.2 Classes of turns
3.3 Types of turns
3.3.1 Constant radius
3.3.2 Increasing radius
3.3.3 Decreasing radius
3.3.4 On-camber
3.3.5 Off-camber
3.3.6 Sequential turns
4
Techniques
4.1 Smoothness
4.2 Braking
4.2.1 Threshold braking
4.2.2 Brake compounds
4.2.3 Brake fade
4.2.4 Braking and brake life
4.3 Shifting
4.3.1 Principles of gear choice
4.3.2 Matching revs
4.3.2.1 Heel-and-Toe down-shifting
4.3.2.2 Heel-and-Toe double-clutching
4.4 Beng consistent
4.5 Scrubbing off speed.
4.6 What to do when things go wrong
4.6.1 Getting back on line
4.6.2 Running out of road
4.6.3 Finding something in the road
4.6.4 Loss of traction
4.6.5 Spinning
4.6.6 If you have mechanical problems
4.6.6.1 If your car goes dead on the
course
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4.7 The difference between front and rear-wheel
drive.
4.7.1 Power understeer
4.8 Driving with an open or a locked
differential
4.8.1 Open differential and soft
suspension
4.8.2 Locked differential
4.9 Putting it all together
4.9.1 Setting up for the turn
4.9.2 Braking
4.9.3 Turn-down
4.9.4 Apex
4.9.5 Exit
4.10 Trail braking
5 The
Driver
5.1 Physical
5.1.1 Conserving your strength
5.1.2 Ergonomics
5.1.3 How to sit
5.1.4 How to hold the wheel
5.1.5 How to steer
5.1.6 Equipment
5.1.6.1 Seat belts
5.1.6.2 Seat
5.1.6.3 Helmet
5.1.6.4 Fog shield
5.1.6.5 Neck support
5.2 Mental
5.2.1 Driving fast vs. racing
5.2.2 Attitude
5.2.3 Psychology
5.2.4 Slow down to go faster
5.2.5 Brain fade
5.3 Practice exercises and demonstrations of
principles
5.3.1 Exercises
5.3.1.1 Excessive teering
5.3.1.2 How wide is your car?
5.3.1.3 Threshold braking
5.3.1.4 Heel-and-toe double-clutch
downshifting
5.3.2 How to walk (and learn) a track
5.3.3 Applying these skills on the street
5.3.4 After the school
5.3.5 Other places to practice
5.3.6 Practice sessions
5.3.6.1 If you are stuck behind a slower
driver
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5.4 Tips for doing better
5.4.1 Where to look
5.4.2 Rain
5.4.3 Surface conditions
5.4.4 Etiquette
5.4.5 Technique
5.4.6 Preparation
5.4.7 Practice and warm up
5.4.8 School
5.4.9 Common mistakes
5.4.10 Rules to live by
6 The
School
6.1 What you should learn
6.2 Flags and signals
6.3 Prepare the car before the school
6.4 What to bring
6.4.1 For people
6.4.2 For car
6.4.3 Who to bring
6.6 Checklists
6.6.1 Pre-event checklist
6.6.4 Spares box checklist
6.6.2 Pre-tech checklist
6.6.3 Pre-grid checklist
6.7 Notes for instructors
6.7.1 Lecture outlines
6.8 Grading
7 Course
and Turn Descriptions
7.1 Sears Point, turn-by-turn
7.2 Laguna Seca, turn-by-turn
7.3 Additional Reference Points
blanks.
Glossary