MotorSports North East

Student Introduction to Driving on a Road Racing Course

Welcome to what should be a fun and learning experience in improving your driving skills. Don’t be overwhelmed with all the new sites and sounds of cars and people getting ready for a day of high speed driving, you will fit in sooner than you think. Feel free to ask any of the NASA-NE staff if you’re not clear on what and where you should be during the course of the day’s activities.

The Basics - Preparing for your First Drive on a Road Race Course

  • Registration should be complete; your car should have passed our tech inspection and a car number assigned.
  • You have an approved helmet.
  • Any and all loose items should have been removed from the cars interior and nothing is hanging from your rear view mirror.
  • Tire pressure has been checked and all wheel lug nuts tightened. Generally add 5 lbs. of pressure to the standard recommended pressure. Pressure should be checked after each session and adjusted (ask one of the NASA-NE staff for further suggestions)

Driving Position

  • The correct driving position allows you to have the maximum control of your car.
  • Your forward vision should not be obstructed by anything.
  • With your helmet on, adjust your seat so that you can see as far in front of the car as possible
  • Make sure your shoulders are making contact with the back of the seat and that your butt is at the crack of the seat
  • Your arms should be extended so that your elbows are flexible and not locked or stiff allowing smooth and exact movement of the steering wheel
  • Your legs should also be flexible and not locked or stiff allowing easy transition from brake to accelerator and clutch operation
  • If your seat bottom has a front tilt adjustment you should dial in a little thigh support by having the seat coming contact with the back of the thighs which reduces leg fatigue.
  • Hand position on the steering wheel should be at 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock and stay there all the time while driving except when shifting.
  • Seat belts should be adjusted as tight as possible holding you firmly to your seat
  • If your car is equipped with OEM belts you can get them tighter by reclining the seat, fastening the belt, then reposition the seat back to the original position, which will add pressure against your chest.
  • Adjust both side view and rear view mirrors to allow you as much clear rear vision as possible (you always want to know who is behind you).

Entering and Exiting the Track

  • When your run group is called to the staging area, (better known as the “false grid”) be there 5 minutes before the session is to start
  • Helmet on and buckled in
  • Driver’s side window must be down at all times in order to facilitate hand signals
  • A NASA-NE staff member will give you the signal when to enter the track.
  • When the checker flag is displayed at the start/finsh line, your session is over
  • Complete the lap you are on and as you approach the pit entrance
  • Put your left arm out of your window with a closed fist. This is the signal to the drivers behind you that you are entering the pits.

Track Terminology

  • Point by - when a faster car is approaching, be aware by continually checking your mirrors. Maintain your position and use your left hand to point where you want the oncoming driver to pass, i.e. left or right side of your vehicle. This is called a point by.
  • Passing Zone - A straight line of track designated at the driver’s meeting. This varies from track to track
  • Line- Refers to the transition from straight track into and out of corners. This varies from corner to corner and may also vary depending upon track condition and weather. The correct line also varies with the type of vehicle being driven
  • Apex - The area on the inside of a turn at which you finish the entry and begin the exit
  • Turn In - The point at the entrance to a turn at which the driver first turns the steering wheel
  • Track out or Exit - The point past the apex usually on the far outside edge of the track surface at which the turn is completed
  • Both Feet In - Applying brake and clutch at the same time should the car spin

Major Do’s and Don’ts

  • DO listen for your run group being called to staging area
  • DO obey Pit Out directions
  • DO be aware of your mirrors and any car overtaking you
  • DON’T pass a vehicle without being given a point by
  • DO be aware of where flagging stations are on track
  • DO observe flags during sessions
  • DO pass in designated areas, not in corners
  • DON’T attempt to re-enter track surface at speed from grass or dirt
  • DON’T re-enter track if all four wheels go off without OK from corner worker
  • DO observe and acknowledge Checkered flag for end of session

MotorSports NE (MSNE)

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