How to improve balance during cornering, need some advice
Discussion
Really looking for some advice into smoother more balanced cornering car i drive is a mk1 mx5, do quite a few spirited runs but i feel like my cornering needs work in terms of keeping good balance.
I dont brake in corners thats a big no but i feel like im either on no throttle or very little throttle. So heres my run down currently brake straight revmatch down if needed slight throttle sometimes im fine and im on quite a bit others not so maybe entering a little faster than i should be?
If its multiple corners i tend to lose my rhythm one other issue i have this weird thing about the car trying to oversteer if im on power in the corners ironically going through with no throttle lift off is more likely to happen.
It could also be that the seats really dont hold me the best at all im small and in heavy cornering,acceleration or setting up i do have hold my self in the car has mk2 seats and they dont seem to hold me well at all so that maybe where my lack of confidence is coming from.
All of this wildy apparent going on an outing to cat and fiddle on sunday evening with a few mates esp the feeling of ending up in the passenger seat 🤣🤣.
Im just looking for ways to improve my driving but also be safe on the road thought this was the best place to post it. Pretty sure most on here could push the car harder than me and still be safe on the road i feel like ive hit a roadblock to improvement.
In the long term, HPC Is excellent for training smoothness and cornering.
On a quicker note, give this a watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJgll4p9QJc - That'll give you something to practice when you're next out
If you feel like you're entering too fast, you probably are - Start with smooth and "comfortable" feeling, or you'll just be hurrying yourself through and "over-driving"
With regards to the seats, there are some things you can do -
Firstly, double check your seating position - https://www.skoda-motorsport.com/en/drive-like-pro... This is an excellent diagram, and how I sit.
The key is to have your shoulders touching the seat whilst your wrists are on top of the wheel - If they lose contact, you lose the effect of any bolstering in the seatback.
You can try pulling the belt tight once you're in, making sure it's fully seated in your hips.
On a quicker note, give this a watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJgll4p9QJc - That'll give you something to practice when you're next out
If you feel like you're entering too fast, you probably are - Start with smooth and "comfortable" feeling, or you'll just be hurrying yourself through and "over-driving"
With regards to the seats, there are some things you can do -
Firstly, double check your seating position - https://www.skoda-motorsport.com/en/drive-like-pro... This is an excellent diagram, and how I sit.
The key is to have your shoulders touching the seat whilst your wrists are on top of the wheel - If they lose contact, you lose the effect of any bolstering in the seatback.
You can try pulling the belt tight once you're in, making sure it's fully seated in your hips.
Haltamer said:
In the long term, HPC Is excellent for training smoothness and cornering.
On a quicker note, give this a watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJgll4p9QJc - That'll give you something to practice when you're next out
If you feel like you're entering too fast, you probably are - Start with smooth and "comfortable" feeling, or you'll just be hurrying yourself through and "over-driving"
With regards to the seats, there are some things you can do -
Firstly, double check your seating position - https://www.skoda-motorsport.com/en/drive-like-pro... This is an excellent diagram, and how I sit.
The key is to have your shoulders touching the seat whilst your wrists are on top of the wheel - If they lose contact, you lose the effect of any bolstering in the seatback.
You can try pulling the belt tight once you're in, making sure it's fully seated in your hips.
Thank you, I'll check it all out yeah i think i am entering a little too quick at times hence not getting on power. I've always just been hyper aware of what could be around the bend which is good to have obviously. So I'm guessing after turn in it's more trail throttle up to apex when exit is clear progressively get on throttle to probably full in an mx5?On a quicker note, give this a watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJgll4p9QJc - That'll give you something to practice when you're next out
If you feel like you're entering too fast, you probably are - Start with smooth and "comfortable" feeling, or you'll just be hurrying yourself through and "over-driving"
With regards to the seats, there are some things you can do -
Firstly, double check your seating position - https://www.skoda-motorsport.com/en/drive-like-pro... This is an excellent diagram, and how I sit.
The key is to have your shoulders touching the seat whilst your wrists are on top of the wheel - If they lose contact, you lose the effect of any bolstering in the seatback.
You can try pulling the belt tight once you're in, making sure it's fully seated in your hips.
In terms of seats they really are terrible I'm small anyway but i think mine has mk2 seats and it basically feels like you're sitting on top of a big cushion rather than being in the seat it self never been in seats so bad lol. Think a fomectomy might be in order this weekend to see if i can sit in the seat rather than on it, that article from skoda looks great though so I'll be looking into that.
Not sure about the ‘your elbows should form an angle of approximately 45 degrees when you hold the wheel in the proper position of “quarter to three”.’ and the accompanying picture.
I also think they mean ‘wrist’ rather than ‘forearm’ on top of wheel. The forearm could be anywhere between elbow and wrist.
Someone needs a geometry lesson.
I also think they mean ‘wrist’ rather than ‘forearm’ on top of wheel. The forearm could be anywhere between elbow and wrist.
Someone needs a geometry lesson.
Pica-Pica said:
Not sure about the ‘your elbows should form an angle of approximately 45 degrees when you hold the wheel in the proper position of “quarter to three”.’ and the accompanying picture.
I also think they mean ‘wrist’ rather than ‘forearm’ on top of wheel. The forearm could be anywhere between elbow and wrist.
Someone needs a geometry lesson.
In the diagram the base of the seat is tilted up at the front. In many cars (most?) that is not possible. The only cars I have owned that allowed that were a 2003 Audi A4 Sport & 3 Nissan Primeras. That adjustment certainly improved comfort as did the A4's seat base that allowed the front to be pulled out to add length under the thighs behind the knees.I also think they mean ‘wrist’ rather than ‘forearm’ on top of wheel. The forearm could be anywhere between elbow and wrist.
Someone needs a geometry lesson.
I certainly don't have my elbow joint at 45 - that would require me to sit very close to the wheel & pedals with very bent knees (or raise the seat so my head was brushing the roof).
Try this one. It’s a few years old now, but covers the basics.
https://youtu.be/NGJLNKQxZ98
Not sure about the fat bloke at the start though…
https://youtu.be/NGJLNKQxZ98
Not sure about the fat bloke at the start though…
some good advice above, some additional thoughts…
one of the most common mistakes is that people spend their time focusing on how to up their speed… instead, focus on balance, smoothness, flow (you will need to dramatically reduce speed)… once you have started to master that, speed will come from that increased smoothness…
regarding a corner - you need to have slowed more than you expect and earlier than you expect. finish braking before the corner so that as you enter the corner the car is balanced and you can then start to add power into the corner, using the accelerator to modulate how much power based on the corner as it opens up…
one of the most common mistakes is that people spend their time focusing on how to up their speed… instead, focus on balance, smoothness, flow (you will need to dramatically reduce speed)… once you have started to master that, speed will come from that increased smoothness…
regarding a corner - you need to have slowed more than you expect and earlier than you expect. finish braking before the corner so that as you enter the corner the car is balanced and you can then start to add power into the corner, using the accelerator to modulate how much power based on the corner as it opens up…
Reg Local said:
Try this one. It’s a few years old now, but covers the basics.
https://youtu.be/NGJLNKQxZ98
Not sure about the fat bloke at the start though…
Aha cheers reg i need to re watch your videos again, i love your stuff https://youtu.be/NGJLNKQxZ98
Not sure about the fat bloke at the start though…
lockey1995 said:
_Hoppers said:
Are you using limit point analysis so set your speed for the corners?
Yes i try to for the most part think i need allot more practice with it.Reg Local said:
Drop me a line if you’d like a few hours coaching.
I think this is the key - it's easy to understand the theory from watching videos and reading books, but if you want to actually improve, I think you need to spend some wheel time with a coach who can give you instant feedback and maybe even demonstrate techniques.Chris
Late to the party, as usual, and slightly off-topic, but I second the value of driver coaching - and of Reg's tuition. Learned a lot, regained the confidence I'd lost after a crash (and gained confidence I'd never had previously), and had great fun too. It really helped me make the most of a car that until that point I'd considered to be rather dull, but being able to drive it quickly, effectively and safely made it so much more enjoyable.
Have a look on the IAM website and 'apply' for a free taster drive.
You'll be 'paired up' with a qualified Observer for a (roughly) one hour drive and, at the end, presented with a runsheet which details all aspects of your driving.
From there, if you wish, you can sign up for the full IAM course to gain an Advanced Driver qualification...
It's well worth it!!
Drive safely
Tivver 500 (IAM National Observer)
You'll be 'paired up' with a qualified Observer for a (roughly) one hour drive and, at the end, presented with a runsheet which details all aspects of your driving.
From there, if you wish, you can sign up for the full IAM course to gain an Advanced Driver qualification...
It's well worth it!!
Drive safely
Tivver 500 (IAM National Observer)
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