Recomend me a book on racing lines etc

[Norfolkandchance]

Hi,

I compete on circuits (sprints) at a grassroots level and recently discovered that the line I was taking through a particular type of corner could be better. Once I'd worked it out I researched it on the internet and it was interesting, including explaining why my line wasn't the best. (My line wasn't stupid, by the way, but there was a better one that might be counterintuitive at first). I would like diagrams and stuff in a general way to help me understand the physics, rather than circuit-specific guides.

Thanks

[Jon39]

Do you remember F1 Brazil, think last year or year before ? Very wet.

Drivers were following the normal textbook lines, but Max Verstappen used I think, karting lines. He drove around the outside of numerous top drivers. Wonderful to watch, although probably mystifying for the drivers being overtaken.

[Trev450]

You would be much better off having some tuition at the track(s) in question. Clearly not as cheap as buying a book, but far more effective.

[Jacobyte]

This is very good when at a circuit for the first time: (I have the old version of it, called the Autosport Guide)

http://www.circuitguides.com

It analyses each corner very well, highlighting different lines for surface changes, options in the wet, etc.

A more theoretical approach is "Drive to Win" by Carroll Smith (in fact, all his books are very good).

Edited by Jacobyte on Friday 10th November 15:03

[Steve H]

Trev450 said:

You would be much better off having some tuition at the track(s) in question. Clearly not as cheap as buying a book, but far more effective.

^^^^^ This. Getting an experienced coach in with you will spot faults you hadn't even thought of yet and should help to prioritise the things you need to address.


For "home study" I'd recommend the Driver 61 videos, there's too much information there really and it may be hard to pick out the parts that can use one at a time but it does explain a lot of stuff very well https://driver61.com/uni/

There's a few books out there including THIS ONE which is a good place to start.

[Matt W]

Going Faster: Mastering the Art of Race Driving by Carl Lopez is pretty good and covers all the lines and much much more. It is American and getting a bit old now but it is all relevant. There is a video on Youtube covering much of the same material that is made by the same people - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQRmYMlmdqM

[BertBert]

It makes no sense at all that the other drivers were unaware of using 'karting lines'. I can't imagine anyone who races not knowing about where the wet lines might be, let alone the best racers in the world. Very odd.

Jon39 said:

Drivers were following the normal textbook lines, but Max Verstappen used I think, karting lines. He drove around the outside of numerous top drivers. Wonderful to watch, although probably mystifying for the drivers being overtaken.

[Galveston]

The Technique Of Motor Racing by Piero Taruffi is great.

It's old, but based on maths and physics and definitely helped my understanding of racing lines.

Personally I prefer to learn the theory that can be applied anywhere, than be taught a line around a particular circuit. But I'm st at being told what to do, I'd much rather work it out for myself.

[samnorthy]

This is a great read, not only racing lines but for all aspect of track driving.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ultimate-Speed-Secrets-Ra...

[Norfolkandchance]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I have already put tuition on my list of pressies but the two circuits I use the most - Lotus Hethel and Snetterton 100 - intital research suggests its quite hard to arrange. Lotus will sell you an "experience" and Club Lotus will train you if you have a Lotus, which I don't. Snetterton, I think is only the full 300, so I'm less interested in 2 thirds of it. And, as with some of the others above, I am interested in the physics and want a book I can dip into while "watching" Strictly over the winter. My plan is I can then get the tutor to refine it rather than waste time on the basics.

I'll enjoy following-up these leads, thanks to all.

[CharlesElliott]

As mentioned, the Speed Secrets series is good.

[carl_w]

FYI the circuit guides book only covers the Snetterton 300 layout so doesn't cover the hairpin after Oggies and the advice about the exit Oggies may be wrong as it's written as if you're setting up for the right hander (Williams) onto the 300 circuit.

It also doesn't cover Hethel at all, apart from noting the location and contact details.

[Norfolkandchance]

Thanks Carl

[Mr Overheads]

David Hornsey's book is very good:
http://amzn.eu/6bSUz4G

He was my coach in my first year of racing, was just coincidence i had bought his book too before he even started coaching me.

[chunder27]

In all honesty I would buy a half decent PC and buy a wheel and pedals, you can practice at your hearts content then!

[cookracing]

carl_w said:

FYI the circuit guides book only covers the Snetterton 300 layout so doesn't cover the hairpin after Oggies and the advice about the exit Oggies may be wrong as it's written as if you're setting up for the right hander (Williams) onto the 300 circuit.

It also doesn't cover Hethel at all, apart from noting the location and contact details.

Just a suggestion, is your circuit guides book out of date?

http://cookracing.co.uk/index.php/2-uncategorised/...

As it happens I'd recommend this book in addition to seat time, saves your money before you get there learning about lines. Recommended by everyone I've met who has one (no, I'm not on commission!)

[miloudiben]

Going Faster by Skip Barber served me well for understanding the physics.

There's no substitute for studying youtube footage and making note of reference points as many corners have very subtle undulations that you can't see from a book or video. I always walk the track before every race as well. Driver61.com is another great resource for general driving techniques.

Cheers,

Ben