freaknbigpanda

Hey guys so I am going to be tracking my car for the first time this coming sunday at toronto motorsports park. I've never raced before so I've been reading about racing line and all that jazz trying to figure out the best way to approach the course.

Here is a diagram of the course layout:

imgur: the simple image sharer

Here is an edited diagram with red dots for the apex's I'm going to try to hit for each of the corners

imgur: the simple image sharer

I'm thinking that for 'the kink' I am just going to drive right through instead of navigate it 'properly', might put me in a bit of weird position for turn 8 but I think it will be OK. Do you guys have any suggestions there?

How should I approach turns 10 11 and 12? should I just be treat 11 and 12 as one big turn with an apex somewhere in-between or what?

Also if you have any general TMP/Racing tips for a newb I would love to hear them.

Thanks!

thewird

iTrader: (8)

For the first time out completely forget about that stuff. Just have fun, enjoy yourself, and practice track etiquette. The lines come naturally later.

thewird

DT racer

TMP was my first track back in 2006. Great to learn on and once you can figure it out - a good rhythm.

Use marks - Brake, turn, Apex, Corner exit. Start with an earlier brake point and later exit then adjust from there. A race track is a series of corners connected by straight lines. Drive each corner on its own, run the next straight, then use the same B,T,A,E for the next corner.

Smooth is faster...and braking earlier allows the car time to settle, then you release the brakes and smoothly turn in - all the while looking through your next mark and AHEAD - not at whats just in front of the car. Turning your head and Looking ahead and thinking ahead - about where you need the car to be 1 or 2 seconds from now is the key. . Where ever you look is where you go - so look where you want/need to go.

Turns 1, 3 and 6 are the ones you slow more than you think you have to for. The track map with apexs looks pretty good but the 3 dots between 3 and 4 should be in the middle of the track - if your going where the dots are you pinched corner 3 off too much. Then a light tap on the brake to rotate into 4 - you want to be almost on the curb on the left, then tap brakes or lift a bit, rotate to the right for 5 - its almost a snap left then snap right then up the short straight to 6.

Through the kink you go over the curb on your left - but stay off of the one further up on the right - the ground shifted last winter and its not smooth now. It will upset the car.

Doing 11 and 12 as one sweeper works well. Stay near the inside corner on 12 - almost over or on the curbing (its flat) - as soon as you get 1 or 2 feet out from it its rough track there. You will be bouncing. Also because of the wall nearby be careful through 12. The point is to have fun, excitement, then....drive the car home in one piece.

If your gonna go off - accept it, straighten out the steering and go off straight not sideways. Cars can catch the grass and roll. Going off backwards straight is fine as well.

Make sure you slow down enough after the kink to turn left into 8. The curb between 8 and 9 can be rough to go over. Also there is a wall on the infield on the other side of the track infield from where the 10 is on the map. I have seen people hit it. The car looses.

Smooth inputs, brake early (and firm) then off the brake and start your turn in - smoothly - giving the tires and suspension time to change direction of the car. If your throwing the car into the corners your loosing time. If you don't brake enough but turn the wheel and use the tires to scrub the car down to the actual corner entry speed - your wearing your tires and loosing time.

Very good site for HP driving is "www.turnfast.com" Great theory and explanations. For great one on one instruction, lapping, fun and competition - come out to 'Ontario Time Attack' next year. I am an instructor there. We have an awesome 2 day school in the spring at the Driver Development Track right beside the Grand Prix Track at Mosport. Great group, lots of support and fun.

Have a blast!

freaknbigpanda

Thanks for the tips! Very helpful! And I will definitely check out that 2 day course next year.

One more question, is heel toe shifting a requirement if you want to go fast? I still haven't figured out how to do that properly.

freaknbigpanda

So I went out to the track today. Spun out 3 times in my first three laps, pretty scary but I got the hang of it quick. Tons of fun.

sctRota

iTrader: (2)

This ^^^

Stay within your limit, if you feel nervous about something especially on that front straight slow down just a bit haha. I spun once on my first lap at TMP as well Also, take note on how other rwd cars (Or whatever setup you have) approach and leave a turn. Do not overwork the tires, and always try to make friends with others around the track. You will find it a lot easier and enjoyable if you do so but then again, that just my 2 cents

On the side note, is there anymore track days for this year? Touge is done I think but I think next Sunday will be better weather

23Racer

I hope there will be one more day. I was going to go out yesterday, but with air temps in the lower single digits and pavement temps the same, there was no way I was going to get any grip, so stayed home. I just need one more 10+ sunny day and I will be good to go. These R comps and race tires, need track temp to make any grip. If cold, street tires work better.

Eric

sctRota

iTrader: (2)

I had Yokohoma RS's on my FD, and I felt that it would not grab and traction especially how we have damp weather the same night. I'm hoping next week as some time as I would love to at least get one more practice day before I leave to Guyana just so I can compare the hot and cold tire sensitivity as I decided to run the exact tire setup on the FC this year

HiWire

Likewise (Pirelli P Zero Rossos). I was going to take my buddy to his first track day, but the cold temps and dodgy precipitation forecast forced me to cancel. It would be nice to get one more session before the year ends.

freaknbigpanda

it was cold but the track was totally dry, I was worried about the rain as well.