Driving Tips

[KA24DESOneThree]

Here I will be posting a tip per week. (Two tips today, though) Anyone else who would like to post their tips may do so as well.
*Note* Please keep responses tip-related. Make sure your tip is well-written and detailed enough to read. Try to have good grammar and spelling. Thank you.

Inaugural tip: Smoothness is the key to quickness. Be smooth in all your inputs: steering, brake, throttle, and clutch. If one is smooth, the car's balance is hardly disrupted and it will not do anything untoward. Shifts should be made "gently and with finesse." (Ross Bentley, Speed Secrets) The smoother one drives, the easier it is to stay within (or, in the case of drifting, above) the traction limits of a tire. Your transition from braking to acceleration should be done with perfect smoothness. This will give you an edge in cornering speed and will allow you to make full use of the tires.

Smoothness is a technique which can be practiced on the street both easily and safely. You need not put other drivers at risk practicing your smoothness, as it can be done at legal speeds and well within the limits of your car.

Second inaugural tip: Program yourself the right way. Practice being aware. Drive smoothly and try to apex every turn correctly. Please note that apexing a turn correctly does not require you to be going the speed of sound around the corner. Try to get over bad habits, they will just slow you down. (Example: Right now, I am trying to get over a habit of mine where I leave one hand on the shifter every once in a while. I have my passenger alert me to when I do it, and I try to realize when I do it and move that hand from the shifter to the steering wheel. Two hands are better than one at controlling a vehicle.)

Becoming a better street driver will lead to being a better track driver. Try to realize your errors and learn from them. A race driver may make a mistake, but he learns from it.

Try to incorporate these tips into your daily driving. If, or when, you get on the track, you'll notice the difference they make.