Mastering Fast Cornering: Braking Techniques and Racing Lines
Driving quickly through a corner is about finding the balance between speed, control, and optimal use of traction. It’s essential to understand how weight distribution affects the car’s handling, particularly when braking and steering simultaneously. Many drivers make the mistake of braking only when the car is going straight, lifting off the brake before turning in, which can actually lead to understeer. Here, we’ll discuss why that happens, how to correct it, and the techniques to master cornering at high speeds.
Understanding Weight Transfer and Understeer
When you brake in a straight line, the car’s weight shifts forward, compressing the front suspension and loading the front tires with added grip. If you release the brakes completely before turning into a corner, this forward weight shift disappears, shifting the weight back to the rear of the car. This makes the front end go “light” and can reduce the grip of the front tires, resulting in understeer—the car’s tendency to continue straight instead of following the curve.
To avoid this, you can use a technique called trail braking, where you continue to brake as you turn into the corner. Trail braking maintains some of the weight on the front tires, which helps them stay planted and gives the car better grip as it enters the corner. Let’s dive into the correct technique and how to apply it.
The Racing Line: Entry, Apex, and Exit
The racing line is the ideal path through a corner, minimizing distance and maximizing speed. For most corners, the racing line involves three main points: entry, apex, and exit.
- Entry: This is where you’ll begin braking and setting up for the corner. Start wide at the outer edge of the track or road to maximize your angle.
- Apex: The apex is the middle of the corner and the point closest to the inside edge. Aim to “clip” this point with your car’s front wheel while carrying speed.
- Exit: After the apex, accelerate smoothly as you move toward the outer edge of the track on the corner’s exit, straightening the car for maximum traction as you accelerate out.
Braking into a Corner: The Technique of Trail Braking
- Initial Braking (Straight Line): As you approach the corner, brake in a straight line to reduce speed. This phase should be firm, but not so intense that it destabilizes the car.
- Transition to Turn-In (Trail Braking): Begin to turn into the corner while gradually easing off the brake pedal. By doing this, you maintain some of the weight on the front tires, giving them the grip they need to handle the cornering forces. It’s crucial to modulate the brake pressure—too much and you may cause the front to lock up; too little and the car could understeer.
- Hitting the Apex: By the time you reach the apex, you should have mostly released the brakes and be ready to accelerate. Aiming to “brush” the apex allows you to start straightening the wheel, setting up for a quick exit.
- Corner Exit and Acceleration: As you pass the apex and unwind the steering, gradually apply throttle. This transfers weight to the rear tires, maximizing traction and stability for the exit.
Tips for Effective Trail Braking
- Practice Smooth Transitions: Sudden changes in braking or steering can unsettle the car. Aim for a smooth, progressive release of the brake as you turn in.
- Feel the Car’s Balance: Trail braking relies heavily on driver feel. With practice, you’ll sense how much brake pressure to keep to maintain optimal front-end grip.
- Adjust for Corner Types: Tight corners may require more trail braking and a later apex, while faster corners may need a more subtle approach.
Conclusion
Braking only in a straight line and lifting off before turning can indeed destabilize the car, leading to understeer. By using trail braking and understanding the racing line, you can control the car’s weight transfer and improve cornering speed. Remember, mastering this technique requires practice and precision.
