Boston Chapter HPDE First-timer’s Guide

New to the track? Welcome! We wrote this guide just for you.

At your first High-Performance Driver’s Education event, you’ll learn skills that you can use in your everyday
driving. You’re probably excited and somewhat anxious. As you study this guide, remember that everyone at the
track was new once and probably felt just as you do now. Remember, this is not a racing school. Your instructor will help you learn at a comfortable and enjoyable pace.

While the Boston Chapter takes these driving events very seriously, particularly with regard to safety and
education, we are also a friendly, outgoing bunch of folks who genuinely want you to have a fantastic time.
It’s completely natural to have a number of concerns. Boston Chapter events have a reputation for safety and
professionalism. Your first track experience will likely be relatively easy on the wear-and-tear to your car. Your
everyday car probably will suffer only a bit of brake pad and tire wear, plus a few rubber marks, which can easily be removed. The real problem might be getting hooked and finding a lifelong activity and friendships.

Worried about embarrassing yourself? Don’t be. This is a learning experience, not a competition. Most of us look back with fondness on their first day. There will be other new drivers at the track, too. This guide and your personal mentor will make your inaugural day easy and unintimidating.

You’ll be driving quickly, but few drivers find the speeds on the straights too intimidating. The track is simply not long enough to test your car’s top speed. You’ll find the challenge – and fun – lies in the turns.

You do have some work to do in preparation for your big day. Your car will need some attention and care. You’ll need to buy or borrow some things. And you’ll need to study – a lot. Let the journey begin!

REQUIREMENTS – WHAT YOU’LL NEED

The Boston Chapter Procedures and Rules document cover these rules and procedures, including many of the requirements for attending a driving school. You may also find some event-specific requirements in the event’s
Day of Event document. This section focuses on requirements that are common to all driving schools – things
that a first-timer wouldn’t otherwise know.

The car you bring to the track must be in solid working condition, maintained and inspected by a competent mechanic. Your inspection should cost about $100, plus any repairs. Your car need not be a BMW – about half of the cars will be other marques. Most any modern hardtop car will do, from a Toyota Tercel to an M5. High center-of-gravity vehicles are excluded, such as trucks, pick-ups, vans, mini-vans, and most SUVs.

You can share one car with another driver. Ideally the other driver will have some experience as logistically only one person can be placed in the novice run group. Designate your co-driver on your pre-registration entry form so that the registrar can make appropriate assignments.

Convertible, Removable Roof Panel Vehicles, and cars with aftermarket seats and/or racing harnesses are subject to special rules and restrictions. Read the Pre-Event Tech Inspection Form carefully.

You must own, borrow, or rent (if available) an approved helmet. See Procedures and Rules document.

Insurance. Your automobile policy may not cover you on the track. See the Procedures and Rules document.

BACKGROUND – WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT

You’ll be driving your car at speed on a race track, learning to better control your car and understand how it
reacts to your hands and feet. This will help prepare you for emergencies, both on the track and on the street.
While you will explore both you and your car’s capabilities, you won’t be pushed or encouraged to go any faster
than is comfortable for you.

You are not attending a racing school; racing is strictly forbidden. Until you have much more experience, you will have a trained instructor with you in
your car whenever you are on the track.

If you have concerns about the eligibility of your vehicle, contact the registrar or event chair well before the
event. We don’t want to send you home from the event because your car isn’t safe or approved. It is unlikely that
there will be time at the event to perform any corrections or repairs, at least not without you losing out on some
of the fun. There are no refunds for failure to perform a proper Pre-Event Safety Inspection or for mechanical
failure at the track.

Beyond the inspection, you should also clean out your car, removing anything that isn’t either needed at the
track or bolted down.

Your helmet must be Snell rated, either M (motorcycle) or SA (car), or SFI 31.1 rated. It may be an open face or a full face. The Procedures and Rules document contains the current required date rating, usually within 9 or 10 years of the current date. Since this is your first event, consider borrowing an approved helmet from a friend, so long as it fits you well.

If you are pretty sure that you are going to enjoy HPDEs and continue driving at the track, go ahead and buy a
helmet. Consult the Boston Chapter website www.boston-bmwcca.org and Bimmer magazine for vendors, and
mention your membership for a possible discount. Fit is very important. Ideally, you should go to a motorsports
store and try on several helmets with the help of a qualified salesperson, rather than purchasing mail order.

Generally, lighter helmets are a bit safer (because there is less mass attached to your head), but are more
expensive. SA helmets are rated for fire and multiple impacts. The fire rating is probably not too important to
you unless you also plan to eventually wear a fire-resistant suit. While the Boston Chapter also accepts M
(Motorcycle) rated helmets, some other clubs do not. Most drivers prefer a full-face helmet.

If your car has an airbag:

• Remove any sun visor over the helmet eyeport, and if the clear face shield fogs up, remove it completely, rather than wear it raised partially.
• If you wear glasses, consider a helmet with a larger eyeport for comfort. Expect to pay $100+ for an M-rated
  helmet or $200+ for an SA-rated helmet.

Preparing you. Try to attend the annual HPDE preparatory classroom Ground School held in the spring. You’ll
meet event organizers and other new track drivers. It’s nice to have some new friends and familiar faces at your
first track day. You’ll learn what to expect, as well as some driving techniques.

Attend an Advanced Driving Skills School. The in-car low-speed driving experience will give you confidence and
help you get the most out of your first track day. The cost is low. This is also a great experience for spouses and
friends. In addition, the Boston Chapter runs special clinics for new teen drivers (see www.boston-bmwcca.org
and www.streetsurvival.org). The skills learned at these clinics may well prevent your next accident.

Study the documents. You must be completely familiar with the Study Materials and Track Information sections
below. While you don’t have to memorize the schedule, it’s vital that you know what a waving yellow flag means
and which way the track goes over the top of the next hill.

Last, download and study the track video, in conjunction with the track map. Also, watch the novice video the
Boston Chapter made, following a novice through his first experience at the track.

Your mentor. New drivers are usually paired with an experienced driver to help you before and during the event. You and your mentor will receive an e-mail introducing you to each other. You’ll chat a bit, get some advice, and have a chance to ask questions and express concerns. You’ll meet up with your mentor at the track, so be sure to exchange descriptions and perhaps cell phone numbers. Agree on where to meet – usually at the track entrance gate or in the paddock. Your mentor will be a friendly face to help show you important things (like where the bathroom is, which you’ll need if you’ve awakened early, gulped a cup of coffee, and driven for an hour or two). If schedules permit, you might enjoy lunch together. If this is a multi-day event, your mentor can hook you up with other folks for dinner. With a bit of self-reliance and help from your mentor, your first track day will go smoothly and enjoyably.

Your instructor. While your mentor has track experience, his or her responsibility is largely social and logistical.

You will also have an instructor who will ride in the car with you. Your instructor will have considerable track driving experience and will have received special training to help you learn comfortably and quickly. You should obviously follow instructions from your instructor. You should not, however, feel pressure to drive faster than you are comfortable. Having memorized the study materials, you will both speak the same jargon, so that if you’re told, “breathe off the throttle” you’ll know that you should slightly relax the pressure on the gas pedal, not suck the air out of the engine. Don’t try to impress your instructor; you can’t. Don’t try to scare him; he already is. Or her, as some of our best instructors are women.

It’s important that you and your instructor can understand each other clearly, even in a pinch situation. It’s also important that you “click” enough for you to feel comfortable and learn easily. If you have a language, communication, or “chemistry” incompatibility, bring it to the attention of the chief instructor immediately, so that a different instructor can be assigned to you.

Family, friends, pets, and minors. Spectators are welcome, provided they are self-reliant. Some tracks, such as Watkins Glen, require visitors to be included on an approved visitor list, so give these names to the registrar in the morning. This is not a good time to be tending to children or worrying about a pet, so leave them at home unless someone else can tend to them. You will be busy and want to focus on learning without any distractions. Guests must sign all waivers to be admitted to the paddock and minors must have the signature of both parents or guardians. Minors must be kept behind the Pit road fence.

Other than your instructor, you may not take passengers (e.g., friends, family, and other students) on the track. The day/evening before. If you are planning on driving to the track in the morning, be sure to allow enough time to arrive promptly when registration opens. This may mean an early departure, and if it needs to be much before about 5 am, consider staying the night before in a nearby motel. You may be excited but try to get a good night’s rest. Abstain from alcohol and anything else that might affect your performance or sleep. Drink enough water so that you start the day properly hydrated.

Check the weather forecast and adjust your clothing as appropriate. This event runs regardless of the weather, even in pouring rain, freezing cold or broiling heat.

You should pack the car (and a suitcase if staying overnight) the night before. A list of what to bring – and what to leave home – can be found later in this guide. Keep your printed driving directions and maps where you can get to them. It will be easier to sleep if you know that all you need to do is get up and drive to the track.

Consult the track-specific for travel and lodging tips. Directions are provided from the Boston area. Some remote tracks may have limited cell phone data coverage. If in doubt, use a dedicated GPS or print some maps.

The morning: getting to the track. Get up and go at your planned time. If it is chilly or cold, dress in layers so that you can shed them later as the day warms. Remember that long pants are required (no nylon). You may want to enjoy a hot cup of coffee in the car, but allow time for fuel and bathroom breaks. You’ll probably be excited, but drive safely. Police may be patrolling the area around the track and aggressive driving reflects poorly on our club. Plan to arrive at the track just as registration opens, or a tiny bit before. Top up your gas tank near the track so that you will start a full tank. At the gas station, check your tire pressures and add air if needed. You may well need additional gas during the day; many cars will have fuel starvation when the gas gauge indicates less than half a tank.

The registration, waiver signing, and parking instructions vary with each track. Consult the track-specific guide. The morning at the track. You should expect to be busy. Your registration packet typically will contain a name tag and lanyard, an event schedule, an Instructor/Student assignment sheet, a wristband, and your car numbers. The first digit of your 3-digit car number is your run group – usually either 3 or 4 depending upon attendance. Your instructor will typically have the same last two digits as you but with a leading 0. For example, if you are car 417, your instructor will probably be 017. Last-minute instructor/student reassignments can change this.

You and your mentor will find each other. He or she can help you get going.

Take a minute to examine the event schedule. All students will go to Tech Inspection and the Driver’s Meeting. Find your run group (3 or 4). Locate your on-track run sessions and classroom time. You may wish to highlight your activities in the schedule to help them stand out. Keep track of time throughout the day as the classroom sessions are mandatory. The schedule is very tight, and it’s really important that you arrive on time. Listen for PA announcements, but they may not be heard everywhere in the paddock.

Insert your name tag and event schedule into your lanyard. For multi-day events be sure to use the correct day’s schedule as they may be different. Wear your lanyard name side out so that people can get to know you. Smiling a lot and looking a bit helpless will solicit assistance.

Place the wristband on your left wrist (so that it is easy to show track personnel). Without your wristband, you may be denied access to the track. The wristband signifies that you’ve signed the club liability waiver at registration. If this is a multi-day event, don’t remove the wristband (s) until the event is over.

Prepare your car for tech inspection. Empty out the contents – maps, tools, floor mats, trunk mat, radar detectors, garage door openers, coins, glove box contents, trunk contents – everything. The purpose is to prevent things from hitting you in an accident, from wedging under a pedal, or from flopping around distractingly. If the day is in and out of the sun, you may keep sunglasses in the car only if there is a secure place to stow them. Your spare tire must be removed unless it is in an enclosed trunk (i.e. not a hatchback) as it may break loose in an accident. Place your belongings on your small tarp and/or in your plastic bins to keep them clean. If it looks like rain, you may wish to place them inside the garage by asking politely.

Clean your windshield and make sure it is streak-free. Early and late in the day, you may be driving directly into the sun.

Place your car number stickers on the driver’s and passenger side rear windows. If you were provided a third set of numbers, place them on the rear windshield on the upper driver’s side. Be sure to press firmly and smooth out any air bubbles to prevent them from ripping off in the 100 MPH wind.

Check the pressure in each tire. If your tires are warm from a long drive up, they should be 2-4 pounds above the upper range of the recommended pressure, found in your owner’s manual or driver’s door jamb. (Don’t confuse this with the maximum inflation pressure on the sidewall of the tire; that’s the pressure above which the tire may rupture.) If your tires are cold, they should be at the upper recommended pressure. If in doubt, ask an experienced driver near you.

Check the tightness of every single lug bolt or lug nut on each wheel using a torque wrench. Consult your owner’s manual for the correct torque setting. For most cars, a torque setting of about 90 ft-lbs is about correct. If you do not own a torque wrench, borrow one. Do not skip this step. Re-torque again right before your second run group, after your car has cooled down. (Tightening the lug bolts when your wheels are hot will over-tighten them, possibly ruining the bolts (or studs).

Adjust the seat and mirrors as described in the Driving Techniques /Driving Position section.
Put your helmet in your car and slide your Pre-Event Tech Inspection Form (aka “tech form”) under your wiper (or on your dash if it’s raining) and proceed to the tech inspection line. There will be an announcement; feel free to ask where to go as each track and event is different. Don’t go to Tech Inspection until you’re prepared your car as described above. Please don’t be late for tech inspection.

Inspectors will check basic safety items, but this is not a substitute for your thorough pre-event professional safety inspection by your mechanic. Your tech form will be collected and your helmet checked. You will receive a small tech inspection sticker on your windshield. You will receive a sticker for your helmet (and if so, this sticker will be valid until the helmet expires). Return to your parking spot.

Tend to any personal needs. Drink a little water, snack a bit, or apply some sunscreen. Find and use the bathroom. Walk around and familiarize yourself with the paddock. Look at a track map to freshen up your memory. Introduce yourself to some new friends. Time allowing, your instructor may try to find you so, you can chat a bit. But keep an eye on the clock and the schedule. Listen for announcements. If you’ve arrived right on time, you won’t be rushed.

Soon it will be time for the driver’s meeting. Report as soon as you hear the announcement. Stand in front and listen carefully as there will be information and details for your safety, comfort, and fun. Pay particular attention to the definition of the passing zones. There may be late-breaking news. After the meeting is over, consult the schedule. You will likely report to the classroom next. Locate the classroom so you know where to go (ask anyone). Locate the staging area where you’ll meet up with your instructor as discussed in the meeting (or ask someone).

Report to class. Your first classroom session will review vital things that you must know, such as the flags, the track map, the passing zones, and the basics of driving the car on the track. Before you know it, the class will be over, and soon you’ll hear your run group announced.

Return to your car, ensure that you have your helmet, and drive the car to the staging. Leave the car running, turning it off only if it warms up fully (about 5 minutes after the water temperature reaches normal). You will meet your instructor, who will briefly chat about your experience and your car. While not required, we recommend that the instructor drive the first few laps in your car to help familiarize you with the track, the flagging stations, and the pit-out and pit-in procedures. Your instructor will provide you with an in-helmet communicator. Put on your helmet, then glasses (if any), then before fastening the helmet strap, slide the ear speaker to be directly over your ear. Orient the microphone to be on your
chin, just under your lower lip. Then fasten your chin strap.

The driver’s and instructor’s side windows must always be completely down when on the track. Sunroofs must be completely closed.

After your introductory laps, it’s time for you to drive! Switch seats. Your instructor will have tried to avoid adjusting your seat and mirrors, but may have made some changes. Readjust them. Fasten your seat belt as tightly as possible, low and across your hips, pulling out any slack. Follow your instructor’s instructions and proceed to pit-out. When signaled, proceed onto the track, staying within the blend line as instructed. Now your homework will pay off. You will know where the track goes and where the flagging stations are. You will likely have more fun than you’ve had in years, maybe ever.

When your session is over, as signaled by the checkered flag, drive at a pace that is slow enough to avoid braking (about 40 MPH). You will have a partial or complete cool-down lap, depending on the track. Some corners require very heavy braking; this cool-down lap helps your brakes cool a bit to prevent problems. Drive the proper line and wave to each flagger, as it thanks them and helps you remember where they are.

Cool your head down too. This lap is your opportunity to discuss your driving with your instructor. If you would like either more or less feedback from your instructor, discuss that. Your debriefing should be completed by the time you reach the Pit Road.

Signal your pit-in with a fist and enter Pit Road. Check your mirrors, and as soon as it is safe, decelerate to a prudent Pit Road speed. If your instructor has another student in the upcoming run session, drop him or her off without delay.

If your vehicle is being driven in the next track session by a co-driver, stop your car at the end of the line of cars forming the next Run Group session. Carry out driver and instructor changes. Otherwise, return to your parking spot, following any traffic flow instructions given during the driver’s meeting. Manual transmission cars should gently coast to a stop and be turned off using little or no brakes. Do not engage the parking brake as it may stick on. If your schedules permit, take additional time to discuss your run session and set goals for the next one.

Throughout the track day. Keep on top of your schedule and drink to stay hydrated (even in cool weather). There may be a scheduled lunch break, or you may need to grab lunch as your schedule permits. If you need to leave the track for food, you may wish to carpool with an experienced driver who knows where to go for quick reasonable food. Alternatively, pack your lunch.

Re-check your lug bolt torque (after cooling off) and tire pressures at least once during the day.

One of the thrills for most new track drivers is taking a ride in an instructor’s car. You may be able to coordinate this with your instructor. Otherwise, ask any available instructor for a ride. While this experience is optional, most find it thrilling and educational. Pay attention to the instructor’s line and smoothness with hands and feet. The instructor will rely on extensive experience to drive much faster than your skills allow. Don’t try to imitate instructor-level speeds and braking points when you return to the driver’s seat. It’s not uncommon to feel queasy when riding as a passenger (ask any instructor), so ask to enter Pit Road and be let out if you begin to feel unwell.

End of the day at the track. As the day goes on, you may become fatigued. If you feel you are too tired or distracted to drive safely, tell your instructor and call it a day. Most schedules allow for about four 20-25 minute sessions, which you will likely find exhausting.

Be aware of the so-called “red mist” which can set in when you are fatigued and in the excitement of high-speed driving, causing you to make an overly aggressive driving error.

Clean up any fluid spills or trash. Take any old car parts home with you. The track charges an exorbitant clean-up fee, which will be charged back to you.

Remove your car numbers (as they tend to attract police) and pack up your car. Say goodbye to your instructor and mentor, and drive home safely. You have been driving well over the normal speed limit, so the highway may seem initially rather leisurely. Be careful because the police know this too and may be patrolling the area around the track. When driving through towns and residential areas, remember that your behavior reflects on our club and that continued track operation relies on good rapport with the local residents.

You will receive e-mails with instructions on how to evaluate your instructor online, and how to read your instructor’s evaluation of you.

Sign up for your next event and tell your friends how much fun you had.

PREPARATION – CHECKLISTS OF WHAT YOU NEED TO GET AND DO
Here is a list of things that we recommend that you do when you are accepted to the school:


Print and begin reading and studying this guide.

• Download and print the Day of Event, Pre-Event Tech Inspection Form, Procedures and Rules, this guide,
  Driving Evals SLIP Student’s Guide, and track-specific guide.
• Make arrangements for a helmet (borrow, buy, or rent).
• Schedule a tech inspection 3-4 weeks before the event with a competent mechanic.
• Have your inspection, as described in the logistics section. Bring the form and have it signed.
• Collect everything on your To-Bring list.
• Download the track video and study the track map and track video.

Here is a list of things that we recommend that you bring with you to the track:

• A printed copy of the documents, including the track map and turn-by-turn directions, hotel reservation, if any street maps, and driving directions.
• Completed and signed Pre-Event Tech Inspection Form and Medical Form.
• Approved helmet.
• Long cotton pants
• Rain clothes (jacket and pants, or poncho) and umbrella.
• Lace shoes with socks. We recommend a snug-fitting thin-soled shoe. No big boots or open-toed shoes.
• Spare clothes in case of rain, cold, or heat. If the weather is warm, include a T-shirt and shorts for when you aren’t driving. Some people enjoy driving home in fresh underwear and socks.

Optional items:

• Optional ice chest with beverages, snacks, and perhaps your lunch. Some tracks have food service on the premises, others do not.
• Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for sun protection.
• Wallet and coins for beverage machine.
• Cell phone, turned off to avoid distraction.
• Spare car keys.
• Suitcase if staying overnight.
• Personal medications (prescription and perhaps a few basic first aid items).
• Extra prescription eyeglasses.
• Plastic tarp and/or waterproof plastic bin to protect your belongings from rain and dirt. Bungee cords will
  hold the tarp down in the wind. Some tracks have no place to store your belongings out of the rain.
• Collapsible lounge chair (optional, but you may get tired of standing around).
• Pen for note-taking.

To bring for your car:

• Torque wrench with a socket for your lug bolts (if you own one, otherwise there will many people willing to let you borrow one at the track and show you how to use it).
• Tire pressure gauge (dial-type preferred as the stick type is inaccurate). See above comment.
• Window cleaner and paper towels to clean your windshield.
• Blue painter’s tape to protect the front of your car, if desired.
• Basic automotive hand tools. Extensive tools aren’t necessary on your first day because you can borrow tools.
• Flashlight (for looking into the recesses of your car in the event of car trouble).
• Mechanics work gloves and/or latex gloves (optional, but helpful in keeping your hands clean).
• Extra Motor oil and brake fluid, if you think you might need them.
• Small portable compressor or air tank, with air chuck (optional). Some tracks have compressed air available and others do not. See above comment.

To leave at home:

• Anything in your car that you absolutely don’t need, such as irrelevant maps, floor mats, junk in your trunk, trash, child car seats – anything that isn’t bolted down or necessary.
• Radar detector if traveling to Canada, as they are illegal
• Weapons or firearms
• Illegal drugs
• Drones and ’copters
• Children, pets, or guests who aren’t self-sufficient, unless someone else can tend to them.
• Anything that can’t get a bit wet or dirty (e.g., fancy leather suitcase).
• Distracting thoughts and worries.

Flags

Flag stations are located at specific corners and elsewhere around the track. At these stations, corner
workers watch the cars and monitor the track’s condition. When problems arise, the workers display or wave
signal flags to warn the drivers of danger ahead before they encounter it. The flag and how it’s displayed
communicate specific situations and command specific responses from the driver. In order to make this event
safe for you and other drivers, you must know where the flag stations are, watch for the signal flags, and know
what the flags mean. The flags will be also be demonstrated at the Driver’s Meeting or first Ground School
classroom session.

Some tips from those with lots of track days:

• Read and follow the Driving Techniques (see below): look ahead at where you want to go (not what you want to avoid), don’t brake and turn at the same time, keep your hands at 9 and 3 o’clock (and not resting on the gear shift lever), keep your left foot on the dead pedal.
• Study the track map and description, driving techniques, and jargon before you get to the track.
  Do more listening than talking. Ask lots of questions.
• Drive slowly at first. Work on driving the line, being smooth, and consistently hitting your reference marks. Speed will come later. If you miss your reference marks a couple of turns in a row, slow down; you’re probably trying too hard. No one cares how fast you go; there’s no trophy at the end of the day.
  Don’t follow the line of the car in front of you. If they make a mistake, you’ll follow them right off the track. Drive your own (correct) line.
• After you’ve pointed a faster car by, don’t try to follow at its faster pace. Drive at your own pace.
  Do not abruptly lift off the throttle in a turn. You will invite a spin. See Trailing Throttle Oversteer in the glossary.
• Don’t rush your shift, but rather make it slow enough to be deliberate. Make sure you are in the right gear before letting out the clutch.
• Relax. Breathe. Don’t hold your breath in turns. Relax your hands on the straights as nerves will make you
  grip the wheel tightly. The nervousness will dissipate with experience.
• Check your ego. Unless you have previous motorsports experience, you are not a good driver. Yet.
  If you don’t click with your instructor, ask for another one. No one’s feelings will be hurt.
• Don’t worry if you’re not very mechanically inclined. Beyond tire pressures and checking the tightness of
  your lug bolts with a torque wrench, it’s unlikely that your car will need any maintenance during the day.
  Over time, many track addicts learn how to do common tasks, such as changing brake pads. That may
  come with time, but you need not be concerned about looking like a klutz with tools. First, no one cares.
  Second, someone will probably be glad to help you.
• Stay hydrated, even if it isn’t really hot. Use the bathroom before your session as it’s hard to drive with your legs crossed.

Glossary of Driving Terms and Jargon.

You and your instructor need a common vocabulary to communicate fluently.

• BREATHE To slightly relieve pressure on the throttle.
• BOTH FEET IN To depress both the clutch and the brake hard to stop a spinning car. “If you spin, both
  feet in.” (Automatic transmission: press brake only.)
• CAMBER The lateral grade (i.e. tilt) of the roadway.
• CONTACT PATCH The portion of a tire coming in contact with the road.
• COOL-DOWN LAP The final lap before entering the pits at the end of the driving session.
• CRAB/CHEAT To gradually leave the outside edge of the track before reaching the turn-in point.
  Wastes road width, tightening the corner. This may lead to an early apex which will translate into running out of track at the exit.
• EARLY APEX Apex in which the car reaches the inside edge of the track too soon in the corner.
  Usually caused by early turn-in, the car may run out of track at the track-out point.
• EASE ON/EASE OFF To smoothly add or remove throttle input.
• FRICTION CIRCLE A graph on which the cornering, braking, and acceleration forces of a car are plotted.
• HEEL & TOE An advanced technique for simultaneously downshifting and braking.
• LATE APEX Is the point at which the car reaches the inside edge of the track too late in the corner. Usually caused by late turn-in, the car will not need all the track width at the exit. Slow but safe.
• LIFT To remove throttle input partially or completely. An abrupt lift when the steering wheel isn’t straight will invite a spin.
• THE LINE The optimized path around the track. The line can change based on the type of vehicle and the weather conditions.
• OVERSTEER A condition where the rear tires are sliding laterally more than the front tires in a turn.
• PASSING ZONE A portion of the track designated for over-taking (passing).
• PINCH To add steering input while turning (such as when making up for an early apex) or alternatively to not allow the car to drift out to the track-out point. Invites a spin.
• PIT-IN SIGNAL A closed-fist left-hand signal given by the driver of a vehicle warning that he or she is traveling slowly, whether about to enter the pits or not.
• POINT-BY A pointing distinct left-hand signal given by the driver to indicate on which side another car should pass.
• POWER OVERSTEER Oversteer is caused by applying too much throttle too soon.
• REFERENCE POINT A landmark used by the driver to initiate braking, turn-in, apex, or track-out. Also known as mark as in “hitting your marks.”
• RED MIST Over-aggressive judgment caused by the excitement and fatigue of track driving. Also known as Helmet Fire.
• ROTATION The turning of a car by using brakes and/or throttle. See trailing throttle oversteer, trail brake, and weight transfer. Controlled rotation is an advanced technique.
• SKID PAD A circular training course that provides a driver with a perpetual corner.
• SPIN A condition where the tires have lost traction and the vehicle is spinning around its vertical axis.
• SQUEEZE To smoothly add more throttle.
• STAY IN/STAY OUT A command given by an instructor asking the driver to either keep the car closer to the inside of the corner (STAY IN), or position the car closer to the outside of the corner (STAY OUT).
• STRING RULE This is a description of the fact that as you increase one input, another must be decreased as if connected by a string. Examples include unwinding as you squeeze on power or coming off the brake as you turn in.
• THRESHOLD BRAKE To use 100% of the car’s braking ability in a straight line. Just shy of wheel lock-up (skid)
  or ABS (Antilock Brake System) activation.
• TRACK-OUT The exit point of a corner where the car passes close to the outside edge of the track.
• TRAIL BRAKE To intentionally use some brakes, in diminishing amounts, from the turn-in point toward the apex, to induce rotation.
• BRAKE OVERSTEER Oversteer is caused by excessive trail braking or by applying the brakes while turning.
• TRAILING-THROTTLE OVERSTEER Oversteer is caused by abruptly lifting off the throttle as the car is turning.
• TURN-IN The entry point of a corner where the driver first turns the steering wheel.
• TYPE I TURN A turn that leads directly onto a straight. Considered the most important type.
• TYPE II TURN A turn at the end of a straight. Considered less important.
• TYPE III TURN A turn that connects two other turns (does not lead onto or end a straight), is considered the least important. Often a “throwaway turn,” implies that the fastest line doesn’t follow the classic turn-in / apex / track-out line.
• UNDERSTEER A condition where the front tires are sliding laterally more than the rear tires in a turn.
• UNWIND To return the steering wheel to the center position.
• WEIGHT TRANSFER Change in the car’s distribution of weight on each of the four tires as a result of lateral (sideways) or longitudinal (front/back) acceleration.

While there are many advanced and varied techniques, focusing on a small set of essentials will help you get the most out of your first track day.

Driving Position. Position the seat so that you can comfortably reach the pedals, including being able to fully depress the clutch. For your safety, lower the seat so that you have at least a fist of room above your helmet.

Adjust the back of the seat so that you can drape your wrist on top of the wheel without your shoulders coming off the seat back. If your chest is closer than 12” from the airbag, recline the seat slightly. Place your hands at the 3 and 9 o’clock position. This is where you will keep them while driving.

Adjust your side mirrors so that you can barely see your car in your side mirrors. With this adjustment, an overtaking car should move from the rearview mirror to the side mirror to your peripheral vision without a blind spot.
Brake or turn; pick one. Your car can brake at 100% of its ability. It can turn at 100% of its ability. It can’t do both at the same time. As a novice, you will be braking in a straight line, without turning. Similarly, while you are turning, you must not use the brakes (except to stop in the event of a spin, of course). And last, you must be gentle in applying power (easing onto the throttle) as you exit the turn and unwind the wheel.

Going through a turn. Most turns will have the key reference points of turn-in, apex, and (sometimes) track-out marked with orange traffic cones. You will likely be at full throttle (gas pedal to the floor) as you approach the turn.
Position the car on the outer side of the track.

Smoothly come off the throttle and brake in a straight line, starting at your braking reference point. Your instructor will help you find this.

If you have a manual transmission, downshift as you approach the turn-in point. Let the clutch out gently to avoid lurching. Complete your downshift before the turn-in point.

At the turn-in point, smoothly turn the wheel to bring the car to the inner side of the track at the apex.

Apply a small amount of throttle to maintain your speed and bring your inside wheels close to the inner edge of the pavement at the apex.

Smoothly ease on the throttle and allow the car to drift to the outer side of the track at the track-out point.

As you approach the track-out point, smoothly unwind the wheel back to straight and smoothly press the gas pedal to the floor (or as desired).

Looking ahead. It is a natural reaction to look right in front of the car. Imagine that you walked through an airport looking only straight down. You’d bump into people, not be able to find the gate and walk a crooked path. By looking ahead as you drive, your hands will naturally steer the car where you want it to go, in a smooth path with fewer steering correction wiggles. In addition, you’ll see problems ahead far before you get to them.

The correct line through a turn has a series of reference points (orange cones, brake reference numbers, cracks in the pavement, whatever). These mark the braking point, turn-in point, apex, and track-out point. As you approach one of these reference points, but before you get there, turn your attention to the next reference point. For example, as you are braking and approaching the turn-in point, but before you actually turn the wheel, start looking at the apex.

If things don’t go as planned. Your instructor is there to help you avoid driving mistakes. But no one is perfect, so you need to know what to do if things go wrong.

If you’ve early-apexed or misjudged the track-out point and put the outer two wheels off the pavement:

• Immediately unwind the wheel to keep two wheels off the track.
• Smoothly come off the throttle and allow the car to slow down. If you need to brake, do it very gently.
• Only when the car is slow and straight, gently steer back onto the track. Don’t do this too soon or the car may abruptly jump across the track and go off on the other side.

If the car understeers and the front of the car starts pointing away from where you want to go:

• Smoothly ease off the throttle a little. The front of the car will “tuck back in” and resume turning.
• Do not add more steering input. If fact, you may have overturned the wheel and need to unwind slightly.

If the car oversteers and the rear of the car starts sliding out:

• Immediately and abruptly steer the other way to keep the front tires pointed at where you want to go.
• This is one time when you do not attempt to be smooth.
• Don’t suddenly lift off the throttle, as this will make it worse.
• If you’ve just lifted off the throttle, add a little more throttle (because you’re experiencing trailing throttle oversteer).
• If you have been easing onto the throttle (squeezing on power), breathe off the throttle gently to restore rear traction (because you’re experiencing power oversteer).
• If you have been braking, smoothly come off the brake to allow the rear of the car to regain traction (because you’re experiencing brake oversteer).
• If you have successfully “caught” the car, immediately straighten the wheel out to avoid the car snapping in the opposite direction. Be prepared to counter-steer in the other direction.
• If the oversteer slide progresses and it becomes clear that you cannot catch the spin, immediately put both feet in – that is, simultaneously depress the clutch and brake – HARD! Don’t release the brake until the car has completely stopped.