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3c.BASIC DRIVING TECHNIQUES (GTBAS)
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Drafting - This is one car following closely behind another in its slipstream.
-------- In daily highway driving, this can be used for fuel efficiency when
traveling long distances. In racing, its used for fuel efficiency
and a speed burst. The cars can travel a few mph faster because they
share the same 'pocket of air'.
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Slipstream - This is the 'passageway' of air that flows behind a car. This
---------- slipstream effect works in the following way. As a single car
races around a track, it creates a "bubble" of high-density air
in front of it and a bubble of low-density air behind. The
difference in the pressure between these two air pockets creates
drag, the force that impedes motion. This drag force limits the
top speed the car can attain. But if a second car pulls up
behind the first, the slipstreams created by the the two merge
so that the first car losses its aft bubble and the second car
loses its front bubble. This effect reduces the drag force each
car experiences and both are able to travel slightly faster.
Another use of drafting occurs when a slower car pulls in behind
a faster car and takes advantage of the first car's slipstream.
This has the effect of helping the second car go faster while
forcing the faster car to work harder thereby narrowing the
performance gap between the two opponents.
But eventually, the second car needs to pass the first in order
to make a run at the victory. Drafting can also assist in this
effort if the second driver can take advantage of the "slingshot
effect." By dropping back from the first car a little, the low-
pressure bubble aft of the first car then "sucks" the second car
forward. The second driver then gains a little more speed as he
pulls out to the side to pass the first car. By the same token,
the first car loses speed as the low-density bubble is fully
reformed aft of his car.
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Cornering - As a general practice, you want to brake early entering corners.
--------- Braking earlier will allow you to accelerate earlier coming out
of the corner. Some really good drivers can overcome poor handling
when cornering by knowing when to brake and accelerate. The ideal
braking point is dependent on the car and the corner. Practice
with one car will help you figure out its limits.
Start wide upon entering the corner and hit the brake. Turn the
wheel, and accelerate through the apex of the turn. Exit wide, and
you have completed a good turn. Remember, in slow, out fast.
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Understeer - This is a car not turning very much in relation to how much the
---------- wheel is turned at high speeds. This is a characteristic of
FWD cars and some AWD. Generally, understeer is not very good
for racing on tracks with lots of tight, twisty turns.
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Oversteer - This is a car turning a lot in relation to how much the wheel is
--------- turned. This is a characteristic of RWD and some AWD cars.
Cars with oversteer are easier to whip/slide through corners,
but are much easier to spin out. That is the reason why FWD
is considered a beginner's drivetrain and RWD is for more
experienced drivers.
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