How to take ‘The Racing Line’

Robb Y    Driving Experiences     driving experiences

You may have heard commentators talk about the perfect ‘racing line’. But what is it? And how is it different for race car driving and racing bikes? Let’s find out…

If you love watching motor racing you’ll know each team is after every little advantage it can get. However, there is always one set route through each bend all drivers take – this is the racing line: simply, it’s the fastest way through a corner.

Most people think that in NASCAR racing there are no corners, yet there are some road courses, such as Watkins Glen and Sonoma, and drivers on these face hairpin turns and chicanes.

So, whether it’s on a banked circuit or on the street, taking the correct line is vital – we all know what happens when a car overshoots the corner! So this is where the racing line principles help.

Now, imagine you’re taking a left turn. The key to getting round it is to hit the apex (centre) of the turn, but turn in too early or too late and you’ll find yourself out of position on the exit.

To set their cars for a left hand corner, racing drivers commonly first pull their car to the right and then turn into the bend, in search of the apex – next time you see a NASCAR street race or a European Grand Prix watch and learn.

With motorbikes it’s a little different: bikers still look for the best line, it’s just that they have to lean their bikes right over as part of the technique.

Because cars are so evenly matched, it’s often the driver’s skill that makes all the difference. And to spice things up a little NASCAR has even fitted an overtaking boost button to its race cars.

Even with all the technology in the world, in the end it’s down to man, or woman, and machine. How would you manage pitted against the best drivers in the US? Would you save your overtaking boost till the last corner? Or is there a friend or relative who would be delighted to have a go at racecar driving, as well? – silly question really, everyone wants to have a go at racecar driving!

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