5 Tips for Driving Your Corvette on the Track
Daily Slideshow: After a recent coaching run in 3 cars that produce a collective 1,700 horsepower I wanted to share my experience on cars like the Z06. Here are 5 things to remember when you get behind the wheel of these monsters.
1. Look Ahead
Looking ahead is incredibly important in a car that covers ground as fast as a Z06, but where do you look? Try to place your eyes on the driving line far enough down the road where you can sight a braking marker and then commit it to memory. After a few tries, you will become acclimated with the braking points, which frees up your brain to focus on yaw angles and picking up the throttle earlier to get better corner entry and exits.
2. Be Consistent
If you go to a track day in your Corvette, remember that it is more important to cut consistent lap times than “fast” lap times. By focusing on repetition, you can begin to analyze driving technique or what effect a new modification has had on the driving dynamics of the car. If your lap times fluctuate wildly, you’re not going to get any good data to learn from. Be consistent!
>>Join the conversation about these track day tips right here in CorvetteForum.
3. Trail Brake Sparingly
A well-setup Z06 has plenty of grip going into a corner. Trail braking is often asked about by students as if it's a video game cheat code. The reality is this is a high-level technique that depends on corner type and, more importantly, car setup to perform safely. On most tracks, it is only going to slow you down in a majority of the corners. Keep the back end settled and focus on strong corner exits instead.
>>Join the conversation about these track day tips right here in CorvetteForum.
4. Always Adapt Your Driving
These cars are sensitive to tire changes, alignments, and other modifications. Always approach the limit cautiously when you make a change to your Corvette, especially if you downgrade your tires. While a 300 tread wear tire may sound enticing compared to a 200 tread wear, this can result in your 'Vette no longer being able to hold a corner at the same speed. Tire compound is everything.
>>Join the conversation about these track day tips right here in CorvetteForum.
5. Traction Control is Your Friend
Modern Corvettes are pushing 600HP+ to the wheels, which means you better know what you are doing if you switch the traction control and electronic stability systems off. Just a touch too much gas can cause mid-corner understeer if you’re not careful. Lifting off the gas after this occurs can cause snap oversteer which only makes things worse. Don’t sweat it…leave traction control on.
>>Join the conversation about these track day tips right here in CorvetteForum.
Summary
Keep your eyes up in the corners, brake in a straight line as much as possible to avoid the back end moving around, and be aware of the limitations of the car in the configuration you currently drive it. This will make you a better driver, inspire confidence, and make sure your Corvette doesn’t end up in a junkyard somewhere. Practice these tips and have fun at your next track day.
>>Join the conversation about these track day tips right here in CorvetteForum.
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