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1. 1 Simple Thing To Focus On To Get Better Exits Out of Hairpin Corners
I was out at COTA this weekend for the SCCA Super Tour and it was so nice to meet so many of you there! To anyone that stopped by and said hi, thank you!
COTA is a pretty interesting track from a technical perspective and one thing it tests drivers on is their ability to attack a hairpin-style corner properly. This week I wanted to talk about the game plan I use for hairpin corners and what I focus on.
Turn 11 at COTA is the quintessential hairpin corner. We have a long straight coming into it so you arrive at the braking zone with a good amount of speed. Then we have a long straightaway coming out of the corner as well. My list of priorities (in order) in a corner like this are:
- Getting back to full throttle as soon as I can after the apex
- Where I pick up the initial throttle
- Carrying full throttle as long as I can into the braking zone
- Maximizing my minimum speed through the middle of the corner
Where we get back to full throttle will depend heavily on the car we are driving (it will take a lot longer for a GT1 car vs. a Spec Miata to get back to full throttle) but my goal is to try and get back to full throttle before my outside front tire gets to the exit curb in almost any car.
A critical component that I need to focus on to allow me to do that is what I do with the steering wheel past the apex. One of the most common mistakes I see a driver make in a hairpin is when they have to add more steering input after the apex. This happens due to one of the following mistakes:
- Too early of a turn-in point
- Too quick of a turn-in rate
- Too early to initial throttle
- Too much apex speed
To simplify hairpin corners I highly recommend checking in on your hands. If you find that you can't immediately start unwinding the steering wheel after the apex then something went wrong.
The first thing I would recommend looking at is where you pick up your initial throttle application. Play your video, and pause it where you first squeeze into the throttle. If that comes before the apex before you can unwind the steering wheel that is the first thing I would fix.
If you're initial throttle comes too long after the apex point then you likely rolled in too much apex speed.
I recommend looking at this first because it's the easiest thing for drivers or riders of all levels to look at and identify.
Being able to identify the correct apex point and how your line looks based on that takes a little bit more of an experienced line. If you're a Blayze+ member I would recommend checking our "approved onboard videos" section that we continue to build and compare the apex points in those videos to your video to try and analyze where you're apexing.
Of course, sending your video to your Blayze coach is the best and easiest option there as well!
For my second priority in a hairpin-style corner (maximizing full throttle into the corner) I want to focus on the style of brake zone I want in a corner like this. I consider these more of a "square" brake zone where I want to hold more pressure throughout the braking zone vs. trying to release off of the brakes.
Here is a great article discussing the different types of brake zones for different corners.
2. Data 201 Blayze+ Live Call
At the end of January Blayze coach, Colin Mullan hosted his Data 201 course! This video is full of so much fantastic info to help you maximize how you use your data.
Click here to view Colin's Data 101 and 201 courses!
2b. Try Blayze+ For One Month For $29
For a limited time only, you can try our Blayze+ for just a one-time payment of $29! What do you get when you become a Blayze+ member?
- Join your dedicated coach on a 1-on-1 intro call
- Get one free one-lap analysis coaching session ($129 of value!)
- Chat message with your coach from the Blayze app anytime
- Hop on Blayze+ Live coaching calls every other Tuesday evening
So, are you ready to learn from the best in the world and smash your best lap times? Click here to learn more!
3. Why Do Crashes Happen at Turn 3 at Laguna Seca?