<Misc>Smooth driving

["Marc Plante" <marc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Things to work on away from the track for smoother driving:

1) Look ahead.  Anticipate, so you don't have to make quick movements or
inputs to steering or brakes.  If you want to go to extremes, put a run of
thin tape across the windshield to keep your eyes up (somethign thin like
single width correction tape from an office supply store.
2) Think of having eggs (toothpaste tubes)under your feet for gas and brake.
Don't stomp; Squeeze.
3) Try to develop systematic methods for handling the wheel around corners
of different radius. Reduce things to processes that you can do consistently
to keep the wheel jerking and fiddling to a minimum.
4) Always pull the steering wheel into a turn.  Don't push it.  Pulling uses
more muscles and is easier to keep smooth.
5)  Hold the wheel gently, same tube of toothpaste that you hav under your
feet.  Tension makes for jerky movements that you'll FEEL at speed.
6) Get a guide to heel toe downshifting and double clutching.  Opinions may
be divided on double clutching but smooth heel toe downshifting goes a LONG
way.  It's critical on the track, and you really should learn it in the off
season on the street.  I recommend Skip Barber's "Going Faster" as a good
technica reference on driving technique.  Go to any online bookstore to
order.
7) Don't rush your shifts.  Keep them smooth.  A slower, smooth shift is
better than a quick jerky one, plus it's easier on the drivetrain.

Marc Plante
E36 325i
Alexandria, VA
mailto:marc@domain.elided

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