GET FAST
The GET FAST series is a progressive practice plan to get up to speed in 50 laps. Demonstration videos utilizing the iRacing simulator accompany each phase.
Each demonstration video is part of a 50-lap practice session of me trying to get up to speed for my first ever trip to Road Atlanta.
LEARN THE LAYOUT
This video covers lap 1: Learn the Layout and Corner Stations. Beyond the lefts and rights, know where all the Corner Stations are located and become familiar with their lines-of-site.
RUNOFF AREAS
This video covers lap 2: Runoff and paved areas. Scout each corner for additional pavement, escape routes, and runoff areas in case of a mistake, contact, or mechanical issue.
PIT IN/OUT + BLEND
This video covers lap 3: Pit in/out + blend line for the Support Paddock Pit (not the pro pits which are the default pits used in iRacing). Run through the Support Paddock Pits at least once to get the feel for exiting and rejoining the track.
LOOK WITH PURPOSE
This video covers the laps 4-6: Look with Purpose. Lap 4 covers the scenery and long-range reference points, lap 5 traces more specific reference points along the ideal trajectory, and lap 6 covers rhythm and timing of vision around the track.
USE THE WHOLE TRACK
This video covers the laps 7-9: Use the whole track. Focus on turning-in from the outside, getting to the exact apex, and tracking out all the way. Figure out which curbing to use, which corners to compromise, and which part of the track to be on to take advantage of elevation changes.
DRIVE AT THE LIMIT OF GRIP
This video covers laps 10-12: Drive at the limit of grip. Find the limit of grip in each corner, begin to notice and anticipate changes in grip due to the track surface and topography, and carry additional momentum to take advantage of temporary increases in grip to spend the most amount of time at the limit.
SHAPE ARC TO PRIORITIZE EXIT
This video covers laps 16-18: shaping the trajectory through the corner to optimize momentum and exit speed. Adjust the shape of the line to take advantage of the unique features of each corner, and prioritize a sharp apex angle for clean acceleration onto straightaways.
GEAR SELECTION
This video covers laps 13-15: shifting and gear selection. Find the ideal upshift point for each gear and nail it every time, figure out which gear to be in for each corner, and make sure downshifts are in-rhythm and timed to best help slow/rotate the car.
GET ON THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR
This video covers laps 19-21: how to get on the brake pedal to stop the car as efficiently as possible. Map out the brake zones and each time the brake pedal is applied around the track, identify any differences in approach for each brake zone, and then break down the different phases of initial brake pedal application.
GET OFF THE BRAKES TO ROTATE
This video covers laps 22-24: Get off the brakes, rotate the car. Identify each point around the track where maximum rotation is initiated, either by a brake release or lift, learn how to approach each corner to initiate the ideal amount of rotation, and seamlessly release the brake pedal to initiate the perfect coasting period.
GET BACK ON THE THROTTLE
This video covers laps 25-27: Get back on the throttle. Work through each phase of initial pedal application from initial input to increasing throttle to control rotation to wide-open-throttle. Identify a target wide open throttle point for each corner and work backwards to fill-in as much throttle input as possible.
TURN THE WHEEL
This video covers laps 28-30: Turn the wheel. Get the most out of steering wheel input to maximize the amount of momentum that can be carried through each corner. Add steering in-time with brake release and weight shift, and make sure to achieve maximum steering input (or just beyond) at the slowest point just after turn-in.
UNWIND THE WHEEL
This video covers laps 31-33: Unwind the wheel. Maintain the steering, apex, and exit angle that are in the car to the greatest extent possible. Unwind only enough to accommodate increasing momentum as the car accelerates. But, also unwind the wheel as quickly as possible - the balance between these is the ideal exit.
FLAT CAR
This video covers laps 34-36: Flat car. Check out content from Rob Wilson for more on the flat car concept. The idea is to minimize weight transfer to maximize total grip across all 4 tires. Introduce inputs, reduce any excessive weight transfer, and avoid tossing the car.
JUST RIP IT
This video covers laps 37-39: Just rip it + a 10-lap run. In previous videos we analyzed and overanalyzed the track and in-car inputs, but now it's time to pull it all together. Think about maybe just 1 simple tip per corner and then head out and send it.
HOT LAP
After 100+ laps of practice (repeating the steps above + some lap time games: run within 1s of optimal, push for optimal segments, etc.) here's the fastest practice lap leading up to the Champcar Boxster test at Road Atlanta
Want more content to get faster? Check out my YouTube channel for the Road Atlanta real life on-boards, GET FAST Series videos for other circuits, and quick tip videos.