Fred Davis - Training Plan No. 8
Goal
Improve overall speed.
Conclusion
Similar errors to last week, which is an indication that it is time to move to a different car. The Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport might be a good match for you at this stage.
Assigned Task
As we are changing the car, it might also be refreshing to change track. Laguna Seca is a great car for the Clubsport. Many different types of corners and lots of techniques to perfect. Start slowly and refer back to the analysis. Memorise the braking points (often helps to remember the corner names at the same time). Concentrate on not coasting at all. Either on the brake or the gas, never idling.
1st key mistake:
Braking too late
Why it matters
The desire to brake late is often strong. However, there is much more time to be gained on corner exit especially when it leads onto a long fast section.
How much of a problem it is for you
35% of your mistakes are braking errors. 13% of these are braking too late.
See an example in your own sessions
Look at segment 3, Your late braking, coupled with the need to stay on the brakes a longer, makes this your slowest segment. Try to brake earlier to help you get on the same racing line as the reference lap.
Learn to improve
Brake a little earlier than normal and check your deltas to see if the extra speed that you can gain on the corner exit is beneficial over the subsequent segments. Remember the most time is gained on corner exit not corner entry. Biggest win for you here though is not staying on the brakes too long.
2nd key mistake:
Unnecessary coasting between brake and throttle input
Why it matters
This is very important to look at. This long period of neither braking or accelerating is killing your times.
How much of a problem it is for you
With 20% of all of your mistakes being this one, very important to get to grips with.
See an example in your own sessions
This is a little harder to visualise but if you go to segment 5, then mouse across the graph slowly. Watch how there is a period where you are neither accelerating or braking. This coasting phase is lost time. It is important to be on the brakes and then get immediately on the throttle, a little crossover to practice is also fine.
Learn to improve
It has been talked about a fair amount now. Try to be a little less binary with the pedals, as one is coming off, ease in the other. The change of car for your new assigned task might help here.
3rd key mistake:
Coming on and off the brakes inconsistently
Why it matters
Brake pressure is not just about deceleration but also about manipulating the car's balance. Tiny differences in how you come off the brakes can mean vastly different grip levels on the front. You sometimes get down to zero brake pressure a tiny bit too early and as the front of the car lacks grip, start understeering.
How much of a problem it is for you
Around 5% of your mistakes are down to this inconsistency.
See an example in your own sessions
Segment 9, is interesting as it is so different from the reference lap. Even though it looks like too much braking from the reference lap, the important point to note is that your on/off action is costing you time across multiple laps.
Learn to improve
A rule that seldomly needs to be broken (apart from in races!) is brake hard and brake fast. Smooth and gradual pedal action is nearly always reserved for throttle, especially when learning.
Your predicted potential lap time improvement
0.8s - 1.1s
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