[M5Rick]

Worth taking in especially if an M driver

@7:28

[jmg]

Good stuff on looking ahead in corner entry. That's one of the number 1 things they teach you in high performance driving. Also, keep that head on a swivel. Turn your head into the corner. A hairpin corner should have you looking out the side windows, for example.

As far as "keeping up with friends" every race car drivers know that in order to be fast, you need to be really good a braking. Most people think being faster in the corner will let them catch up without considering the grip limitations of their car. That's when they lose control. Instead, think about reducing the brake zones so that the car is at speed a bit longer. That means reducing coasting time where drivers let off the throttle, coast to the corner, then apply the brakes. In normal street driving, we normally apply the brakes gradually at first, then increase pressure as the car gets closer to the corner or stop light etc. In high performance driving, it's the exact opposite. You are on the throttle until your brake zone begins, then HARD initially on the brakes, then trail it off as you reach the apex. This leads to shorter braking distances, longer straights at speed, and increased corner stability. HOWEVER, this is generally dangerous on canyon road, as misjudgments on that braking zone are way too easy. It's more usable on the track, where you are familiar with the track and know exactly when to brake. Additionally, this method is very hard on the brakes, and factory pads have a high chance of fading in short order, which could cause the brakes to perform so poorly as to be dangerous.

Tire Pressure:
Pressure is proportional to temperature in our tires. Cold tire temps are generally fine since street driving doesn't reach extreme temperatures that you get on the track. However, for optimal tire performance, tire temps should be taken HOT, and adjusted not to be above the optimal temp/pressure for that tire. In general, high performance summer tires don't like to be above 40psi hot.

Good stuff on corner exit. Here's a easy metaphor to help visualize throttle application.

Picture a string attached to the bottom of the steering wheel and the gas pedal. With the steering wheel turned, the string will not allow the throttle to be fully engaged. Only as you straighten the wheel does the string allow you to apply more throttle.

[Andrew2]

Take professional instruction, road first then track

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Worth taking in especially if an M driver

I assume there is high-performance driving instruction available in the UK, Rick, is there not?

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Llarry

I assume there is high-performance driving instruction available in the UK, Rick, is there not?

I'll tell you what I do Llarry.
Once in a while I go to a place where you can drive V8 AMG cars, at Mercedes World in Surrey. There for an hour you can drive these RWD cars around a test track at WOT where possible and the instructor advises you of what you could do better, then there's a wet skid control work out around a roundabout. He gave me 8/10 the first time I went so was quite pleased with myself.
The entry and exit of a turn is important and having the right entry then gradual throttle coming out of the turn building to FT when the front wheels are straight is the key to getting a good lap, as the chap in the vid above explains.
On the public road you are then more sure of yourself reading coming situations better and when approaching another car to overtake you quickly take in factors like what car it is and what you can see of that driver with the way its being being driven before making your move.

[eugenebmw]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

I'll tell you what I do Llarry.
Once in a while I go to a place where you can drive V8 AMG cars, at Mercedes World in Surrey. There for an hour you can drive these RWD cars around a test track at WOT where possible and the instructor advises you of what you could do better, then there's a wet skid control work out around a roundabout. He gave me 8/10 the first time I went so was quite pleased with myself.
The entry and exit of a turn is important and having the right entry then gradual throttle coming out of the turn building to FT when the front wheels are straight is the key to getting a good lap, as the chap in the vid above explains.
On the public road you are then more sure of yourself reading coming situations better and when approaching another car to overtake you quickly take in factors like what car it is and what you can see of that driver with the way its being being driven before making your move.

This is where I unleash my G82 and learn all the skills to drive safe and fast.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by eugenebmw

This is where I unleash my G82 and learn all the skills to drive safe and fast.

You have all the gear there eugenebmw

[eugenebmw]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

You have all the gear there eugenebmw

I heard so many OP on this forum are talking about modified this and that on their G8x in order to to drive fast on track. If you ask me, it is a joke. If you don't have the proper tracking skills, even a miata can beat you at every apex turning Instead of spending the $$$$ on modified your cars, I will sign up for more track days. Learn the skills and have fun.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by eugenebmw

I heard so many OP on this forum are talking about modified this and that on their G8x in order to to drive fast on track. If you ask me, it is a joke. If you don't have the proper tracking skills, even a miata can beat you at every apex turning Instead of spending the $$$$ on modified your cars, I will sign up for more track days. Learn the skills and have fun.

You only have to look at the 'Ring in Germany vids to see where so many go wrong, a group talk with an advisor is not good enough before being let loose on the track.

[eugenebmw]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

You only have to look at the 'Ring in Germany vids to see where so many go wrong, a group talk with an advisor is not good enough before being let loose on the track.

The best way is having an instructor sit in your car with you while driving on track for a few track days. You will be surprise how many mistakes you made. The hardest parts are learn from the mistake and re-learn the correct way to drive.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by eugenebmw

The best way is having an instructor sit in your car with you while driving on track for a few track days. You will be surprise how many mistakes you made. The hardest parts are learn from the mistake and re-learn the correct way to drive.

How is the spacing of the two pedals on the M4, Eugene, are the two close up to the right (if your M4 has a semi auto gearbox)..like they are on the m5?
I added a brake pedal to the left extension so I can left foot brake keeping my right foot over the gas pedal more. When you get used to it you should get quicker lap times as the correlation between braking and throttle will be more positive.

Here's Mick's take on braking and how to master it better.

[eugenebmw]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

How is the spacing of the two pedals on the M4, Eugene, are the two close up to the right (if your M4 has a semi auto gearbox)..like they are on the m5?
I added a brake pedal to the left extension so I can left foot brake keeping my right foot over the gas pedal more. When you get used to it you should get quicker lap times as the correlation between braking and throttle will be more positive.

Here's Mick's take on braking and how to master it better.

Totally agree with the left foot braking. Drive fast and safe on tracks or roads are ways more than just step on the throttle. Don't get me started It took me a long time to learn and get used to the left foot braking and right foot on throttle at the same time. To make my brain more confused, my M4 is 6 speed manual. Heel-toe shifting, left foot braking..... when I master them all well, it is so much fun and safe to drive in any track.

[Track/S]

Originally Posted by eugenebmw

Totally agree with the left foot braking. Drive fast and safe on tracks or roads are ways more than just step on the throttle. Don't get me started It took me a long time to learn and get used to the left foot braking and right foot on throttle at the same time. To make my brain more confused, my M4 is 6 speed manual. Heel-toe shifting, left foot braking..... when I master them all well, it is so much fun and safe to drive in any track.

I would like to see you brake with your left foot on a twisty road, on 6MT

[M5Rick]

Might as well top it off with steering and why not.

[eugenebmw]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Might as well top it off with steering and why not.

Talk about hand position on the steering wheel. I saw so many Porsche, Lambo and super cars drivers are holding their steering wheels in 11 and 1 o'clock position. One thing for sure, money doesn't fix stupidity. Stupid is forever

[eugenebmw]

Originally Posted by Track/S

I would like to see you brake with your left foot on a twisty road, on 6MT

You don't really brake, your manual transmission and the skill of using heel toe are your best friend. Believe me, after driving more than 30 years of manual cars, nothing is impossible

[Track/S]

Originally Posted by eugenebmw

You don't really brake, your manual transmission and the skill of using heel toe are your best friend. Believe me, after driving more than 30 years of manual cars, nothing is impossible

I am sure that you will not go faster using your left foot to brake in a 6mt on a twisty road, I would dare to say that you will even be slower.

[jzeiler4]

I was halfway through watching the video when I realized his car had the paddle shifters on the column and NOT on the wheel. Wow.

[eugenebmw]

Originally Posted by Track/S

I am sure that you will not go faster using your left foot to brake in a 6mt on a twisty road, I would dare to say that you will even be slower.

This video clip explain very well the advantage of left foot braking. Weight transfer of the car, how make it smoother, safer, and fasting turning in and out of the corner. And these skills are not new, it has been using for many years in car racing and in formula one.

There is a reason for everything.

[eugenebmw]

Originally Posted by Track/S

I am sure that you will not go faster using your left foot to brake in a 6mt on a twisty road, I would dare to say that you will even be slower.

On our G8x, with the turbo engine, left foot braking also keep the turbo boost pressure up by using the throttle at the same time = less turbo lag= faster overall speed.

As I always say, it is not the car make you fast, it is the driver

[shawnhayes]

Originally Posted by Track/S

I would like to see you brake with your left foot on a twisty road, on 6MT

Anything is possible...

Shawn

[eugenebmw]

Originally Posted by shawnhayes

Anything is possible...

Shawn

This video chip expand everything. If OP still think left foot braking/manual transmission is slow. It is the driver