How to Drive a Race Car on a Banked Track
According to Homedepotracing.com, a "A racetrack's banking refers to the sloping of a racetrack, particularly at a curve or a corner, from the apron to the outside wall." Driving a race car on a banked track is much different than maneuvering on a flat surface. The sloping of the track makes it much more challenging and dangerous and requires the race car driver to be in tune with every detail of his car's driving maneuverability. This will enable him to feel any changes in the track surface and keep his car under control.
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Things You'll Need
- Race car
- Banked track
- Full face helmet
- Fire retardant suit
- Fire retardant gloves
- Fire retardant shoes
- Fire retardant socks
- Fire retardant underwear
- Neck collar or Head and Neck Support device
Instructions
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1
Put on all necessary safety equipment including a full face helmet, fire retardant suit, gloves, shoes, socks, underwear and a neck collar or HANS device.
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2
Fasten yourself securely into car using safety-inspected five-point race car harness and safety belt.
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3
Start the car and move slowly onto the track, accelerating gradually until you get a feel for your car and track conditions. This is especially important for dirt or clay tracks.
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4
Take the car up to race speed once you are comfortable with the conditions. Accelerate hard coming off the turn, keeping the car to the bottom of the banking during the entire turn.
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5
Allow the car to drift toward the top of the track banking in the straightaway.
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6
Start bringing the car back down to the bottom of the track once you have passed the midpoint of the straightaway.
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Take your foot off the accelerator and ensure you have control of the car before you enter the turn. At the apex of the turn, your car should be at the bottom of track, or the lowest racing groove.
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Accelerate hard out of the turn, drifting up toward the top of the banking as you enter the next straightaway.
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Tips & Warnings
Proper setup of the car is important to have a good feel of the car.
Talk to other racers or car builders about what setup is best suited for the track on which you will be racing.
Take care not to spin the tires coming out of the turn or you could lose control of the car.
It is important to be cautious as you round the corner to the straightaway so the back end of the car stays put. If you accelerate too hard, the back end of the car will begin to spin around.
Racing can be dangerous. Always be aware of what is happening in front of you.
Replace personal safety items when worn or damaged.
