Braking Points and how to be Consistent?

[DanDiplo]

One of the hardest things I find is achieving consistent lap times. Inevitably over a 5 lap race I'll put in 4 good laps and then screw-up on one, often resulting in spinning out or a barrier smash that loses me a few positions. One of the hardest things I find is knowing the correct time to brake, especially at high speed.

So my question is: How do you judge when to brake? Is it a matter of pure instinct or do you use visual cues to tell you? Do you look for indicators on the track or on the side, or do you just "feel" it?

 

[Counter_Z23]

Some tracks have signs on the side which mark braking distances.

You can also use the suggested gear indicator, when it flashes, you should start to prepare.

 

[klondike]

I look for indicators on the track, side, or sometimes a shadow it could be anything as long as it works for me.

 

[Scotracer]

Yeah, to be consistent you can never rely on 'instinct' alone - you really need visual cues. Most of the time for me these will be the braking markers on the track given I drive different cars a lot of the time so I only have time to be roughly accurate.

 

[RikkiGT-R]

Good question 👍

On tracks I don't know I will use the gear indicator as well as trackside markers. For instance, the first chicane at Monza - there are white sign posts along the left hand side of the track. Depending on the car you are driving (and the speed you are going) it'll be the first or second sign that you should start to brake at. I think those sign posts are positioned all alongside the chicanes of Monza.

For tracks I know like the back of my hand (Nurburgring, for instance) I just know when to break. I probably do use visual clues subconsciously, but it feels more instinctive than anything else.

 

[No46_TheDoctor]

Instinct will see you good for maybe a couple of laps, after that it's very easy to loose concentration and miss a breaking point.

Using braking markers helps keep your mind focused on driving, if on each lap you give your brain something to do coming up to corners, (looking out for braking markers), you will be able to keep your concentration levels higher for longer, meaning less mistakes, more consistent lap times, etc, etc.

So there is more to it than simply achieveing consistency, thats more of a by product to acheiving higher levels of concentration.

 

[desmosabie]

Sometimes indicator is wrong, too low by one gear, better safe than sorry till I learn to ignore for that turn. I bounce back an forth from using gear indicator to signs, depends on where I am. Watch up high on fence, you see distance markers there too. whatever reference point is the same every time, street sign, flag, tree, whatever. finding the best marker is the trick. Using same marker for different cars means maybe brake just before marker, at marker, or just after marker.

 

[RikkiGT-R]

Sometimes indicator is wrong, too low by one gear

I only use the gear indicator to remind me when to break, and not which gear to be in.

 

[thedeester1]

I use Visuals where ever possible. Daytona road couse is a nightmare for me. There are very few visual markers on there. I use anything from the obvious distance markers to bridges, old rubber on the tarmac. Breaks or changes in tarmac. Lines on or at the side of the road and kerbs. Even on one track when the advertising hoarding thats wizzing past changes to the yellow advert. Often its not a case of brake at that marker but just after I pass "marker". To drive faster laps I leave the braking later. If Im on a steady lap ill brake at the marker.

 

[WRECKU]

The key is rhythm and total concentration along with practice, practice and more practice till you have all the visual references to braking zones. A thing of beauty when it all comes together in consistent lap times.
My big thing is loosing concentration and confidence at high speed.

 

[BobaFett]

Good question 👍

On tracks I don't know I will use the gear indicator as well as trackside markers. For instance, the first chicane at Monza - there are white sign posts along the left hand side of the track. Depending on the car you are driving (and the speed you are going) it'll be the first or second sign that you should start to brake at. I think those sign posts are positioned all alongside the chicanes of Monza.

For tracks I know like the back of my hand (Nurburgring, for instance) I just know when to break. I probably do use visual clues subconsciously, but it feels more instinctive than anything else.

I just can sign this.
On tracks like Monza or la sarthe i use the signs next to the track. But I have to drive the track with each car once to know exactly where to brake, because each car has a different speed and brakes so you have to brake earlier or later depending on the car.
On the Nordschleife i kinda feel when to brake, sounds ridicoulus but it works. I also turn off the HUD because i do not want to be dependant on the Gear indicator

 

[DanDiplo]

Thanks for all the advice. Never thought of using the gear indicator as a reference - good idea. I think I will practice the tracks more and make a mental note of visual cues that will help. I guess, as people say, it's a mixture of practice and concentration.

 

[Highlandor]

I look for indicators on the track, side, or sometimes a shadow it could be anything as long as it works for me.

Definately, use whatever you can, whether it's an actual braking marker, shadow, tunnel, sign, kerb - whatever.

As you are learning a track keep looking for visual clues you personally remember or find easy to see.

Some tracks like the Nurburgring this is alot harder, so you have to move up a level and start remembering what gear you are in (or what RPM's), what speed you are doing or the sound of the exhaust and brake accordingly.

The more you practice the more it comes naturally.

👍

 

[grossmind]

Always use visual marks, find something on the track as indicator if you want to be consistent.

 

[mirial]

When coming down the straight, Schuey once said he aimed for the very last lock-up mark, and in my opinion tyre marks are much better than track markers because they are much more in your peripheral vision.

 

[Vesartis]

I use Visuals where ever possible. Daytona road couse is a nightmare for me. There are very few visual markers on there. I use anything from the obvious distance markers to bridges, old rubber on the tarmac. Breaks or changes in tarmac. Lines on or at the side of the road and kerbs. Even on one track when the advertising hoarding thats wizzing past changes to the yellow advert. Often its not a case of brake at that marker but just after I pass "marker". To drive faster laps I leave the braking later. If Im on a steady lap ill brake at the marker.

For tracks where there aren't good markers the things I immediately look at is turn marks on the road. There are heavy tire marks in heavy braking places. So when I see the tire mark get dark, I slow down and brake.

 

[DaSixSixOne]

Always use visual marks, find something on the track as indicator if you want to be consistent.

I always use visual marks, anything from curbing, signs, trees, changes in pavement and shadows (only on tracks with no time change).

In addition to braking points, I also scope out turn in points, the apex and the point in the turn where I want to be back at full throttle again. Your entry speed will vary if you weren't perfect on the prior turn so your braking points will move. Having the other points I mention help when trying to recover and not lose even more time on your next turn.

I think most importantly, it's about being completely aware of where you are on the track at all times using visual clues that you've programmed into your head. Even a few inches can make a difference.

Hope this helps!

 

[hyyperactive]

I think there are few things that can make finding and developing braking points a lot easier. When you are doing your first lap on the track try to brake earily and take note where you braked. That's your braking marker now. Also make mental note how the corner went (should you brake earlier or later next lap). Use that information on next lap.

The idea is to have something usable information about the track as soon as possible so that on your 2nd lap you already have some base to build on. That's why you should have a brake marker as soon as possible. Do not do 20 laps on the track trying to lay down that magic lap just by going by feeling.

Of course there are corners where just braking marker isn't enough as the line through the corner may be more complex one. And if it is your first lap ever on that track it will take a while to learn where the corners go. Still, trying to have braking markers as soon as possible will make you learn the track quicker.

Also when trying to improve your laptimes do not try to improve too much at a time. Do not try to brake 100m later than last time even if you feel there is more time in that corner. Smaller steps guarantee bigger gains and your consistancy improves everytime you finish a lap without crashing. And remember that you can only gain relatively little time by braking really late. Focus on corner exits and use braking markers that allow you to consistantly exit the corners quickest.

Personally I've found that simply being as systematic as possible makes me memorise the tracks fastest and also make me do fewest mistakes. Crashing out means you are losing track time which will hurt you in many ways.

 

[Chronoslol]

I too use visual queues to know when to brake. On a track like monza for example its very easy because of the little signs with the meters until the corner marked on them. I use the first lap when learning a car on the track to work out which number to brake near, and then try and perfect it. Although now that I think about it I don't conciously do anything like that when driving on the nurburgring... I'm not precisely sure what I do on the nurburgring, I suppose I know the track so well it's instinct or something.