




Basic Tips in Sports Car Racing

Sports car racing strategy is typical of other car racing techniques.  Below are seven fundamental steps to keep in mind when joining a car race:

Engine Start – prepare the engine by lifting the start switch latch that is usually located at the driver’s side.  The engine should be in operation once the announcer has started the countdown.  Lightly step on the accelerator and feel the engine running.  Another way of making sure that the engine is ready is by looking at the tachometer - it changes and moves from zero once the switch has been started. 

Throttle – racing a sports car means 750 to 850 horsepower.  Imagine the feeling behind that little wheel; it’s the breathtaking feel of total power.  The secret for continuous power is for the car to have enough gas to rev up the whole machine.  Fishtailing could be one of the problems when racing and to keep this from happening use a little effort to control the accelerator.

Engine Transmission – an automatic transmission sports car allows the system to automatically set the clutch.  This is for amateur sports car racers so that they do not have to change gears manually.  The sports car will be smart enough to operate the transmission for the driver.  The traditional H symbol is used for manual transmission sports car.

Walls – during the race, it is unavoidable to bump the sidewalls.  This is not a cause for alarm.  The sports car driver just has to shift the gear into reverse to move away from the wall.  Sooner or later the car should be back on track.  
            
Comfy on the Track – always stay beneath the white line of the lane while at 100 miles per hour.  This is so the driver can keep the other cars from turning into the back end of the sports car.  Once the speed of other cars is met, tag along back on the track.

Presence of Mind – stay focused and keep both hands on the steering wheel.  Steer the wheel at a slow but sure pace, do not exaggerate the turn.

Halt during Emergency – part of keeping focused is always remembering that there is an emergency button in every sports car when there is a need to stop.  It is situated in the center of the dash and is used when the car needs a motion stop.  This button immediately stops the car stimulator.  

Bear in mind that even in this situation, the sports car can still be driven until the end of the race.  Be alert and try mastering the race track if time permits, but always think of safety.

            

 

 

 
Cleofi-Krista P. Capili
MAS Consultant Support Specialist
AOL Member Services, PI

