Took 2 years to realize I was driving the wrong line at Thunderhill

I been tracking my 2015 Focus ST at Thunderhill for two years, always wondering why my lap times were stuck at 2:06. Last month a guy in a beat up Miata pulled up next to me and asked if I knew about the brake marker by the big oak tree. Turns out I was braking 40 feet too early at turn 3 every single time. I dropped to 2:01 the very next session. Anyone else have a moment where one simple tip from a stranger changed your whole driving?

2 comments

2 Comments

pat78113d ago

Used to be one of those guys who thought track experience was all about raw talent and seat time, not realizing how many bad habits you can bake in for years. Got the same wakeup call when a Spec Miata guy told me I was turning in way too early at turn 9, and suddenly my whole line clicked after a decade of fighting the car. Shame it took a total stranger to fix what I thought I had figured out on my own.

gavin36513d ago

Strangers really do say the best stuff lol. That Spec Miata guy probably saved you years of frustration with one sentence. Happens all the time at track days too, some dude in a beat up civic points out your braking point is off by a car length and suddenly you're two seconds faster lmao. Ego is the real enemy out there.