About the Course
The physical layout of a typical car control clinic event will depend upon the facility. Our previous events were held at Southwest International Raceway (SIR), in Tucson, AZ, in the parking lot of the drag strip. For such a clinic, we provide three different "stations" that run simultaneously during the morning sessions. No timing is done for these exercises. The stations are laid out such that there is no close association between the stations and the possibility of a collision is avoided. The entrants are split into three groups, each group is assigned to a station for an hour. During the course of that hour, each student will drive the exercise multiple times. Each student is accompanied by an instructor for each pass through the exercise. Multiple instructors are available at each station so the students have different instructors throughout the session. We usually have 8-10 students per exercise so there is a car on track, almost continuously, on each course. This means that all of the students get a lot of track time and that is essential to our teaching efforts. At the end of each hour each group moves to an adjacent station and begins a different exercise. The morning sessions are concluded when all students have completed the exercises on each of the three stations. This arrangement also allows drivers sharing a car to have the full experience. We consider that a student spinning their car during any exercise is a bonus and quickly point out that no harm was done. Instructors follow up with questions about why the spin occurred and ask what could be done to avoid the situation. This also provides an opportunity for the instructor to praise or comment on car control efforts used by the student and to teach these techniques when found lacking.
The Morning Session
Station 1
The first station consists of two adjacent circles or skid pads, one somewhat larger than the other. Initially the goal on the larger circle is to bring the car to a steady speed that will allow the car to circle at a set distance (about 6-10 feet) from the cones defining the circle. Then the student is instructed to increase the speed in small increments until the car tries to deviate from the previously set distance. The new goal is to modulate the throttle setting, without changing the steering angle, to maintain the set distance at a speed that is at the traction limit. In other words, students learn to throttle steer the car. This exercise allows the student to begin to understand weight transfer and its effect on cornering. When this skill has been mastered, the students are instructed to deviate from the single circle and begin navigating both circles in a figure eight. This requires modulating the throttle around two distinct settings, each ideal for the two different sized circles. The figure-eight exercise allows the students to gain an understanding of the need for smooth throttle and brake application while maintaining smooth and steady steering inputs.
Station 2
The second station is a mini autocross track consisting of several different corner types. All are common elements found in an autocross. Those include a sweeping turn, a slalom section, pointer cones, gates and start and stop boxes. Again, each student is accompanied by an instructor and the instructors rotate. The goal at this station is to incorporate acceleration, steering and braking smoothness and to begin to discuss the strategy of the different sections of the course. This exercise runs continuously, but the instructor has time before and after each run to discuss the goals and successes that the student achieves. The course is short enough that it is relatively easy to memorize. Each section of the course is different enough to help in identifying the required approach and speed
Station 3
The third station consists of two, nearly parallel sections. Each has a straight, a relatively sharp curve and another straight. The two sections differ by the placement of a longer and shorter straight. Both sections are used, one after the other, moving clockwise around the exercises. Students are accompanied by an instructor on each pass through the exercise. There are two slightly different goals for this exercise. The first is to accelerate hard down the long straight, and find the correct braking point, in the middle of the corner, for the subsequent stopping point. The goal in the second section is to accelerate down the short straight, continue accelerating through the corner and down the long straight, then judge the braking point and stop at the appropriate point. Sounds simple but a lot of confidence and appreciation of the braking ability of a car is gained in this exercise.
The Afternoon Session