POOR DRIVING POSITION. Check to see that fully depressing the clutch pedal doesn't require maximum leg extension. Check to see that reaching the steering wheel still leaves a slight bend at the elbow. Check the seat belt and helmet strap.
POOR HAND POSITION. Depending on exact steering wheel design, probably about "9 and 3 o'clock." Failure to maintain this hand position once on the track: "crossing over" when making turns and not returning to the steering wheel after shifting.
ABRUPT USE OF CONTROLS: Steering, brake and throttle. Smoothness is a basic skill/minimum requirement.
INDECISIVE USE OF CONTROLS:
Getting on and off the throttle unnecessarily
Pumping the brakes," lack of effective, consistent brakes.
FAILURE TO USE ALL OF THE TRACK to get biggest (fastest) radius.
"CREEPING IN" from the edge of the track near turn-in point.
EARLY APEXING Early turn-in caused by too much pressure/over-driving. ---failure to recognize the "acuteness" of the corner (angle.)
"DROPPED" CLUTCH AFTER TURN-IN POINT. Too late with all the decisions, putting this one after the turn-in instead of before! Big spin risk if the car's near the actual limit.
SHIFTING GEARS WHILE IN A CORNER, unnecessary/risky.
"LATE" TURN-IN. Usually caused by failure to recognize that the turn is (probably) less than 90 degrees. Spin risk as student tries to wrestle the car to the proper apex (anyway.)
BRAKING TOO LATE. Problem is at its worst when consequences are at maximum! Largest errors are made when the difference between straight-away speed and cornering speed is large. Students tend to enter slow turns too fast (and fast turns too slow.)
FAILURE TO BUILD BRAKING (PRESSURE) SMOOTHLY ENOUGH to prevent "locking" of tires. If the fronts lock first, the student will lose steering control. If the rears lock first, there will be immediate directional stability problems.
POOR USE OF RPM's. Failure to use tachometer to shift neither early or late, missing up or downshifts completely.
FAILURE TO "BALANCE" THE CAR AT THE (TURN) ENTRANCE:
Over "rotation" of the car with too much trail-braking and/ or sudden and jerky steering motions. (Oversteer.)
Throttle too soon, no rotation, front "push." (Understeer.)
TRAILING-THROTTLE OVERSTEER
"Dropping" the throttle abruptly when in the corner. This is an all-to-typical reaction to the mid-corner realization of having made an error. Solution: the idea of "temporarily taking a slightly larger radius." Suggest to: momentarily steer "out" with a steady throttle.
POWER OVERSTEER. Too much power applied, too abruptly, with car already near critical grip limits. (rear wheel drive)
FAILURE TO RECOGNIZE MISTAKES. Failure to accept the necessity for full concentration and discipline. Symptom: inconsistency.
FAILURE TO ANTICIPATE/AND ADJUST as speed changes require.
PREMATURE EMPHASIS ON LAP TIMES. Failure to realize/accept that nobody starts "on top" or gets there easily.
FAILURE TO DO MINIMUM CAR PREPARATION. Basic vehicle safety demands appropriate tires, suspension and brake pads/brake fluid for the intended usage. Significant re-checking at track (i.e. tire pressure, fluid level and brake pad wear) is necessary to ensure your vehicle is ready for the rigors of track use. We highly recommend a pre-DE mechanical inspection by a qualified mechanic. This can help to enhance your day be ensuring your car is in good condition.
We hope these pointers haven't overwhelmed or confused you. It is important that you realize that it's the laws of physics that determine what your car can and can't do; if you try to break those laws, you'll get caught every time, and the penalty you pay can be very high.
REMEMBER, SMOOTHNESS, CONSISTENCY, CONCENTRATION AND MOST IMPORTANTLY--HAVE FUN.
