Driving on track carries real risk. To help reduce risk, I recommend starting out slow with an instructor; learn the correct driver’s line and a basic understanding of strategies on what to do if problems develop on track.
If you ever have an opportunity to walk the track you drive, I definitely recommend you do this. I wanted to share a few observations I have made from the Sebring International Raceway track in Sebring, Florida with the more familiar Road America track in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. There are very few similarities between these two tracks. These tracks provide completely different driver experiences and both are tremendously fun! The track walk can help drivers get a better understanding of the track and help make driving more predictable, safer and more fun.
Walking the track allows drivers to better understand the track and the adjacent runoff areas. The driver can learn from a track walk areas that allow safe drive off in situations where a turn cannot be safely made or where there is track blockage such as an on track incident.
Walking these tracks helps better understand the various undulations of the driving surfaces. It allows drivers to better understand where “turn in”, “apex” and “track out” points are located and more specifically; the local conditions at these points. Drivers develop a better understanding of the importance of how and where to position the car at these points in dry and wet (rain line) conditions. For those that drive on track, the track walk helps develop an appreciation for off camber areas, surface conditions and help understand the “line” and the reason for the need to vary from the “driving line” at various speeds, in passing and under different weather conditions (hot, cold, rain or snow).
Road America has dramatic elevation changes and Sebring is virtually flat. Road America has many visual points of reference to help the driver “lift their vision” where Sebring has very few visual reference points off the track. Road America is very smooth and has repaved surfaces with grippier asphalt products at various turns. Sebring is a track derived from a concrete airfield. Very few changes have been implemented at Sebring and there is tremendous resistance to make changes from this “tradition”. There are cracks in the concrete with dropped and elevated concrete sections making the track very bumpy. Walking this track helps drivers to better understand areas to avoid that will unsettle the car at speed. Drivers quickly learn there are locations to “use the entire track” and locations to avoid track defects that could unsettle the car creating avoidable risks.
The specific turn by turn driver’s line will not be discussed for either Road America or Sebring International Raceway in this article, however; future articles are encouraged. I have provided a small set of photos from my recent track walk at Sebring International Raceway.
I encourage drivers to walk the track for many reasons, especially for improved driving safety and enjoyment.
