How To Survive Your First Race?
One can probably feel the power just by imagining it. The extreme speed, the rush of adrenaline, the intense feeling of controlling a mad racing car on hot tracks, is certainly one great experience every racer feels on the field. For all the seasoned racers, they will definitely agree that it is one of the best feelings in the world, but for those who aren’t, do they agree as well? Lots of beginners in the world of racing fail to acknowledge this wonderful feeling because they are overcome with fear. Who could blame them? After all, racing is certainly not the safest sport in the world. Many back down and end up failing their dream of racing before they could even buy their racing car. Although this is true, some beginners are not easily swayed by thoughts of fear. However, these rookies are left confused and are unable to move on because they really don’t know when and how to even begin. Racing is an awesome sport to take. If one is really interested in the sport, take a look at this great guide on how to survive your first race:
Photo source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto_racing
Enroll yourself and get schooled
Before jumping in a car and racing yourself towards your demise, be realistic in measuring your skills. Owning a racing car, a driver’s license and a self-proclaimed talent for drifting a car doesn’t make a racer ready. Of course, racing needs talent, but even if you are bubbling with talent, not learning the basic skills will definitely give you injuries and bills to pay. Nothing beats a great training adviser to tell you on what to exactly do on the tracks. Getting schooled versus not is a greater option to take. This will certainly save you in the long run. Your skills as a racer must be mastered, so where do exactly you learn that? Just prepare your wallet to get beaten, though, it’s quite pricey.
Practice on a race track
Never allow yourself to ruin your first ever race just because you did not practice on a legit racing track before the big event. Practicing on the road is never a safe place to drive. It is not built for racing, so don’t make a risk. You can find lots of racing tracks that are open in public for you to practice.
Check before you race
It is always advisable to perform checks for safety measures. Whether it is your first race for practice, or whether it is your first race in a tournament, never forget to search for possible problems in your engine, oil, tires, steering wheel, brakes, and all possible areas in the car. If you are doubtful of your skills in checking the state of your car, a mechanic will certainly help you in determining problems.
Follow the rules
Rules are rules and it must all be followed without question. We are all aware of how dangerous racing is, so one must not even think about breaking a single one. In a racing event, all racers are given the time to know the rules of the tournament, it is best that every starter should always stick to the rules to prevent creating huge damage in the field. Although some basic rules are taught in the racing schools, no one can avoid a few additions in the policy, so keep a keen mind and follow orders.
Get to know the track
In every race, the environment always changes. Like the racing cars, tracks also vary. Before you drive, get to know the track first. This is an important step if you don’t want to get surprised during the tournament. Some tracks will be unexpected, so it is always advisable to take a few rounds on the event’s racing track. When you explore the track, be mindful of how the road feels, the turns you take, the bumps on the surface, and anything that you think is helpful. For more details, you can even walk on the track to make you see and feel it more strongly. Also, if possible, take a pad and a pen with you; you can strategically sketch out important points in the tracks to help you out during the race. Truly, you will appreciate this tip once you get started.
Photo source: http://dandelionmoms.com/2013/05/culture-alex-gurney-talks-race-car-driving/
Be mindful of the curbs
The curbs in the track are a tricky obstacle in a race. Curbs can certainly lead you to your downfall. As a starter, one must practice with an expert driver when it comes to dealing with the curbs. With an expert with you, he can teach you on how to catch the right timing in every turn you take. Of course, turning for a curb varies depending on the events that would occur in the race, but practicing beforehand will give you a sense of familiarity that would greatly help.
Steering the wheel
Did you know that a proper way is followed when holding the wheel? When you are maneuvering the steering wheel, make sure to place your hands on a 3:00 and 9:00 o’clock format. For best performance, you should learn to hold the wheel in this angle, for this will give you great reaction time when driving and summons a nice posture during the strong ride.
Breaks are crucial
Knowing when and how to break is an important element in racing. With just a slight mistake in your calculation, you can end up hitting the wall. Just bear in mind that breaking does not mean intensely slamming your foot that it leaves you spinning wildly on the field. Breaking means knowing when to exactly slam your foot. How do you exactly do this then? The best way to successfully break is to keep practicing on the event’s track and to master timing in calculating the exact moment on when to hit the pedal on the floor. An expert on the racing tracks can tell you when and where to accurately hit the breaking spots.
Be aware of passing
There are instances in which other racers will drive rapidly towards you. If this happens, be sure to make a signal. Creating and sticking to your signal is the best way to stay out of trouble. As long as both parties are having a clear understanding and communication, the danger of hitting together is lessened. To make a signal, extend your arms out of the window and clearly point towards the direction in which you would want him to go. Once the signal is done, be sure to stay put and never even think about changing lanes. Also, as a beginner, try not to pass at other racers. Do this when you are already confident enough to maneuver your wheels.
Flags
Learn your flags and their colors. Although most of these flags are generally followed in every tournament around the world, some are changed depending on the area of the event. Nevertheless, just learn the basic flags in your local racing area. This is an essential factor in racing because it gives out signals to the racers. Without these flags, racing would be a disaster.
Cool-down is a must
You don’t want to melt your brakes after all that intense driving right? Of course, you do, buying another car parts will not make your wallet happy. The Cool-down phase is followed so that your engine will release off all that heat. Make sure to drive slowly on the tracks. This is not a race anymore, so don’t even worry about losing.
