14
Driving Techniques for Cars with an RPE Engine
Paddle shift cars:
•
The clutch is sharp, and needs to be let out slowly whilst the car is
stationary.
•
To pull away, engage 1
st
gear, with the clutch fully depressed, raise the
revs to 2500 rpm, and slowly release the clutch.
•
When the car is moving slowly, it is advisable to use the clutch on the
way up and down the gearbox, and when changing up and down from 1
st
to 2
nd
at speed. However whilst on track, at racing speed the clutch is not
needed, and you can keep the throttle open on up changes.
•
Optimum revs to change up gears are between 9,500 and 10,000 rpm, as
this is where the engine reaches its peak performance.
•
To change down you should wait until the revs have dropped to around
7,000rpm.
•
The slick tyres on the car, the brakes and the engine will take a few laps
to warm up. Grip is greatly reduced on cold tyres, so it is important to
take this into consideration, and slowly build up your pace.
•
The cars are at their best when driven smoothly, so gradual application of
throttle, brakes and steering is best.
•
Throttle and brakes must be applied separately, never together.
•
All braking, wherever possible, should be done in a straight line along
with down changes. If excessive brake pressure is applied whilst
increasing steering lock this will unsettle the car and possibly cause the
car to spin.
•
The car should be in a straight as possible position before the throttle is
applied, with minimal steering lock on. If excessive steering lock is on
whilst applying throttle, this will unsettle the car and possibly cause the
car to spin.
•
It is important not to change gear while experiencing wheel spin,
especially in the lower gears.
Cars on stick shift:
•
All of the above applies, apart from the gear change technique.
•
To change up and down the gears at low revs the clutch must be used.
•
To change up the gears at racing pace, use of the clutch is not necessary,
but can be used if preferred. To change up the gears, you need to lift off
the throttle, and pull back on the gearstick to engage the next gear. You
can then let go of the gearstick and it will return back to its central
position
To change down the gears whilst applying the brakes, you need to depress
the clutch and push the gearstick forwards to engage a lower gear. As the
gear is engaged you can release the clutch and let go of the gearstick, which
will return to its central position. To come down multiple gears just repeat
this process, making sure the clutch is depressed for each down change.
Should the car spin
Due to the design of a motorcycle engine, if it is forced to turn over
backwards the starter system can become damaged. It is important therefore
that if the car is in a spin situation, the clutch is depressed as a matter of
urgency, to reduce the risk of damaging the engine starter system.
