When you are in a high-speed corner, you may need to be braking lighter. The reason why you want to brake lighter is to avoid over-slowing the corner entry. You don’t want to brake later and harder to bring in more entry speed, because you don’t want more weight to go into the front end.
In a high-speed corner, we are always a little worried about the rear end stepping out on us. So by braking lighter, you transition less weight on the front end and you keep the platform of the car more neutral. This way you keep the weight of the car more in the middle, the car is flatter, and you have a little bit more rear grip. This will give you the confidence to roll into the high-speed corner.
In a recent coaching session. Blayze pro racer Dion von Moltke walks one of his athletes through the process of braking lighter. Take a look at the quick video below to see how Dion explains braking lighter with his athlete driver.
So, What is Braking Light?
Braking light is applying the brakes with less pressure than usual. Faster lap times on the track come from strategic brake usage, not necessarily more use of the gas pedal. Braking light is a strategy race car drivers can use to gently ease on the brakes to maintain momentum and control when entering a corner.
To really learn this technique, go through Blayze’s Braking Masterclass for Racecar Drivers. This guide will take you through various corners on different racetracks to understand the “light brush and ease off” technique. Which is braking light!
A key area where professional racecar drivers separate themselves from top level amateur drivers is in their ability to brake light. We observe the amateurs “light” brake pressure can often be double that of a pro’s! One thing a driver can do to improve their ability to brake light is ensure their core is engaged when going to the brakes. Our core muscles give our foot and leg more control.
Physics of the Race Car
When you apply the brakes, the car’s weight shifts forward due to inertia, causing the front tires to take on more load and thereby increasing their grip. However, the rear tires then bear less weight, reducing grip. This can result in instability when cornering.
When you brake light, you help to mitigate the possibility of rear instability. By applying the brakes gently, the weight transfer is smoother, maintaining a more balanced distribution of grip between the front and rear tires. With balanced grip, you can maintain control over your car’s trajectory, especially through high-speed corners.
Learn More With Blayze!
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Learn one-on-one with the best racing coaches on the planet with Blayze! Become a Blayze member today and start working with your selected coach for just $29 for your first 30 days. Check it out here.
