Braking

[stealthwolf]

Having barely gotten used to accelerating into triple figures, I want to ask about braking.

When slowing down at high-speed driving, is it better to just keep pressing the brake pedal firmly, or in bursts? Am just wary of overheating the brakes.

I know that braking and turning at the same time is a Neddy-no-no but sometimes I've misjudged a corner, come round it too fast and understeered into the next lane. Other than being better prepared for the next time I negotiate that corner, is there anything else I can do to improve the situation?

[AlanD]

If you need to slow down ASAP then hitting the ancors is the best way to get shoot of your speed rather than pumping. The ABS on our cars is stella and you will have "some" degree of stearing control while you sh!t your pants. Really you need know what bend your coming up to and know what sort of speed you should be doing otherwise it will end in tears one day (im not telling you how to drive, just a little worried that you mentioned you ended up in the other lane).

Whilst im in "all knowing father mode" to counter act understear you need to correct the stearing wheel towards the outside of the corner (opposite way you want to go) to allow the wheels to get grip, you feel it bite and then stear back into the corner. Its the most un-natural thing to do but might just save your beans one day. Sorry if im teaching you to suck eggs.

[Hurdy]

I always use a smooth progressive press of the pedal and when beating on and make sure I have plenty of stopping space between corners. Yes, you're right, always complete your braking before entering a corner. If you get to the point where you are overheating your brakes - you are going too fast

The fastest way around a corner (i was told and it's true) is slow in fast out

Late braking isn't a good technique, especially on public highways as if you get it wrong - you're fcuked very quickly and there are no reset buttons or run-off gravel traps to save you

Like RR says:-
Fast, fun SAFE journeys

[stealthwolf]

you need know what bend your coming up to and know what sort of speed you should be doing otherwise it will end in tears one day (im not telling you how to drive, just a little worried that you mentioned you ended up in the other lane).

At bend 1, there's still two lanes for traffic heading for the single carriageway and they merge a little after bend 2. Traffic in the opposite direction have to go all the way round.



I've driven up and down this road for the past three months. In the old car, I'd go no faster than 25mph throughout. In the GTI I feel I can go faster and indeed at Bend 1 I can take it at 30mph and still be fine. Still accelerating, I'll go through this bend at 50mph (this being part of the 50mpg single carriageway).

A coupla days ago, I decided to take the first bend at a higher speed. I was in the left lane of the two lanes that enter this bend. I was going too fast for the corner, realised a little too late, and braked and turned, understeering into the next lane (also for traffic going in my direction).

I've learnt now that I can't take Bend 1 at anything above 35mph (in the GTI) but I didn't know this at the time. Just wondering what I should have done.

[AlanD]

Other than slowing down more before you come into the bend and correcting the understear as said above I cant think of anything else you could / can do . . . .

Buy an R32 ?

[Hurdy]

I've learnt now that I can't take Bend 1 at anything above 35mph (in the GTI) but I didn't know this at the time. Just wondering what I should have done.

Uprated suspension and brakes

Maybe a Quaife diff too

[RedRobin]

....

Hi stealthwolf - You sound as if you are experiencing exactly what I did when I first had my GTI - "Wow! She holds the road well but where's the limit?". My solution was to do a CarLimits day course (4 of us to the 1 instructor Andy Walsh) on North Weald airfield. You spend the day being taught and exploring the limits with nothing to crash into (just serious tyre wear and 11 mpg). Afterwards you can better recognise your car's limits and can stay away from that edge, or at least recognise the signs.

Braking can destabilise a car so it's always best to do your braking while the car is travelling in a straight line....Slow in and fast out is the golden rule. Start practicing that and you'll be amazed how quickly that car trying to keep up with you just disappears in your rear view mirror if you throw in a roundabout or two - Unless of course it's another driver who knows what they are doing.

Dare I add that the Quaife can make a heck of a difference in how soon you can accelerate out of a bend (subject to conditions).

The way ABS works is such that you shouldn't pump your brakes but apply them progressively. The trouble with serious braking power like Hurdy's and mine is that it can get embarrassing to come to an almost dead halt with still another 30 ft of space before the roundabout!! You also need to be very aware of those following behind you who use your braking lights to tell them when they should brake.....Too late for them!

Stability is a key factor - Hence why I have spent money on brakes and suspension and they need to match the power of a remap (ideally and in my opinion).

[stealthwolf]

Slow in and fast out is the golden rule.

I've been doing this - slowing down before a corner and then accelerating through the corner. The car feels *so* planted.

My solution was to do a CarLimits day course (4 of us to the 1 instructor Andy Walsh) on North Weald airfield. You spend the day being taught and exploring the limits with nothing to crash into (just serious tyre wear and 11 mpg). Afterwards you can better recognise your car's limits and can stay away from that edge, or at least recognise the signs.

How much was it? And did you have to arrange for a party of four or did they just book any four people at a time?


As for mods, no mods for a minimum of another ten months!

[RedRobin]

....

Here's a link to CarLimits : - http://www.carlimits.com/script/viewEvents.php?type=airfieldtraining&month=20070101 - £140 when I did it but now £180?

We happened to get 4 of us all in Mk5 GTI's from the Tyresmoke forum, but usually it's whoever books in their own car. 4-person training is the best balance of price and attention. Andy is very easy going and you don't feel pressurised.

[Greenouse]

Stealth, I take it all this proggresive driving is in the safety of your own private road or a race circuit