5 Best Advice I Received When I Started Driving Sports Cars
Starting a journey in the world of sports cars can be exhilarating yet challenging. This article gathers valuable insights from seasoned experts to help newcomers navigate the essentials of driving high-performance vehicles. From mastering smoothness on the track to building strong fundamentals, these tips are designed to elevate driving skills and ensure safety.
- Prioritize Smoothness on the Track
- Respect the Car's Power
- Anticipate Other Drivers
- Control the Car Under Pressure
- Build Strong Fundamentals
Prioritize Smoothness on the Track
Early instructors at track days demonstrated the need to be fast AND smooth, every second of a timed lap on the track, which included late braking and when to maximize acceleration. You never coasted, you were always on the brakes or accelerator. They also helped with walking the track, understanding the best lines and grip levels at different spots and developing a plan, driving that plan, honest self-analysis each lap and what you’d do better on the next one. This was all crucial to going faster.
The second part was the need to practice, practice and more practice. I learned those quicker than me didn’t just have some God-given ability to go faster, they’d coupled any innate talents they had with hours, weeks and years of determined and thoughtful practice.
Respect the Car's Power
The best advice I got was: "Respect the power." It's easy to get overconfident in a fast car, but pushing limits without skill can end badly. That advice stuck with me. Over time, I've learned to build up experience gradually, improve my handling skills, and understand a car's limits before going all out. It's made me a better, safer driver and helped me truly appreciate what a sports car can do.
Anticipate Other Drivers
I took a defensive driver course, and it was eye-opening. The biggest takeaway was learning to anticipate other drivers' actions and adjust my behavior to avoid potential hazards. For example, I now maintain better following distances and scan intersections more carefully, which has helped me avoid close calls. Beyond improving driving habits, the course also lowered my car insurance premiums-a practical bonus. It made me more confident and less reactive behind the wheel, which is especially valuable during busy work commutes or unexpected situations. The skills are something you apply every day without realizing how much safer they make you.
Control the Car Under Pressure
My best recommendation when starting to drive sports cars was to "Respect the power but don't be afraid of it."
Sports cars are quick to react and fun to drive but also unforgiving if one gets too confident too early. Early on, I discovered that smooth inputs to the gas pedal, the brakes, and the steering make the difference. Flooring the gas during a turn or slamming the brakes during a turn is a great way to end up losing control.
This advice has worked well for me through the years to speed more safely. I learned to listen to the vehicle, to trust the limits, and to control it under pressure. Whether racing on the track or cruising on the highways, having respect for the capability of the vehicle keeps one safe and makes the ride infinitely more enjoyable.
Build Strong Fundamentals
In my early career, I focused too much on speed rather than strategy, pushing too hard without considering the bigger picture. This often led to mistakes that set me back.
My advice to aspiring racers would be to focus on building strong fundamentals and staying patient. Speed alone isn't enough; understanding the track, pacing yourself, and staying composed during tough moments are key to long-term success. Balance ambition with preparation, and you'll go farther.
