In the book "Speed Secrets 6"...

[michael lang]

Ross Bentley is discussing braking and braking techniques to help get the car to turn. He talks about loading up the front end and using the brakes to get the rear end of the car to rotate around and sort of make the turn a miniture straight away.  As I'm reading this I'm thinking of the session I went out with my instructor at this past DE and he was doing the exact same thing going into T6. We would accel hard coming out of T5, probably 10-15 ft before entry into T6 he would brake hard with the slightest steering input and like magic, the rear end seemed to lift up and swing around. I completely understood what he was doing, being so green to this I just didn't understand the whole sequence of events as they were happening. So to help me understand a little better I am turning to you guys for guidance. What other situations would you guys use the brake to help the car turn? I know the obvious would be to avoid a collision but for the sake of argument let's stay focused on momentum maintenance.  

[bobt993]

Mike, 

Assuming Summit Point as your example:  T5-T6 includes a short straight to a hard right turn.  Car rotation in a tight radius turns is key.  Trailbraking is the best way to accomplish this.  As  turns "open up" car balance requires less rotation and more stability such as T10 at the Glen.  T1 at Summit has the same approach as T6.  It is possible to get to the apex more quickly with early turn-in and trailbraking to the apex (this is what pro drivers do).  The car will be very much on the edge and want to unwind as soon as possible.  Key to avoiding spinning is anticipating the limit and staying ahead of the car rotation with power.   If you watch alot of pro wheel to wheel racing, you may notice most of the spins and cars issues are before or at the apex.  Alot of the times they recover and only lose track position.  Contrary, look at DE accidents, most are past the apex to the inside of the turn or off  at trackout.   Trailbraking is all about car balance and placing weight where grip is needed.   A car will understeer when not enough weight is placed on the front tires, but will also plow when you exceed the weight/slip angle that the tire can handle.  Start to feel the balance and individually analyze the difference steering, throttle, and brakes make in a turn.  More cowbell too....... er more skidpad will help.

[michael lang]

Bob, I think you made a very good point when you said "car balance and placing weight where grip is needed" is really the key. There is an industrial park near where I live that has a large parking lot that is completely deserted on the weekends and is hidden by some office buildings that I go to. I have been practicing stuff like that there because I'm trying to have a real understanding of my car's handling dynamics and its mannerisms when put in certain types of situations. I have noticed through watching videos, the differences in when cars spin or go off track. The pro drivers usually do lose traction early in the turn as you stated.