rec.autos.simulators

Sorry to show my ignorance, but I have seen the phrase
'trail braking' used a lot when discussing GPL. I am right in assuming that
it is braking while turning into a corner?
If so, when do you change down gears during the process and does 'trail
braking' mean that the whole process of braking is left as late as possible
(if so how do you stop yourself sliding straight off at a bend?)
Sorry there are so many questions - I'm just trying to improve
my GPL skills (I try to keep telling myself its only a game!!!!).

Trail braking is the American term (I think) for braking late into the apex.
The greatest exponent of this
technique was Jim Clark who was a master at it - perhaps this is partly what
gave him the edge over other
drivers. Whereas the conventional approach was to brake hard in a straight
line well before the bend and the
accelerate through the curve, Clarke would brake much later, while pointing
the car slightly into the apex. At
the apex he would hug the inside and then power away with a superb 4-wheel
drift. His speed at the apex was
relatively slower than other cars but this was compensated by the fact that
he would gain a few yards on the
approach.

I had the priviledge of watching Clarke in the sixties at Brands Hatch (UK),
not only in Formula 1, but also
Formula 2, sports cars, and, spectacularly, in the Lotus Cortina which he
threw around with incredible
virtuosity. He was absolutely spellbinding to watch and visibly faster than
any other car on the circuit.

I've tried the late braking technique in GPL, and it has an advantage round
some, not all, circuits. It definitely
produces good results at Silverstone and other medium/fast circuits. You
have to be careful to set brake bias not
too far forward otherwise you could spin whilst braking, since you would be
turning in slightly.

Best Wishes,

Robert

Thank you for explaining 'trail braking' - it was very informative.
This evening is being reserved for me to test it on the Silverstone
track in GPL.

Best wishes

% Thank you for explaining 'trail braking' - it was very informative.
% This evening is being reserved for me to test it on the Silverstone
% track in GPL.

I use a modified style of trail braking than the one described in the
earlier post.  I tend to brake in normal manner, but use a slight touch
on the brakes to keep the weight over the steering wheels while I aim
for the apex.  In other words, I do most of my braking on the straight
approach to the turn, let off easy as I approach the turn in point and
then feather the brake to help turn the car into the apex.

Keep in mind, in order for trailbraking to work in sims, one really
needs to have their brake and accelerator on separate axes.

--
**************************** Michael E. Carver *************************
     Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<[ /./.  [-  < ]>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

I think both of these replies are saying the same thing, the second one is
more precise.
If I can be more precise:  Trailbraking involves braking in a straight line
into a corner, as normal, turning in a bit early, and as more steering lock
is applied, you slowly release the brakes to avoid overworking the
ti(y)res, so that you end up at some point on the brakes and turning at the
same time.
This advantages you in two ways:  You should be able to brake a little bit
later down the straight since you will be braking longer after the turn,
and it should help to pivot the car in the direction of the exit a little
bit earlier, allowing you to get on the gas that much earlier.
Note that this technique is most effective on corners which require more
braking.  This is especially visible in short oval racing, where the cars
point almost straight into the apex under braking, drift out wide a little
whilst pivoting and getting on the gas, well before they apex again on the
exit.  That is where you hear of a double-apex corner; the longer the
corner (closer to 180 degrees), the more likely it is a double-apexer.  The
same applies to any type of road racing.
Though I'd just run off at the mouth there while waiting for a NG to
download...

Go fast... Crash hard!

Martin

On Sat, 21 Nov 1998 15:39:28 GMT, "Michael E. Carver"
<snip>
<snip>

I too take your method of trail braking.  I am new to GPL (just
got it Thursday), but I have used this method in other sims, and
it works great.   It's spectacularly well modeled in GPL, if you
ask me.  It's a brilliant overtaking tool, provided you have
confidence you can hold the line.

I use a GP1 wheel, which *does not* have separate axis... it does
not cause a problem for me (or I am dumb... take your pick?).  I
am not on the accellerator during the trail braking... I trail
brake (no throttle) until I feel the car is settled in the exit
line and then throttle.

I am driving the Ferrari, which is sometimes quite ponderous in
it's suspension travel, maybe I would suffer this method in the
more nimble Eagle and/or Lotus.  I did try it briefly in the
Eagle at Spa... I had trouble with the Eagle all around, because
I could not get predictable weight shift mechanics (I'll get
better, w/time, I hope).  The Ferrari can be ponderous in tight
quarters, but it's magnificently predictable to me.

GPL is toooooooooooooooooo kewl!!

-=Hammer
remove x fer email reply