Respect the limits
As in all forms of driving, there is a level of risk involved in high-performance driving.
With risk comes responsibility.
With responsibility comes an understanding of vehicle dynamics, cornering abilities, mindset, and decision-making.
drive responsibly
The purpose of this guide is to give you a foundation from which to build your knowledge and experience. But ultimately, the responsibility to use this is in your hands (more accurately, in your mind).
Everything we present here is meant to be used within the letter of the law, and more importantly, within the laws of physics. Your tires are at the core of this, and we ask you to respect their limits — as much as we at BFGoodrich do in building them. Respect the limits of the roads, tracks, and fellow drivers around you, at all times.
Safety Check
Before you hit the road, make sure you are safe and prepared.
Wear your seatbelt
Always wear your seatbelt and stay buckled up. This applies to both street driving and, of course, on the track.
Avoid distractions
Stay focused on driving and avoid distractions such as using mobile phones, eating, or adjusting in-car entertainment systems while driving.
Obey all traffic laws
The fundamentals discussed in this guide can also apply to driving on public roads, but always within the limitations of the law. There's no room for driving aggressively or in violation of the law on public roads.
Be aware of Conditions
High-performance driving can be significantly affected by weather conditions. Avoid driving in extreme weather such as heavy rain, snow, or ice, as these can compromise tire grip and vehicle control.
No drugs or alcohol
Do we really need to say this? Please always follow the law when operating a vehicle.
ELECTRONIC DRIVER/SAFETY AIDS
Modern cars have an abundance of safety systems and “electronic driver aids” to help keep you safe. From ABS and Traction Control, to Emergency Brakeforce Distribution and Stability Control, these systems are all meant to assist you, and not make up for a lack of driver inputs.
There’s no doubt that the vehicles we drive in the future will only get more technologically advanced, with more and more safety-, convenience-, and efficiency-focused devices and aids. Still, until we as drivers are replaced entirely by autonomous vehicles, the responsibility is ours to drive within our limits.
Ultimately, what any safety system does is help keep your car — and at the core, your tires — within the limits of the laws of physics, when you, the driver, unintentionally exceed them. Respect these limits.
Limitations
These controls, systems and designs are undoubtedly improving overal vehicle safety. However, the downside of this technology is that it can lead to complacent (or even wildly over-confident) drivers on the road. After all, they’re able to make a vehicle go around a corner very fast, and they feel completely in control, when it’s really the safety systems that are controlling things. Add in the distractions that come with other forms of technology (texting, email, entertainment systems), and there’s no wonder that despite safer vehicles, the number of crashes on our highways each year are not reducing as much as they could.
Know what driver and safety aids your vehicle has, how they affect your driving, and what their limitations are. But never forget that you, the driver, are in control of these limitations.
Take care of your equipment
Paying close attention to your vehicle and its components goes a long way:
Prioritize vehicle maintenance
Your vehicle needs to be in top working order and should be maintained in accordance with the original equipment (OE) service intervals, using high-quality parts that meet or exceed OE standards.
Check tire pressure regularly
Make sure your tires are inflated to the recommended pressure levels. Under-inflated or over-inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of collision.
Inspect tires for wear and damage
Regularly check your tires for signs of wear, damage, or punctures. Replace tires that are worn out or damaged to maintain optimal performance and safety.
Pre-track checklist
Here are some specific things to remember before going out on track:
Consider a sim
Simulators are used by top racing teams for a reason.
They are a relatively low-cost and risk-free way to practice and drill fundamentals, learn new techniques, explore new tracks, etc.
Know the track rules
If you're driving on a track, make sure you're familiar with and adhere to all track rules and regulations. This includes understanding flag signals and following the instructions of track officials.
Use appropriate safety gear
In addition to wearing a seatbelt, consider using other safety gear such as helmets, gloves, and fire-resistant clothing, especially during track events. Check with your sanctioning body to ensure your safety gear meets or exceeds their requirements.
Understand your vehicle's limits
Every vehicle has its own performance limits. Familiarize yourself with your vehicle's capabilities and avoid pushing it beyond its designed limits.
Test new techniques out in increments
Don’t go full send when trying out heel & toe rev-matching or left foot braking for the first time. These advanced techniques are meant to be eased into, starting with the basics and gradually working up towards the limit of the driver and vehicle’s capabilities.
Join the “no accidents” movement!
High-performance drivers take responsibility for their actions, whether at fault or not. And they’re committed to changing the way others drive by using the proper language.
There Are No Accidents
You will noticed that we never use the word “accident” in this guide. An accident is “an unavoidable act of fate.” A meteor falling out of the sky and crushing your car is an act of fate. Two cars crashing into each other is not.
There is a movement within our high-performance driving world, one that we’d like you to help promote: Eliminate the use of the word “accident” when describing a crash.
Help change the world by eliminating the use of the word “accident” to describe car crashes.
The moment we use “accident,” we absolve the driver or drivers involved of a sense of responsibility. “It was an accident. There was nothing I could do...”
Remember what we said about taking responsibility for what happens when we’re driving, no matter whose fault it is. When we take responsibility for our actions, and even for what others do, we reduce the number and severity of crashes. And that’s not a bad thing.
What is High-Performance driving?
While there is no “official” definition of high-performance driving, think of it as performing everything behind the wheel at the highest level possible.
WHY CHOOSE HIGH - PERFORMANCE DRIVING?
A FEW REASONS YOU MIGHT WANT TO BE A HIGH-PERFORMANCE DRIVER:
The satisfaction of controlling a vehicle, and knowing you are doing something others can’t or won’t
The thrill you experience while sensing and using a vehicle’s limit (and its speed)
The feeling of being in the moment — present with the act of driving
The simple enjoyment when you work with the controls to make the car do what you want it to do
The pleasure and delight of continually learning more about and improving your driving
USE YOUR ROAD DRIVING TO MAKE YOU A BETTER TRACK DRIVER — LEGALLY!
You drive more on the street than you do on the track (unfortunately!). So, take advantage of that time. Again, you don’t need to drive fast to practice high-performance driving techniques. But, you can build “muscle memory” by driving the right way on the road.
Part of being a high-performance driver is knowing when and where it’s safe and appropriate to drive fast — which is on the track. But you can practice a lot while street driving that will make you a better track driver, and you can do that without driving fast. Be smart, and program your performance driving techniques.
PROGRAM THE “RIGHT” TECHNIQUES ON THE ROAD. PRACTICE.
Of course, driving on a race track can also make you a better driver on the street. Everything we talk about in this guide is meant to help you with that, too.
"This guide is not about racing, per se. You don’t need to race to be a high-performance driver. The line between performance and race driving is the competition aspect."
High-performance driving is not about beating another driver, there are no “results,” no trophies, no winners or losers. The competition in performance driving is internal — competing with yourself to improve or beat your personal best. If you want to compete wheel-to-wheel, door handle-to-door handle, then we strongly recommend you go racing.
And, this book can give you some basics. After all, the first step in racing is driving fast and well, and that’s one of the goals for this guide.
So, whether you only drive on the street and highway, or whether you also head to a race track to drive every now and then, this guide is for you.
But you don’t learn to drive a car by reading a book! You learn by doing, by being behind the wheel and actually practicing. However, a guide like this will help you learn more in less time behind the wheel. It’ll prepare you to make the most of every second you spend driving, and it will help put what you experience into perspective. It will help things “click.”
HABITS — YOUR MENTAL PROGRAMMING
Also, you sometimes don’t do what you want because you either don’t have the mental programming (habit) to do it, or, every now and then you access the wrong program (you make a mistake).
Some habits, or mental programs, are good; some are not. Driving with two hands on the steering wheel is a good habit, while holding the wheel with one hand at the 12 o’clock position is not. Smoothly releasing the brake pedal is a good habit; snapping or popping your foot off the brakes is not.
Your goal, then, is to break bad habits and build good ones.
To do that, you first need to be aware of which ones are good, which ones are bad, and how to change them. It’s really the purpose of this guide.
BREAK THE BAD HABITS
GROW THE GOOD HABITS
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Chapter 1 - Responsibility & Driver Safety
Chapter 2 - Technique
Chapter 3 - Vehicle Dynamics
Chapter 4 - Handling Characteristics & Cornering
Chapter 5 - The Performance Driver’s Mindset
Chapter 6 - Putting It All Together
Chapter 7 - Let’s Drive
Chapter 8 - The g-Force™ Family Control Manual