The Motor Racing Checklist

Master racing fundamentals with 5 years of expert insights. Learn concepts for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced drivers, through structured lessons you'll revisit.

Learn why race car driving mastery requires patience, repetition, and embracing frustration—plus how muscle memory and proper practice turn complex techniques into automatic skills.

Learn to prevent racing mistakes by understanding what causes them. Master the technique of replicating errors on purpose to build precision and control.

Learn how proper racing posture—knee angle, heel position, 9-3 steering grip, and relaxed breathing—creates the efficiency and consistency that separates pros from rookies.

Learn to maximize lateral load through active driving: constantly adjusting inputs to keep your car on the verge of sliding, rather than passively waiting mid-corner.

Learn to master any car-track combo through 4 progressive steps: finding the racing line, controlling understeer, minimizing it through braking, and refining based on car behavior.

Watch a pro driver demonstrate the complete progression from learning basic lines to finding speed through deliberate understeer, trail braking, and balance adjustments.

Master FFB and pedal setup to feel every grip change. Learn proper clipping, linearity, FOV settings, and brake calibration for maximum precision and car control.

Learn how to master cornering by breaking it into 4 clear stages: early entry, late entry, early exit, and late exit. Understand braking, rotation, and avoiding common mistakes.

Master speed control through proper braking technique—learn to isolate skills, find braking limits safely, and build the foundation for fast, consistent driving.

Master precise brake control by developing foot sensitivity to modulate pressure 1% at a time. Learn to apply and release brakes smoothly while staying relaxed for consistent lap times.

Learn the 3 key braking techniques—application speed, threshold braking, and trail braking—plus how reference points and pressure precision impact your consistency and lap times.

Learn how mechanical and aerodynamic grip affect braking force, why downforce lets race cars corner faster, and how speed and elevation changes impact tire grip.

Learn how track elevation changes—compressions and crests—affect tire grip and braking zones, including subtle variations most drivers miss that impact your speed and control.

Learn how brake bias affects grip distribution, why more front bias doesn't mean more grip, and how to balance straight-line braking with cornering rotation for faster lap times.

Learn how engine braking and downshift timing dynamically alter brake bias, affecting tire lock-up and corner entry balance—crucial for consistent, controlled driving.

Learn how tire surface temperature affects grip in every corner, from single turns to full stints, and master braking techniques that prevent overheating for faster, more consistent lap times.

Learn how cold tire temperature spikes from wheel spin or scrubbing kill grip instantly in iRacing, creating a snowball effect that ruins your outlap and early race pace.

Learn how to use precise driving references for consistency and confidence—from breaking points to throttle application—building a foundation for faster lap times.

Master active vision techniques to scan for track details, find precise references, and visualize the correct racing line—transforming reaction time and consistency on track.

Learn how entry speed determines everything in cornering. Master gear selection and RPM awareness to achieve consistent, confident lap times and perfect your racing lines.

Learn how positioning and angle create the perfect racing line through checkpoints, deceiving corners, and preparing your car's placement before reaching the limit.

Learn to identify deceiving corners that throw off your positioning and discover how to use checkpoints and planning vision to maintain ideal racing lines through complex sequences.

Learn how to master linked corners where your exit point determines the next entry. Discover why these "double corners" cost you twice the time and how to nail them consistently.

Learn how corner length determines your turn-in point and braking strategy. Master the difference between tight hairpins and long sweepers to nail your apex timing every time.

Learn how to recover when you're too fast for a corner: recognize oversteer early, accept missing the apex, and find an alternative line to avoid spinning out instead of forcing it.

Learn how the Maximum Rotation Point (MRP) divides every corner into entry and exit phases, helping you perfect braking, steering input, and acceleration timing for faster laps.

Learn how to optimize corner forces by aligning braking, turning, and acceleration with your exit direction—plus discover the 50% rotation rule for finding your ideal acceleration point.

Learn to match peak rotation with minimum speed points in corners, read telemetry graphs to spot oversteer/understeer, and avoid the common mistake of adding steering on acceleration.

Learn when to use late vs early apex based on straight length, how subtle changes affect speed, and why corner spacing determines your racing line strategy.

Learn to master double apex corners: understand why touching the inside twice creates faster lap times through better entry speed and exit acceleration across different downforce levels.

Master compound corners by learning how to link multiple turns without losing grip, avoid going straight between corners, and use the entire track to maximize speed through complex sequences.

Master consistent cornering by visualizing closing spirals instead of fixed-radius arcs. Discover how this mental shift fixes turn-in timing and prevents frustrating understeer.

Learn to maximize tire grip by managing rotation and lateral load. Master inducing understeer and oversteer to find the limit where all four tires work together for maximum speed.

Learn the difference between "driving the line" vs "driving the car" - discover how to feel your car's limit, use rotation effectively, and blend both for faster lap times.

Learn how trail braking creates rotation by shifting weight forward, why you get both deceleration and rotation when braking in corners, and how to smoothly transition between them.

Learn the 3 tools that control car rotation on corner entry: steering, trail braking, and engine braking. Discover why trying to spin fails and how to balance all three for perfect turn-in.

Master the string theory technique: Learn to smoothly release brakes as you add steering, avoid the deadly mistake of braking and turning simultaneously, and build muscle memory for faster laps.

Learn trail braking by combining steering with brakes for better rotation, later braking, and earlier acceleration. Understand why it's difficult and how to adapt to oversteer/understeer cars.

Master the light hands steering technique: feel force feedback to control tire grip, use passive countersteering for instant corrections, and apply exponential vs linear inputs based on downforce.

Master throttle control by understanding traction limits, initial application vs modulation, managing rotation through corner exit, and adapting technique for different power levels.

Master crests and elevation changes by learning how grip varies through corners, when to relax or add steering force, and how to adjust your racing line for maximum speed and control.

Learn how to make lightning-fast corrections when your car loses grip, avoiding common mistakes like slow overcorrection and post-slide hesitation that cost precious time.

Learn two key approaches to finding the perfect cornering speed: adjusting speed first then dealing with rotation, or testing rotation first to safely discover grip limits.

Master car handling techniques with this comprehensive course. Apply these concepts to transform your driving and prepare for advanced telemetry training and racecraft skills.