Have you ever wondered how to get faster around a racetrack? What skills can boost your confidence behind the wheel? With the right training, you can develop the abilities needed to handle tricky situations, like saving your car if it starts to slide or understeer.
As the head coach of Texas Drift Academy, I’ve seen firsthand how our program helps road course drivers improve their lap times. Recently, I worked with the current team principal of Williams F1, James Vowels, a strategist known for helping Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton win eight consecutive championships in Formula 1. Our session opened my eyes to how certain skills learned in drifting can build confidence and lead to better performance on the track.
During our class, I was amazed at how quickly James adapted to drifting. After just one run, he demonstrated excellent control over the car’s slip angle. He was comfortable managing oversteer, understeer, throttle control, and clutch modulation to dictate power delivery. This level of skill typically takes many sessions to develop.
James also introduced me to a fascinating technique called “zero steer.” This method involves keeping the steering wheel neutral while using the chassis weight and momentum to help navigate turns. By managing braking and throttle effectively, drivers can maintain a slight slip angle (about 8-11 degrees) that allows the car to glide through corners smoothly. This technique keeps momentum up and is often used in go-karting, road racing, and even dirt track racing.
This was the moment everything clicked for me. At Texas Drift Academy, we teach students how to use throttle and weight to navigate corners. While we focus on achieving higher slip angles of 40 degrees or more, mastering the lower slip angles of 8-11 degrees is crucial for implementing the zero steer technique effectively.
With a full day of training, our students are able to dial back the 40 degrees of angle to the effective amount of 10 degrees to precisely control a neutral or four wheel slide. Using this technique on a racetrack is a guaranteed way to drop time from your current lap times.
Our training program includes countless repetitions on the same surface, allowing students to truly understand their inputs and reactions. We have students ranging from beginners to experienced racers in series like Ferrari Challenge, NASCAR, and Formula Drift. Across the board, we’ve seen significant improvements in lap times.
For example, one of our dedicated students returned to COTA after several classes and managed to shave an incredible six seconds off her previous best lap time. By mastering new skills such as throttle control, managing oversteer and understeer, and navigating corners smoothly, our students leave Texas Drift Academy with enhanced confidence and performance.
If you’re looking to take your racing to the next level, consider how drifting can sharpen your skills and boost your confidence on the track. Join us at Texas Drift Academy and discover the difference for yourself!
