Cornering - optimal method (speed and safety)

Supercell

Living in the sticks where the roads are windy I've seen many ways of cornering rarely seen in a urban traffic heavy scenario so i thought I'd ask the experts and seek out what is the best way to take a corner. Speed and safety are the primary concern.

Below is a crappy picture I made of the main cornering methods that seem to be prevalent here.



Red is taken by Hiace van drivers in the main ( I really don't like this one..imho these people are endangering people at the other side of the road)

Blue is a slower drivers preferred method and I guess pretty safe.

Orange (which I take) is faster and imho gives me better visibility of whats coming around the corner but may startle oncoming traffic (note - I don't cross the white line) .

I'm pretty curious as to what the petrol heads here reckon is the best line to take?

Anan1

If you really don't want to cross the white line then at least stay close to it on left-handers - it'll allow you to see much further into the bend. You seem to be starting near the kerb and only reaching the line midway through the turn.

mike65

The quickest way is break before the bend accelerate out, and drive an automatic.

Mike

tossy

I presume we are talking private track scenario here right? not public roads?

I can't see that picture due to work filters but always brake before and never in the corner,never change gears in the corner either,find optimum gear as you enter and use it to power you out.you also have to hit the apex with some balls!

Mr.David

On road cornering is all about chasing the limit point. Good cornering is made up of 5 stages:

1. Information - Assessing road conditions, corner camber and severity, weather conditions, vehicle capability, hazards etc

2. Position - set the car up in the correct position for the corner e.g. for a LH turn stay towards the centre line of the road

3. Speed - Adjust your speed by braking or letting the throttle out as necessary but do not drop too much speed

4. Gear - Select the appropriate gear for driving through the corner, once you have finished braking

5. Acceleration - you should now acccelerate through the corner

This is the smoothest and most rapid way to safely drive on the road. It all involves chasing the limit point i.e. the point at which the corner converges upon itself (the farthest point you can see). As you drive around the corner obviously this point moves and opens out. You should try and chase the limit point to the extend whereby it stays a constant difference away from you. If it moves away quickly you should push harder and probably braked too much. If you gain on it too quickly you are pushing too hard.

This method when mastered really results in a fluid drive, its very rapid and you carve through corners. Also, by focusing on the limit point you will not be caught out by a corner that tightens sharply

Last point - always make sure that you can stop in the distance between you and the limit point!:)

mickdw

I wouldnt be afraid to cross the centre line on approach to a corner where there is sufficient view of the road to ensure that you wont frighten oncoming drivers. this approach gives maximum view around the corner while also allowing a reduction in corner angle. If you drive this way, there are much less cornering forces on the car compared to someone staying perfectly in lane driving at the same speed as you.
As mentioned above by Mr David, the method whererby you drive around a corner at such a speed that the convergence point of the corner stays a set distance from you is a very good way to drive. As long as you realise that you need to be capable of stopping in the distance you can see, this method will show you the suitable speed to approach any corner at, and what speed is 100% safe to maintain on the corner.

Esel

Keep to the left on the approach to a right-hand bend. Apex is towards the centre of the road.

Keep to the centre on the approach to a left-hand bend. Apex is towards the left margin of the road.

It's all about reducing the severity of the curve. The above approach strategies also also optimise your view of the road ahead.

Steve

Supercell wrote: »

Red is taken by Hiace van drivers in the main ( I really don't like this one..imho these people are endangering people at the other side of the road)

Blue is a slower drivers preferred method and I guess pretty safe.

Orange (which I take) is faster and imho gives me better visibility of whats coming around the corner but may startle oncoming traffic (note - I don't cross the white line) .

I'm pretty curious as to what the petrol heads here reckon is the best line to take?

Red = too fast into the corner.
Blue = granny
Orange = just wierd and I really can't see how it's fast.

If I'm driving normally on a road, I'd stick to the middle of the lane (or take a semi racing line if there was room) and have speed scrubbed before I started to turn, then hold speed smoothly until I could see the exit and begin to accelerate again.

If I was in a hurry and I knew the road then I'd start thinking about turn-in apex and exit. Only if I knew the road and had full vis of the corner though.

Never forget the saying:
Slow in, fast out.
Fast in, you don't come out.

Blitzkrieger

The trick is when approaching a left hander to flick the car to the right briefly. This upsets the balance of the car making it much easier to get the back end out and glide around the....

Oh - safety....

Obviously brake and change gear before the bend and look as far ahead as possible, but in general the IAM advise staying to the left of the road for a right hand bend. The momentum of your car should bring you naturally back to the centre of the road after the corner. For a left-hander they recommend sitting as far right in your lane as possible to give yourself maximum visibility. Once you can see the end of the corner you then cut the apex to take up the centre of your lane.

For motorbikes it's different. They recommend 'flattening' the curve. Basically take the racing line while remaining in your own lane.

Gregor Samsa

tossy wrote: »

I presume we are talking private track scenario here right? not public roads?

I can't see that picture due to work filters but always brake before and never in the corner,never change gears in the corner either,find optimum gear as you enter and use it to power you out.you also have to hit the apex with some balls!

I'm pretty sure he's talking about public roads. You don't see too many Hiaces on private tracks! :P

Marcus.Aurelius

The old saying is "Slowly into danger and quickly out".

Keep left for a right hand bend, and right to the centre line for a left bend, maximise your line of sight through the corner, brake as you enter and accelerate to stabilise the car as you emerge.

Always be aware of motorbikes that may enter your side spaces (there are a lot of muppets out there).

galwaytt

looks to me like you were overtaking Granny when you met the Hiace,and gave you a fright !!

galwaytt

Me, I'd be in the Green lane.

Seriously though, as long as your sight line is diminishing, I'd be slowing, and once it increases, accelerate: as someone said, slow in, fast out.