Can someone explain what trail breaking is?
Keep in mind there is no reset button on the track. Trail braking is good if you know what you are doing and how your car handles, but as a *general* rule, it's not the best method to learn. I prefer not to do trail braking myself as it limits options (by carrying too much speed into a turn) to react to unexpected changes such as loose gravel, other cars in the turn, etc. Safer to go in slowly and be patient. 

No, it's not the first thing you teach them, but I'm quite sure NASA teaches Group 1 and 2 students the art of trailbraking and tells them to experiment on safe turns with lots of run off and to tell your instructor you'll be trying it.
I understand what you are saying, but its something people need to know how to do and use appropriately to be safe on track. If they do happen to get themselves into a situation of going in hot to a turn they better know how to handle it or they are going to go off fast and hurt their car, themselves, and the instructor.
No, it's not the first thing you teach them, but I'm quite sure NASA teaches Group 1 and 2 students the art of trailbraking and tells them to experiment on safe turns with lots of run off and to tell your instructor you'll be trying it.
No, it's not the first thing you teach them, but I'm quite sure NASA teaches Group 1 and 2 students the art of trailbraking and tells them to experiment on safe turns with lots of run off and to tell your instructor you'll be trying it.
Oh..and other types of braking:
1. Hard. This is when you hit the brakes hard. Used a lot.
2. Really Hard. This is when you hit the brakes harder. Used in late braking situations. Also used a lot.
3. Too Hard. This is when you tried to late brake, went too deep and slid your car right off the turn. Used a little too often.
4. Left foot braking. Think about that one and get back to me.
5. 2 Feet In. You fucked up, abandon ship. Jab clutch and brake in, lock up everything possible to stop the car as fast as you can before that horrible crunch sound happens. Look around, get the hell out of the way and come in to clean your pants.
6. No brakes. This usually follows any of the first 5 types of braking. This is where things get exciting. 120mph into T1, pedal goes to the floor. Grab E Brake, aim across turn, slide car sideways, pray.
1. Hard. This is when you hit the brakes hard. Used a lot.
2. Really Hard. This is when you hit the brakes harder. Used in late braking situations. Also used a lot.
3. Too Hard. This is when you tried to late brake, went too deep and slid your car right off the turn. Used a little too often.
4. Left foot braking. Think about that one and get back to me.
5. 2 Feet In. You fucked up, abandon ship. Jab clutch and brake in, lock up everything possible to stop the car as fast as you can before that horrible crunch sound happens. Look around, get the hell out of the way and come in to clean your pants.
6. No brakes. This usually follows any of the first 5 types of braking. This is where things get exciting. 120mph into T1, pedal goes to the floor. Grab E Brake, aim across turn, slide car sideways, pray.
Keep in mind that this guy is asking about *learning* to drive a heavy Mustang GT in those turns. I wouldn't recommend trail braking at this point, it's great if you can do it, and as you said, necessary for advanced drivers.
Here is a guy trail braking on a kart. Perfect example of how an advanced driver can use trail braking in a turn and use it to turn the car efficiently. Link
Here is a guy trail braking on a kart. Perfect example of how an advanced driver can use trail braking in a turn and use it to turn the car efficiently. Link
He was asking what was trail braking, he never mentioned trying it in a "heavy" mustang gt. I just didnt want him thinking it was one thing when it was something different.
Trail braking is your friend as long as you use it appropriately. Ask DRFTwizard what turns he trail brakes and he'll probably say Start to Finish. E30s slide like a sumbitch on corner entry.
Trail braking is your friend as long as you use it appropriately. Ask DRFTwizard what turns he trail brakes and he'll probably say Start to Finish. E30s slide like a sumbitch on corner entry.
I use trail braking quite a bit. Now heel and toe shifting still kicks my ass a bit. I have to put my new gas pedal on to help close the gap a bit and keep practicing.
With a car as fast as yours in a slow run group such as 1 or even 2 you probably rarely see open track going into T1 or rollercoaster which are great spots to practice heel/toe. I cant heel/toe to save my life on many street cars, but on the track when I can threshold brake I have zero problems. Just a comfort level you gotta reach....much like trail braking.




