Before starting out, practice driving the track in your head so you are able to drive the car around without thinking which is a left / right corner. Its easier to practice in your head or on a simple layout in your backyard than to learn this at the track. Practicing in your head will make your reactions quicker and is important for RC which is a mental sport.
Take a walk around the track before you start driving to look for hidden bumps, cambers, and other things that may not be easy to see from the drivers stand. If you are struggling with a part of the track, take a walk with an experienced racer to work out what you might be able to do to fix your issue.
Staying on the racing line is most important. This means close to the kerbs through the corners and generally running wider on the straight to make the corners as open as possible. The trach has more grip on the racing line from the tyres running on the clay and the racing line is usually the shortest distance around the track.
Smoothly apply the throttle to minimise wheelspin and maximise traction. You may not need full throttle anywhere other than the straight.
Slow down BEFORE the corner so your car is at the right speed to make the corner. When you are starting out, its better to be a little slower into the corner so you have the right line through the corner and can exit the corner cleanly. Slow in, Fast out and follow the racing line.
Practice using very little steering for fast corners and on the straight. Only use full steering lock in low speed / tight corners. Too much steering at high speed can make the cars feel very unstable.
Aim for the least air possible, as when you are in the air your tyres are not on the ground so you have no grip. Let off the power just as your car is about to leave the jump, and keep the steering straight until the car has landed. Its important to make sure your car is lined up properly BEFORE the jump, as once it is in the air you cannot steer it.
When your car is in the air, if you apply the throttle the front will lift up, and if you hit the brakes the front will drop down. Generally its better for the car to jump with a slight nose down attitude. Just before the car hits the ground, re-apply the throttle so the wheels are spinning at a similar speed to the ground.
It can get windy at the KEORCA track, and this will affect the way your vehicle jumps. Headwinds will often make the front lift up a lot, and it can be better to slow down more before the jump in that case. With a tailwind, you can usually jump faster and longer.
Track change and tyres: the KEORCA surface is a clay / soil surface, and traction level changes with moisture, UV, temperature and with traffic. The track crew will usually water the track at the start of the day to bind the surface, then as cars drive on it the surface becomes more hard and compacted (grooved). When the track is wet you will usually start with a pin type tyre, then as it grooves up you move to a bar type tyre. Consult with experienced racers at the track about tyre choice - having the correct tyre on your car is the most important part of setup and will make your car much easier to drive.
