When it comes to applying the throttle, how is more important than when.
Doing my very best imitation of Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman from one of my favorite TV shows, MythBusters, I’m going to tackle some of the most common myths in the driving community. Unfortunately, unlike Adam and Jamie, I’m not able to use any explosives!
But first, according to the Oxford Dictionary, a myth is “A widely held but false belief or idea.” I would add that many are somewhat controversial, as well, so let me stir things up.
Myth: The driver who begins accelerating first will be the fastest.
Plausible: If I begin applying the throttle a fraction of a second before you do, but I then have to ease back out of the throttle to avoid running out of track at the exit, then you’ll be faster than me. Usually – but not always – the sooner you get to, and stay at one hundred percent throttle, the faster you’ll be.
So much of this depends on HOW you apply the throttle, not when.
In some corners, with some cars, you’re better off hesitating for a fraction of a second before beginning to apply the throttle, and then continuously adding more and more until you’re at full power. If you have to ease up on this continuous application, then you’ve either begun too soon, or fed in the throttle too quickly.
In other cars and corners, you’re better off immediately tipping into the throttle the instant you’re off the brakes (often, as little as 5 percent throttle), and then gradually squeezing on more and more until at full throttle. I call this a “balance throttle,” since the main objective here is to balance the car’s weight transfer, as well as keeping the minimum speed up (not decelerate by coasting). And the same guideline applies: if you have to ease up or off the throttle before getting to full throttle, you’ve gotten on the power too soon or too quickly.
Notice that I did not once say that the goal is to begin applying the throttle sooner. Sure, that helps, but what is more important is what you’ve done with the throttle on the way to getting to full power.
Ross Bentley
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Ross Bentley has spent a lifetime helping drivers go faster. He’s the author of the Speed Secrets books (the best-selling racing series ever), is one of the most sought-after driver coaches in the world, and runs SpeedSecrets.com, the largest collection of driver development resources anywhere. Want more articles like this? Subscribe at RossBentley.Substack.com.
