The Physics of Racing Part 2: Keeping your tires stuck to the ground

In last week’s article, we explained the physics behind weight transfer. That is, we explained why braking shifts weight to the front of the car, accelerating shifts weight to the rear, and cornering shifts weight to the outside of a curve. Weight transfer is a side-effect of the tyres keeping the car from flipping over during manoeuvres. We found out that a one G braking manoeuvre in our 3200 pound example car causes 640 pounds to transfer from the rear tyres to the front tyres. The explanations were given directly in terms of Newton’s fundamental laws of Nature.

This week, we investigate what causes tyres to stay stuck and what causes them to break away and slide. We will find out that you can make a tyre slide either by pushing too hard on it or by causing weight to transfer off the tyre by your control inputs of throttle, brakes, and steering. Conversely, you can cause a sliding tyre to stick again by pushing less hard on it or by transferring weight to it. The rest of this article explains all this in term of (you guessed it) physics.

The Physics of Racing – Part 1: Weight Transfer

Global Racing Schools presents a series of articles aimed at improving the understand of the physics behind racing. For novice and seasoned drivers alike, these are must read articles if you wish to improve the way you race.

Part 1: Weight Transfer

Most autocrossers and race drivers learn early in their careers the importance of balancing a car. Learning to do it consistently and automatically is one essential part of becoming a truly good driver. While the skills for balancing a car are commonly taught in drivers’ schools, the rationale behind them is not usually adequately explained. That rationale comes from simple physics. Understanding the physics of driving not only helps one be a better driver, but increases one’s enjoyment of driving as well. If you know the deep reasons why you ought to do certain things you will remember the things better and move faster toward complete internalisation of the skills.

Racing Intimidation – A Mental Game

Do you pay more attention to other ranked racers in the field that have had success? Do you compare yourself to other drivers when you get to the track? If you answered yes, then you are a candidate for psyching yourself out of the race. Psych-outs are usually self-induced based on your paying too much attention to other riders. It happens in all sports —rookies or younger athletes worry too much about the competition instead of what they need to do to race their best. Just the reputation of a rider can make you feel intimidated—if you let it!

The Focus On The Driver

The Early Years

From the 1920’s through the 1950’s, tires were tall and skinny and their contact patch was so small that details of wheel alignment did not seem to matter much. Throughout this period the engine was the dominant component that anyone knew how to improve. This focus, on increasing horsepower, resulted in more and more power with little improvement in handling.

The realities of high horsepower and very light cars became progressively evident from the 1960’s and into the 1980’s. Serious attention to design and application was concentrated on separate engine,  chassis, suspension and aerodynamic development programs.

Increasing loads on the chassis to improve straight line and cornering grip dictated: “fat” tires, better brakes and progressively sophisticated suspension and aerodynamic systems.

The 1990’s focused the interdependence of these separate programs into a discipline. A shift had occurred. Horsepower was no longer the major component of the go-fast equation. The Science of engineering a complete race car had been born. However, for many, even today, the early years legacy of a dominant focus on horsepower still exists.

Basic Cornering Techniques

This article was written for novice drivers who are just starting out with racing or intending to start racing.

The first thing that you will need to keep in mind is that cars and drivers alike only have a 100% capacity. If you are using 80% of your traction for braking, you only have 20% left over for cornering. If you’re using 80% of your traction for cornering, you only have 20% left over for acceleration.

Likewise, if the driver is using 80% of their attention towards steering inputs, they will only have 20% of their attention left for speed adjustments. To push the limits while driving, we need to adjust our street driving techniques for the track. Remember, just like while skiing, you go where you are looking, so you need to look as far down the track as possible to remain smooth and in control. Also, always keep your hands at the 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock position, except when shifting. Your car talks to you through your steering wheel, so listen with both hands.

10 Common High Performance Driving Errors

1. NOT ENOUGH MENTAL PRACTICE

The more complex the task, the more improvement is likely to result from mental practice; and motor racing would surely qualify as sufficiently complex. Mental practice is the most important part of any driving exercise. Stretching the mind prior to competition prevents mental cramps. Imagery can be used to create intensely realistic pre-experiences that give the feeling of having been there before, with the confidence and competence that comes with it. Arrange the course into a mental slide show. With your eyes closed replay the course exactly as you intend to drive it. Mentally rotate the steering wheel, shift gears and brake at appropriate locations. Repeat these images until they become fluid. Since the brain makes little distinction between a visual image and a thought image, by practicing purely within your mind, imagery can create, modify or strengthen pathways important to the co-ordination of your muscles. Fine skills or complex techniques can be slowed down, analyzed, and on-track driving scenes and actions can become familiar. Familiar scenes are important in order to process the abundance of real-time information created by increasing speed.

How can I get started in Racing?

To get started in racing, the first and most important requirement is to obtain a race license. It does not matter which country you are from or where you decide to race in, the bottom-line is – you will need a license.

So, how do you get a race license?

Good news for aspiring racers living in countries with well established motorsport organizations, it is relatively easy to get your race license. For information on how to get the license, you can simply approach your country’s Motorsport association, usually called an ASN in short.

Here are the things that they will require you to do:

1)   Sign up as a member.

2)   Take a driving course to certify that you have the basic knowledge for racing.

3)   Take up a medical examination appointed by the ASN.

4)   Once you pass the driving course and medical examination, you will obtain your C-grade national racing license.

5) The C grade national license allows you to race in national events. Once you have completed a certain number of races as required by your country’s ASN, you would be able to upgrade to an International C grade license that would allow you to race in international events.

Interview with Nyck De Vris: The Child Prodigy

Fresh from a Podium finish in the toughest Karting category in the world; Super KF, we speak with Nyck De Vries to see how he is coping with the pressure of competing with the best in the business

Question : Nyck you have been signed by McLaren and the Hamilton group to further develop your career in racing and you’re only 15 this year. How does that make you feel?

I feel great by the fact that the best formula one team in the world chose me to help develop my career. And especially Anthony have the experience to help a young driver to the top. For sure, I just started my career and have a long way to go, but I will do everything it takes to achieve the top of racing. Step by step.

McLaren New Signing Produces Stunning Results

Early this year, McLaren has signed Dutch kart racer Nyck de Vries to its young driver development programme. The 14-year-old is being managed by Anthony Hamilton and the Hamilton Management Group, who firmly believe in Nyck’s status as an up-and-coming junior racer.

This European Champion and winner of WSK in KF3 in 2009, Nyck De Vries made some spectacular debuts in the top category of karting, Super KF. The young Dutch driver (15 years) immediately engaged in a fight for victory against the best drivers in the world. Already very fast at the Winter Cup, at the wheel of his Zanardi-Parilla from Chiesa Corse Team, he quickly confirmed his excellent state of form when mounting on the second step of the podium at the inauguration of the WSK Euro Series, just behind double world champion Ardigo. An excellent result, which he immediately dedicated to the F1 McLaren Team.

Client of the Month: Oliver Wong

Oliver Wong is a young man with a burning passion for cars. Despite having loved cars for all his life, he had never had any real experience in racing till recently. He is an enthusiast who has been for performance driving programs conducted by BMW and gone for a couple of track days in Malaysia. He approached us, wanting to “get a taste” of what it would be like to drive in a Formula car, and he received more than what he had bargained for. Below is a schedule of what we had planned for his 2 day formula program.

Day 1: BASIC RACING

• 9am: Pick up from Hotel
• 930am – 4pm: Clark International Raceway
  • Orientation on Basic Racing and Formula Car Driving
  • Learning of the Circuit (Tony Kart)
    
  • Heat 1 – Orientation Gear Shifts and Circuit (Ford Focus Touring Car)
  • Heat 2 – Braking (Formula Ford)
  • Lunch Break
  • Heat 3 – Follow the leader / Racing line Exercise (Formula Ford)
  • Heat 4 – Downshifting (Formula Ford)
  • Heat 5 – Lapping (Formula Ford)
• 430pm: Return to Hotel

Day 2: ADVANCED RACING

• 9am: Pick up from Hotel
• 930am – 4pm: Clark International Raceway
  • Review
  • Heat 1 – Skills review: Shifting and Race Line (Ford FocusTouring Car)
  • Heat 2 – Lapping (Formula Ford)
  • Heat 3 – Lapping (Formula Ford)
  • Lunch Break
  • Heat 4 – Data Interpretation (Formula Toyota)
  • Heat 5 – Data Interpretation (Formula Toyota)
  • Wrap –up Discussion
• 400pm: Return to Hotel

On the 17th and 18th of December 2009, Oliver Wong did a 2 day Formula Program with us in the Philippines. He had approached us in early November, inquiring on the feasibility of doing a Formula program and we tailored a program specifically to suit his needs. The agenda for the customized program was simple. To build up the skills needed in a short period of time so that Oliver would be able to handle, and perform in a Formula Toyota. We started him off with the purest and most basic form of racing, karting. This was used to build up the essential concepts that would be required to handle an expensive and delicate race machine, the Formula Toyota. After some theory and practical with the kart, the next step was to put him into a touring car, to get him used to handling a vehicle that was much bigger, and a lot more powerful. This phase saw Oliver hurtling through corners, unleashing the power of a race prepped touring car.

Oliver felt that the progression from karting, to touring car, to Formula Ford, and finally the Formula Toyota was a great way to build up his confidence and to ensure that he had the necessary skills and techniques to advance up to the Formula Toyota. His biggest takeaway from the program was that “In order to drive fast, you first have to learn how to drive slow.” This was something he truly believed in and was emphasized by the instructor that trained him. The initial portion of the training was spent refining his skills and developing his techniques to a greater level. After he got used to the handling, the racing lines, and the driving techniques such as heel and toe, Oliver was then strapped into a Formula Ford. It was his first time in a Formula Car, and Oliver was thrilled. He had no idea that this program would be so much fun. He was taught about the car, its behavior, capabilities, and its limits. His instructors were really impressed with his ability to learn and adapt so quickly to the driving conditions presented to him.

With full confidence, they gave him the opportunity to drive the Formula Toyota car, with uprated horsepower. In the Formula Toyota, he had a blast of a time, with the adrenaline rush from the open cockpit of the Formula Toyota. Oliver was extremely satisfied with the program and felt that it was better than what he had expected. Oliver was pleasantly surprised with the 1 is to 1 instructor to student ratio and the fact that there were only him and another client of ours doing the program. We had customized the program such that it would be a private program so that he would be able to learn and absorb as much as possible within the two days and the addition of the second client, was to reduce the costs of doing the program.

When we asked him about his future plans for racing, he told us that he had such a great time, that he would like to get a racing license and start participating in some race weekends.

We have successfully planted the racing bug into Oliver and we will be seeing a lot of him in the Motorsport scene as we support his training and races so that he’ll be able to live up to his full potential.

Understanding Formula One: Brakes

By Michael Griffin

Welcome one and all to the second edition of “Understanding Formula One,” where I am looking to teach you in the fundamental rules and technologies that make up modern Formula One.

Here in this edition, I will look at brakes, which was also heavily discussed in the comments section of the Aerodynamics edition of this series.

A Formula One car is actually closely related to its road-going counterpart when it comes to the art of braking.

Now that ABS anti-skid systems have been banned from Formula One, most modern road cars can lay claim to having considerably cleverer retardation. That sounds slightly embarrassing really, but less aids means better racing…doesn’t it?

The principle of braking is simple, slowing the object by removing kinetic energy from it. Formula One cars have disc brakes, like the vast majority of road cars, with rotating discs, attached to the wheels, being squeezed between two brake pads by the action of a hydraulic calliper.

This turns a car’s momentum into large amounts of heat and light, eagle eyed fans will have noticed the way Formula One brake discs glow yellow hot. Looks cool, doesn’t it?

Lewis Hamilton. 2008 Formula One World Champion. Game Over.

It is now mathematically impossible for Lewis Hamilton to retain the World Drivers Title. It is September of the following year. This is normal in Formula One with a relinquishment rarely happening without only a few races to spare, if any at all!

How many of you thought, however, that it would take this long, 13 races in total, for him to lose his crown following the start of the season that he endured?

A disqualification, the possibility of being thrown out of the Championship after just one round, and a lot of mediocre results had the World Champion genuinely struggling to love the sport he has strived to compete at the top of since he was a very young boy. He was struggling, and due to the current international media machine, it showed, and was visible to the world.

Yet the McLaren Motor Racing Machine based in Woking pulled together, and somehow Lewis slowly mounted a charge, just a case of too little too late really. By the time he got properly up and running, Jenson Button had already won six Grands Prix, and was well on his way to a possible world title.

So we reach the end of the “European Season” and with it, what honestly seems like the strangest of crashes from one of the current driving masters. Nobody will know what Lewis was up to at the first Lesmos corner on the last lap, other than he was pushing too hard. Nobody will be harder on him for that error than himself. Especially considering that it certainly wasn’t a last dash attempt to keep his vague championship hopes alive, as he required Button to finish fifth or lower, and not score any more points all season, as well as for Lewis himself to win every remaining race to be able to retain his crown.

So if this wasn’t the incentive then what was? A fastest lap at the end of a race means nothing, especially since there are no points awarded anymore for the man lapping the quickest in race trim.
In the current generation of computer games left, right and centre, it seems like Hamilton was just going through the motions in “Arcade Mode”, having a bit of fun and almost hoping he’d breeze up to the back of Button and pass with ease.

He ended up with pieces of car all over the road with no way of pushing a “Restart” button.
Championship over Lewis…

GAME OVER

source: bleacher report

Client of the Month – Sharbel Dias

Sharbel Dias is a 22 year old driver aspiring to make it into Formula 1 racing one day. He has no formula racing experience before in the past so he approached Global Racing Schools for help on how to develop himself as a driver so that he can turn professional one day. He wanted to be able to learn how to drive a formula car in the shortest amount of time with a limited budget.

So shortly after working with Sharbel, we developed a training program to suit his needs in order to start his racing career as well as to take part in a crash course to develop his skills further. After much discussions, we developed a 5 day Formula Racing Program for him in New Jersey, USA.

Day 1

The day began with a classroom session on the circuit and also the F2000 Cars. There were about 15 other drivers in the classroom with him as our instructors went through the basics of cornering, circuit diagrams and also the formula car’s characteristics. After a short briefing, the official training start. It started off with a Track drive in a  Chevrolet Malibu to get the students to know specific parts of the track and after that they will put into special side cars. After that, it was back to more classroom learning and a review of the track and cars.

Day 2

After a short continuation of the program in the Side cars, it was time to be fitted into the F2000 Race cars for a test to see the racing lines of the students. Sharbel had to produce laps and racing lines to be recorded by the instructor so that the briefing will be more precisely geared towards learning on the mistakes. In order to further the driving development, the drivers were paired up with a partner with equal driving skills so that they will be able to work as a team to improve and push each other.
Day 3

The day directly into the race cars again. This time Sharbel was allowed to pass on only the stretch and on certain corners. This is to teach the students specific cornering and passing techniques in a controlled environment of racing. However as a beginner, Sharbel did spin out of the track a number of times as he misjudged the corners and entered it at too high a speed. But he managed to catch up and ended up as the lead car before the day’s session was over. By this time, the results on the timing sheets has dropped dramatically and the training was started to push more intensively and aggressively towards a more race competition focused point of coaching.

Day 4

The remaining 2 days of the program included the expertise of a professional driver and he was specially assigned to be paired up with Sharbel in order to advance his learning and driving skills. He was tagged with the driver to watch his racing lines and braking lines which added to more analysis for Sharbel to learn and by the end of the session, Sharbel cut more time from his laps and was almost beating his professional driver team mate in some of the corners. There was intensive analysis done on each lap and the timing based on every corner. After the  day’s session, the students were prepared for an official race situation that was going to take place the following day. This was something Sharbel was thrilled to take part in.

Day 5

The day consisted of 2 qualifying rounds and 2 races to achieve the best overall result. So the night before, Sharbel had been given materials to look through and also to study the strategy for this day.  The day started with 10 minutes of practice session where all the students were pushing the limits of their cars to get the best time. On the practice session, Sharbel was able to catch up to the tail of a more experienced mexican driver and he was getting blocked on every corner of the race. But finally an opportunity came and on turn 9 of the circuit, where sharbel had mastered the cornering technique and line, he passed the driver which added much boost to his confidence for the qualifying session that was to come.

Qualifying came and Sharbel knew he had to stay on the tail of the professional driver as he was the best among the pack. Squeezing out every piece of the track to run on and braking as late as possible, Sharbel managed to qualify in a decent position for the 2 races.

The first Race began and Sharbel managed to be on the lead all the way even beating out the professional driver in the opening laps of the race.  The pro driver was trying to pass him at every corner and pushing his limit at the corners. But the frustration was too much for the professional driver to take and Sharbel managed to keep him at bay for most of time.  Finally at lap 5, he was pushed out of track by an inexperienced driver that was a back marker that wasn’t looking at her mirrors. So in order to avoid a collision, he swirled off track and losing the lead in the process. That was too late for a come back and Sharbel managed a respectable 5th place for the 2nd race.
As the second race began, Sharbel noticed the mexican kid sticking onto the tail of his car right when they started and when the Mexican driver was too close, the driver loss control of his car. After which, Sharbel passed another 4 other drivers to get up to 2nd spot. Looking forward at number 1 spot, he pushed the limits all the way and on the final lap, the gap was not close enough to take over.

As they got into the Pit lanes the pro driver came up and congratulated Sharbel saying he didn’t know he could do what he did. That concluded the 5 day training and he learned so many fundamental techniques such as  learning how to think, how to pass safely and quickly, how to perfect corners, how to learn tracks by oneself and so much more. Many of the instructors were very surprised at the speed and maturity of driving that Sharbel displayed in his maiden race and training session.

Currently Sharbel is getting ready for his 2010 race season with the guidance of Global Racing Schools and we all know this is a young driver to watch for the future and we are giving him our 100% support for it.

KERS to Be Used in Formula One in 2010?

Cutting costs has been one of the biggest topics in F1 recently and it has lead to radical changes in the regulations of both the 2009 and 2010 seasons. One of the biggest contradictions to the overall theme of cost cutting has been the implementation of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System.

Teams have spent large sums attempting to fine tune the new technology which harnesses the normally wasted kinetic energy during braking and converts it into an 80 horsepower boost at the push of a button on the driver’s steering wheel.

For 2009 this feature is optional, but claims that it would become mandatory for the 2010 season were at large earlier this year.

After a series of reliability and safety issues emerged this season due to the devices, Ferrari and McLaren became the only two teams still left with the desire and budget to run it.

It had been suggested that KERS would be abandoned at the end of the season but an article on the official F1 website outlining the new qualifying session layout suggests the contrary. At the end of the article the newly raised minimum weight rule is mentioned.

“Minimum car weight has been raised by 15kg to 620kg, to give teams running KERS more flexibility in terms of weight distribution and set-up, and tyre warmers will still be legal, despite previous talk of the heated blankets being banned.”

The text seems to suggest that KERS will again be an optional feature for the teams. The implementation of an optional KERS system not only goes against the spirit of cutting costs but it also makes for an unbalanced grid with some cars being able to leap to the front at the start of races like Ferrari and McLaren have displayed numerous times this season.

This will also decrease the overtaking opportunities by the cars not running the system as KERS has been used effectively as a defensive tool this season as well.

Why not eliminate KERS and with some of the money saved, allow a little more in season testing? Why not level the grid so that all cars have equal opportunities during the starts and during the races?

source:bleacher report

Luca Badoer Gets His Chance After Michael Schumacher Cancels Comeback

Just as quickly as Michael Schumacher took Felipe Massa’s ride as his replacement, he gave it back. An injured neck, sustained in a motorcycle crash back in February, will keep the German away from the track in Valencia.

While the shock of Schumacher’s non-return is making headlines, what isn’t is the driver who will step in and fill the void while Massa recovers: Look no further than tester Luca Badoer, a driver with the dubious distinction of having driven the most races without scoring a single point.

I’ll go out on a limb and say he’ll end that streak in Valencia. This year’s Ferrari may not be a race winner, but it’ll definitely get into the points, or even on the podium.

So, just how will Luca Badoer do in his role as driver? Of course, this will not be his first go around as an F1 race driver; he raced for Scuderia Italia, Minardi (twice), and Footwork, before taking the role as tester for the most famous of F1 teams.

A simple look at F1 Rejects will tell you the stories of those teams, so it comes as no surprise that Badoer couldn’t score points with any of them.

Plus, luck hasn’t exactly been on his side either. Case and point: Look back to 1999. Schumacher broke his leg at Silverstone and would miss a nice chunk of the season. Badoer, who had just signed as their tester, looked to be set for a drive in (arguably) that season’s best car.

But, as you well know, Mika Salo was given the ride, and Badoer had to keep his role as test driver. And people say Johnny Herbert had the worst luck of an F1 pilot.

It seems only fitting that the Italian (a nice bonus for Ferrari I’m sure) will finally get his chance. Even Luca di Montezemolo admitted the loyalties of the veteran tester, and that he deserved a chance to race.

“We have decided to give Luca Badoer the chance to race for the Scuderia after he has put in so many years of hard work as a test driver,” said the Ferrari president.

So, what could be a realistic result for Badoer on his return to a race seat? Given that the car is not for it, and that we’re unsure of his own capabilities as a racer, a win is a little too much to expect of him, especially on his first outing.

However, as I said earlier, points should definitely be in the cards. The Ferrari F60 has improved greatly through the year, and has turned into a solid points scorer, if not a podium contender. A finish up in the top eight would do very well.

source: bleacher report

F1 Unable To Get Rid of Michael Schumacher despite Best Efforts

Michael Schumacher will make a shocking return to Formula One this month despite his advancing years and lack of experience in the new Formula One cars.

His return is not a surprise to many who are involved with the sport, as the German even admits, he’s just been waiting for someone to ask him to drive.

“I’ve been hanging around dropping hints to all the bosses, but no one would get it,” exclaimed the 40-year-old German. “I’ve been bored out of my mind. I tried to convince people I was the Stig, and then they saw I couldn’t drive a normal car. I even tried motorcycles, but I kept falling off”.

Despite his desperation to get back into a Formula One car, others were not so keen to see him around.

FOTA seemed certain they would never have him race again. After crisis meetings earlier this season, all the teams agreed to ignore Schumacher in the paddock, hoping he would just go away.

“We all liked his brother, but Michael just won’t let it go,” explained an unnamed team owner. “He’s like that kid who’s too big to join in but still tries; none of us have spoken to him in two months, but still he’s here”.

The crisis talks were well-documented in the press, but FOTA and the FIA managed to keep the topic secret by making phoney press statements about less important issues.

Unfortunately, Felipe Massa’s accident could not have come at a worse time for those involved in Formula One.

Formula One tried promoting the test drivers and teenagers in its circuit, but in a disastrous turn of events, it appears many of those drivers have yet to pass a basic road safety test and are unable to drive.

This oversight has left Ferrari with little choice but to return the calls of the former world champion and allow him to drive.  But even now, Williams, Red Bull, and Toro Rosso are openly plotting against the man who made the sport so boring by winning everything.  And it’s not just them.

It has been overheard at several dinner tables that the Drivers’ Association are teaming up with FOTA and the FIA to make things as difficult as possible for Schumacher in the hope his failure will discourage him from being around.

Sebastian Vettel was overheard this week claiming, “We’re all going to block his moves and make sure he finishes in the bottom four or five; that will teach him”.

This coming from a young German who no doubt saw the man as an idol a few short years ago.

Apparently, the self-proclaimed “King of Racing” has outstayed his welcome in the paddock, and everyone involved in the sport will be doing all they can to stop him in Valencia, hoping the humiliation will force him away for good.

The question is: Can they stop this once-great racing driver?

Source: bleacher report

Pic: Getty Image

Michael Schumacher Is Coming Back To Formula One

Driver In Focus: Mark Webber

Mark Webber was born on the 27^thof August 1976 in Queanbeyan , Australia.

He started his relationship with sport at a young age, working as a ball boy for premiership winning rugby league team, the Canberra Raiders, during the late 1980s. However, motorsport was where his interest lay, later listing Formula One World Champion Alain Prost and Grand Prix motorcycle racer Kevin Schwantz as his childhood heroes.

Starting out racing motorcycles, Webber moved to four wheels in 1991, taking up karting at the age of 14. He won the New South Wales state championship in 1993, and moved straight into the Australian Formula Ford Championship after his father bought him an ex-Craig Lowndes Van Diemen FF1600.

Global Racing Schools Latest Promotions

Panoramic view of Barcelona

Price: Euro 1655 ( 2 Person with VAT Included)

If you are looking for a Unique Valentine’s Day Gift that is likely to be the highlight of your loved one’s year, be sure to read on. Finding a Valentine’s Day Gift for a loved one can be daunting, with so many options, contemplating what they would like or dislike. Take a departure from the norm of buying a physical gift and instead, buy them an experience that will be firmly embedded in their minds for years to come.

Global Racing Schools is introducing a special racing program package, which caters for couples just for Valentine’s Day. If you wish to pamper or wow a loved one with a unique gift experience, this is what you would want to consider. It is not biased to either gender, with activities for both to enjoy. Whether it’s a relaxing steam bath, or a heart pumping drive in a Sports Car, we cater to enjoyment for both parties.
This package will be set in the beautiful city of Barcelona in Spain.  This package will start off with a pick up from the airport to your Hotel. You’ll be staying at a 5 Star Hotel.

You can experience a sense of place unlike any in Spain. As an artfully restored hilltop palace overlooking the world-famous Las Ramblas neighbourhood, this stylish Barcelona luxury hotel blends 1920s grandeur with cool, contemporary design.

Savour the casual intimacy and personal service afforded by our 75 rooms, or indulge in gourmet Mediterranean and Spanish cuisine at the elegant Forestier Restaurant. Sip morning coffee on your private balcony, overlooking stunning views of downtown Barcelona and the Mediterranean beyond. Find tranquil repose by the edge of our mesmerising outdoor pool, or take an evening stroll through the Montjuïc i Llobera Botanical Gardens.

W have arranged a range of activities that is bound to tickle your senses.

Day 1: Ladies Day
•    Welcome drink upon arrival
•    Bottle of Cava and strawberries with chocolate in the room upon arrival
•    Buffet Breakfast served in the Forestier Restaurant
•    Romantic Candle lit dinner for two in the Forestier Restaurant
•    Romantic Bubble Bath with aromatic candles, rose petals and bath salts
•    Complimentary access to the Spa

Day 2: Gentlemen’s Day
-    We will pick you up at your hotel and bring you to the race track
-    You will get to drive a Lamborghini Gallardo with our instructor
-    Learn about driving techniques and ways to control such a powerful machine
-    Drive a H2 Hummer around the track with instructions
-    Finally Race around the track in a track prepared Mitsubishi Evo
-    Snacks and Refreshments will be provided

That will conclude your 2 day Valentine’s day Getaway. We will take you back to the airport for your flight home.

Contact us now for your bookings. Email: info@globalracingschools.com

Client of the Month – Marcus Xing

Marcus Xing is a 23 year old young man that is interested in racing. He has no experience and has never been involved with the sport before. However given his age and considerable lack of experience, he is still interested to become a professional racer which would eventually lead him to race in Europe.
So he approached Global Racing Schools for help on advice on how to proceed with his racing career aspirations as he has just completed a disastrous formula training program from a popular school in Thailand. So Global Racing Schools set him up on a Program in Philippines to conduct his racing initiation program for 5 days based on a customized program cater to his learning curve.

Day 1 – Day 3 ( 1 on 1 kart training)
His first challenge was to learn all the fundamental racing techniques of racing and to do so he used the most fundamental and basic form of racing; Go Kart( Tony kart with 125cc Rotax Engine). He was set up for a 3 day 1 on 1 karting training program followed by a 2 day Touring car Package. The karting program’s focus was to instill the basic sense of racing lines, braking lines, entry and exit strategies to achieve a perfect lap.

Under the guidance of 2 kart engineers and 2 race instructors, his intense program included over 200 laps of karting that included:

• Entry/ Strategies
• Pace Kart overtaking maneuvers
• Racing Lines
• Braking Lines and many more

With a zestful spirit to learn and a determination to get the most out of the program, Marcus started out with a bang to finish the 3 day karting program 7 seconds faster than his initial time on the 1st day. On top of that dipping below the track average timing which is considerable amazing considering his lack of experience in karting and racing. On the completion of Day 3, Marcus had a good knowledge of Racing fundamentals on track and was ready to take on Touring car racing.

Day 4 – 5 ( 1 on 1 Touring Car Training)

The final 2 days of the program was to have private training on a Race Prepped Touring car. After the rough and tumble of a go kart, sitting in a touring car had an immense difference on the driver’s physical body so he was able to make even better use of it.

The 2 days of training was focused on techniques such as:

• Heel/ Toe Techniques for downshifting properly
• Positioning of the car on track
• Oversteer and understeer, what they are and how to correct or solve them
• When to apply the power and how this affects the overall corner speed and balance of the
• When and how hard to brake
• Vision and how important it is to be looking through the corner and many more.

By the end of the Touring Car Program, Marcus managed to beat the timings of more experienced drivers due to his intensive training and accelerated learning curve. Fully satisfied with the program, Global Racing Schools is currently arranging a long term goal for him to get his advanced FIA License so as to race in the British Touring Car Championship within 3 years.

Global Racing Schools can do the same for you. With a network of schools, race teams on almost any circuit in the world, we specialize in any form of racing consultation in regards to competition and training in all categories ( Rallying, Karting, Touring car etc).

So contact us today for your customized program that will save you the trouble of  “Trail and error” learning that only leads to a waste of your financial resources and time. It is about time you left your racing career to real professionals that have the experience and contacts to get you to where you want to be.

Thank you for your choosing Global Racing Schools for your racing requirements

Contact us now for all your race training and driving experiences needs!