Applying Snap-In and Track-Outs
Applying the snap-in and the track-outs has to do with the skill of timing. Only through seat time and experience, will you pick up this skill. When you arrive at the track and you’ve already found the apexes for each of the corners, previously discussed, in the blog post, “In what is an apex?” There is a process when you are on the track and the term most people will use is “build your speed”. This doesn’t mean drive slow at the start and then drive faster with every lap. However, what you are doing is finding the snap-in and track-out points of each corner once you’ve got the race line down. This timing of your snap-ins and track-out will help with you becoming a more efficient driver around the track resulting in faster lap times.
it is okay to slide before the apex but if you are sliding after the apex, you are losing time.
The term “snap-in” or “turn-in” point refers to the movement of the steering wheel to upset the kart to hit your desired apex. Ideally, this is done in one smooth motion. If you are making big corrections after your initial snap-in, then you’ve done it wrong. This is also known as “seesawing” the steering wheel. Big movements will result in a loss of momentum and therefore a loss in time. Keep in mind, that your result in seesawing may also be from the way you’re braking or throttling the kart in conjunction with your steering input. Continue to practice the corner till you’ve timed the snap-in right along with very little corrections. As you progress in your speed on approaching a corner that you’ve been working on, you will also have to adjust the snap-in point along with the type of steering input needed.
The “track-out” of the corner starts its process as soon as you get back on the throttle. In many cases, this happens after you’ve hit the apex. However, when you start pushing on the throttle, you’ve initiated the track-out process. The best way that I can explain the feeling of track-out, is if you are in a car and driving in a circle. When you start to drive faster in that circle, your car will start to push or understeer outward, making a bigger circle than what you were trying to maintain. When the car starts to lose its grip, you’ve gone too fast. Just before that though, you’ve reached the maximum speed for the grip of the tires that you have. Finding that sweet spot of the fastest possible speed without losing grip is what you are trying to accomplish. As you transition from the apex to “tracking-out” you are trying to maintain momentum but also keeping your grip. A simple reminder that I tell new drivers, it is okay to slide before the apex but if you are sliding after the apex, you are losing time.
Your snap-in and track-out will only improve with practice. Eventually, you will be able to instinctively do this and adapt quickly to new tracks. Remember that every kart is going to behave differently even on the same course. It can even behave differently with the same kart and the same course by different times of the day and weather! As long as you have that understanding, you will continue to progress with your snap-in and track-outs.