TRACK University · free
Learn the lap before you drive it.
Coaching for track days and club racing, written by drivers for drivers. Interactive guides, a structured course, a plain-English glossary and the calculators you actually use in the paddock.
- 62
- Terms
- 32
- Guides
- 6
- Lessons
- 6
- Tools
01Start here · course
HPDE Foundations
Everything a new track-day driver needs for their first HPDE weekends: preparing the car, reading the flags, looking ahead, braking, the line and car balance.
- Prepare a car and yourself for tech inspection and a full day on track.
- Recognise the common flags, give clear point-bys and use the pit lane safely.
- Pick braking, turn-in, apex and track-out reference points and look far enough ahead to use them.
- Brake firmly in a straight line, release smoothly and recognise brake fade before it becomes a problem.
- 01Before you go: preparing car and driverTech inspection basics, the gear to pack, what happens at the drivers’ meeting, and how run groups keep your first day calm.9 min
- 02Flags and on-track etiquetteWhat the common flags mean, how point-bys and passing zones work, pit lane entry and exit, and why the cool-down lap matters.10 min
- 03Vision and reference pointsLook far ahead, pick reliable braking, turn-in, apex and track-out references, and let your hands and feet follow your eyes smoothly.9 min
- 04Braking fundamentalsBrake hard in a straight line, release smoothly, recognise brake fade early, and understand why trail braking is a skill for later.11 min
- 05The racing lineTurn-in, apex and track-out explained, why a late apex is the safe default, and why exit speed onto a long straight matters most.10 min
- 06Grip and car balanceHow weight transfer and the friction circle shape grip, how to recognise understeer and oversteer, and what to do when a spin is coming.12 min
02Interactive guides
Play with the physics.
- 9 min read
The racing line
The racing line is the path that lets you carry the most speed through a corner and out onto the next straight. How turn-in, apex and track-out fit together.
Read the guide → - 10 min read
Trail braking
Trail braking means easing off the brake progressively as you turn in, instead of finishing braking in a straight line. Why it works, when to learn it and how to practise.
Read the guide → - 8 min read
Oversteer vs understeer
Understeer is when the front tires lose grip and the car runs wide; oversteer is when the rear lets go and the car rotates too much. Here’s how to tell and react.
Read the guide → - 8 min read
What is HPDE?
HPDE is coached, non-competitive driving on a real race track in your own car. How run groups, instructors and classroom work, and how it differs from racing.
Read the guide → - 8 min read
Your first track day: what to expect
A timeline of a first track day: arrival, registration, tech, drivers’ meeting, your first session, classroom, and when to call it a day.
Read the guide → - 7 min read
Track day checklist: what to bring and prepare
A practical track day checklist for the car, the driver and the paddock: fluids, tools, tire gauge, helmet, clothing, food, water and paperwork.
Read the guide →
03Car setups
Set up your car, not a generic one.
Alignment starting points, tires, pads, known issues and a mod roadmap for 29 platforms, every number with its source.
Find your car- BMWM3 E36 (US)
- BMWM3 E46
- BMWM3 E90 / E92 / E93
- BMWM3 / M4 F80 / F82
- BMWM2 F87 (incl. Competition)
- ChevroletCorvette Z06 C5
- ChevroletCorvette (base / Z51 / Grand Sport / Z06) C6
- ChevroletCorvette Stingray Z51 / Grand Sport / Z06 C7
- FordMustang GT / Boss 302 S197
- FordMustang GT Performance Pack / Shelby GT350 S550
- ChevroletCamaro SS 1LE 6th gen
- MazdaMX-5 Miata NA / NB
- MazdaMX-5 Miata NC
- MazdaMX-5 Miata ND (incl. ND2)
- Toyota / Subaru / Scion86 / BRZ / FR-S First generation (ZN6 / ZC6)
- Toyota / SubaruGR86 / BRZ Second generation (ZN8 / ZD8)
- Nissan350Z / 370Z Z33 / Z34
- HondaS2000 AP1 / AP2
04Glossary
Speak paddock.
62 terms from apex to slip angle, each with a plain-English definition, why it matters and how to see it in your data.
Open the glossary05Paddock tools
Do the maths. Free.
Gear ratio & speed calculator
Work out top speed in every gear, engine RPM at any speed and the RPM drop on each upshift from your tire size, gear ratios and final drive.
Hot / cold tire pressure calculator
Predict hot tire pressure from your cold setting and temperatures, or work back from a hot target to the cold pressure to set in the paddock.
Corner weight & cross weight calculator
Enter the four scale readings to get total weight, front and left percentages and cross weight, and see which way to adjust ride heights.
Fuel calculator
How much fuel you need for a session or stint, from your lap time, consumption per lap and session length, with a safety margin.
Lap time & average speed calculator
Convert lap time to average speed and back for any track length, and see how far behind a tenth of a second puts you.
Car setup sheet
A free setup sheet for track days: tire pressures and temperatures, alignment, ride height, dampers and notes. Saves in your browser and prints cleanly.