Off-track recovery

Sooner or later, a wheel or two will drop off the pavement. The instinct is to yank the car back onto the track immediately. That is dangerous: as the tires on the grass meet the pavement edge, they suddenly regain grip, and the car can snap across the track or spin into traffic.

Instead, keep the wheel as straight as you can, ease off the throttle smoothly, and brake gently if needed. Let the car slow down in the grass or runoff. Once you are under control and at a much lower speed, look for traffic and for the corner worker's signal, then rejoin carefully, ideally parallel to the track and off the racing line.

If all four wheels are off and the car is not slowing in a straight line, use the spin procedure: both feet in. Afterward, check your mirrors for damage or debris, and most organizations require you to come in and report an off. Gravel and grass in the radiator or wheels are common after a trip into the runoff.