Driving a car is not only about learning traffic rules, but also about developing skills that can be useful in extreme situations. Regular driving schools focus on safe and legal driving on public roads. In contrast, racing schools teach a completely different driving technique, where the goal is not so much safety as achieving the best results on the racetrack. In this article, we will explore which techniques are prohibited in regular driving schools but are an essential part of training in racing schools.
Driving Style in Regular Driving Schools vs. Racing Schools
Training in regular driving schools is usually focused on ensuring that drivers can safely navigate public roads. This means following traffic rules, avoiding accidents, and interacting properly with other road users. The main principles are speed limits, maintaining distance, and using mirrors and turn signals.
In contrast, racing schools teach a different technique. Here, the priority is on maximizing speed, aggressive handling, and improving lap times. Some maneuvers that are commonly used in racing are impossible to imagine in everyday traffic, as they create high risks for other road users. However, in a controlled racing environment, these maneuvers are safe and necessary to win races.
Drifting: The Art of Controlled Skidding
One of the most famous and striking examples of a technique that is forbidden in regular driving schools but allowed in racing schools is drifting. This trick involves a controlled skid of the car, where the rear wheels lose traction with the road, but the driver maintains control of the vehicle through throttle, braking, and steering. In regular driving, drifting is considered dangerous and unpredictable. It can lead to a loss of control and a potential accident.
In racing schools, however, drifting is an essential part of training, especially on slippery surfaces or in circuit racing. Knowing the proper drifting technique allows drivers not only to improve their results but also to handle various situations on the track, where sharp turns and changes in road grip are a common occurrence.
Sudden Braking and Emergency Maneuvers
In regular driving schools, drivers are usually taught gradual braking and paying attention to the situation on the road. In everyday traffic, sudden braking can lead to accidents, especially if there is another vehicle following behind. In regular situations, drivers are taught to act calmly and predictably.
In racing schools, however, drivers learn “emergency braking” — sharply reducing speed in the shortest possible distance. This technique is used to quickly enter a turn or avoid a collision with other cars on the track. In racing conditions, drivers are also trained in maneuvers that allow them to jump over obstacles or avoid collisions with other competitors at high speeds.
Full-Speed Races and Aggressive Maneuvers
In regular driving schools, drivers are taught to drive within speed limits and adhere to traffic regulations. Aggressive driving is generally unacceptable and can result in fines. However, in racing schools, aggressive maneuvering and full-speed driving are core parts of training. Here, drivers are not only taught how to accelerate and brake correctly but also how to push the car to its limits.
Racing at high speeds in conditions of limited visibility or while maneuvering among other participants is an integral part of training, allowing racers to develop intuition and reflexes that are crucial for winning.
Braking Technique in Turns
One of the most important aspects of racing training is the braking technique in turns. Racing schools teach a special technique where braking occurs right in the middle of the turn, using the brakes at the moment when the front wheels begin to lose traction. This technique allows the driver to accelerate quickly out of the turn, which is vital in racing.
In regular driving schools, braking in turns is forbidden, as it can lead to a loss of traction and cause an accident. On regular roads, braking in turns is extremely dangerous, especially in rain or snow conditions.
Car Control Techniques During Lane Changes
Another feature allowed on racetracks but prohibited in regular driving is aggressive lane changing or “lateral” maneuvers at high speeds. In racing, such maneuvers are often used to quickly overtake competitors or gain a more favorable position on the track. On regular roads, such maneuvers can be dangerous and lead to accidents, as drivers in regular cars are not always prepared for sudden lane changes, especially at high speeds.
Conclusion
While many techniques used in racing schools may seem dangerous to the average driver, in the context of racing and specialized training, they make sense and are necessary for success. However, it’s important to remember that these maneuvers are not only prohibited on regular roads but are also highly dangerous. Training in regular driving schools is aimed at ensuring the safety of the driver and other road users, whereas racing schools teach more aggressive and specialized driving. It is crucial to understand that, beyond the racetrack, safety should always come first.