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Going Faster! Mastering the Art of Race Driving
This complete racer's reference is the perfect resource for all drivers from novice to expert. The fundamentals of fast driving are revealed in this definitive how-to book for racers. You will find the competition-proven methods of instructors and of professional drivers that will give you the know-how to work up the track and stay at the front. Going Faster! reveals the collective racing wisdom Skip Barber Racing School instructors have accumulated over the past 25 years. Foreword by Danny Sullivan. Contributing Mario Andretti, Skip Barber, Robbie Buhl, Jeremy Dale, Terry Earwood, Bryan Herta, David Loring, Jim Pace, Dorsey Schroeder, Carroll Smith, Danny Sullivan, and Brian Till.
278 pages, Hardcover
First published June 24, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Currently reading
June 26, 2018I bought this book as my main source of guidance in order to improve my times on Sim-Racing such as for the FIA Championship hosted by GT Sport and all I can say is wow. Carl Lopez indeed goes in-depth (or at least for those of us novice Racers) with the main concepts such as Limit Cornering, Attitude of an Apex and various methods of tackling hairpins just to name a few.
I will be updating this once I have completed this. I was just too excited to have my word out there as my times have dramatically improved!
I will be updating this once I have completed this. I was just too excited to have my word out there as my times have dramatically improved!
June 17, 2017
Pros:
- This book tells you how to race your car in complete physics and maths, philosophy have no place here
- The calculations are easy to grasp provided that you have a good high school math basic
- Still not convinced? The book deliver solid computer analysis to prove the effectiveness of the techniques described
- It guides you when to switch plan based on variables that affect line, wear and tear etc.
- It teach you how to analyze the track and limit of your car without crashing, and if you did crash, they'll teach you how to do it properly
- There's some advice on gaining sponsorship
- You'll learn how to adapt to varying environment and situation
- Some cool tricks are hidden inside
- Have it crossed your mind that you can communicate and team up with a rival driver? You'll learn how
- The chapters cover almost EVERYTHING on and off track.
Cons
- The two chapters dedicated to car setup almost makes no sense
- Certain techniques are not elaborated deep enough
- Circuit racing ONLY
Buy this NOW!
- This book tells you how to race your car in complete physics and maths, philosophy have no place here
- The calculations are easy to grasp provided that you have a good high school math basic
- Still not convinced? The book deliver solid computer analysis to prove the effectiveness of the techniques described
- It guides you when to switch plan based on variables that affect line, wear and tear etc.
- It teach you how to analyze the track and limit of your car without crashing, and if you did crash, they'll teach you how to do it properly
- There's some advice on gaining sponsorship
- You'll learn how to adapt to varying environment and situation
- Some cool tricks are hidden inside
- Have it crossed your mind that you can communicate and team up with a rival driver? You'll learn how
- The chapters cover almost EVERYTHING on and off track.
Cons
- The two chapters dedicated to car setup almost makes no sense
- Certain techniques are not elaborated deep enough
- Circuit racing ONLY
Buy this NOW!
July 24, 2011
Going fast takes a lot more than strong motors and big balls!
February 12, 2024
So, up front the book itself is definitely dated. From what I can tell it was first released in the late 90's, so a few things have changed. With that said, the fundamentals of racing haven't changed much even though technology and the racing environment has. If you want to know about the latest car developments this book isn't going to help you much, but if you want to understand general concepts it works just fine.
I should also mention that the book is very up front about being focused on road racing. For those looking for drag racing, ovals, or AX it isn't the focus. However, general principles once again apply. Trying to go around a corner fast on a track isn't that much different than an AX course in theory.
The book starts off with some fundamentals - cornering, grip, weight transfer, finding the racing line, etc. For my friends who have been driving a few years nothing should come as a major shock, but some reinforcement is always a good thing. I will note that their approach matches Vivek Goel's "Beyond Seat Time" website better than I expected (and I really need to get back to that site again this winter) although their approach is definitely different. One portion I found particularly interesting was on diagnosing errors - essentially, if you feel X you are probably doing Y. I hadn't seen that before and as someone who doesn't have a great intuitive feel for car control I can see it being helpful.
The next sections are a little more focused on things that apply primarily to road racing. Things like how to qualify, passing, accidents, etc. are covered and while they aren't useless to anyone else they are definitely more focused on the core audience for this book.
Next up the book spends a good deal of time talking about tires and mechanical adjustments. I found the mechanical adjustment section particularly interesting since it took some things I've learned over the years and put some theory and basis behind it, rather that just "listen to the person faster than me and assume they know what they're talking about". It didn't contradict the conventional wisdom around the paddock, but put things on a better footing for me.
Last up the book looks at different types of racing and becoming a professional. Since I don't have the inclination (or honestly the talent) to become a professional I didn't think this was particularly helpful from an advice standpoint, but the quotes from long-time racers were interesting. I don't know enough about the different series the book covers to know how relevant that section is, but I suspect a lot has changed in 25 years or so.
Overall, the book was a good read. They made an effort to simplify some difficult concepts, and I thought did a good job of it. The writing was generally solid, although again being an older book I think a modern editor would approach some things a bit differently. For those interested in racing in any form, I think it is worth your time.
I should also mention that the book is very up front about being focused on road racing. For those looking for drag racing, ovals, or AX it isn't the focus. However, general principles once again apply. Trying to go around a corner fast on a track isn't that much different than an AX course in theory.
The book starts off with some fundamentals - cornering, grip, weight transfer, finding the racing line, etc. For my friends who have been driving a few years nothing should come as a major shock, but some reinforcement is always a good thing. I will note that their approach matches Vivek Goel's "Beyond Seat Time" website better than I expected (and I really need to get back to that site again this winter) although their approach is definitely different. One portion I found particularly interesting was on diagnosing errors - essentially, if you feel X you are probably doing Y. I hadn't seen that before and as someone who doesn't have a great intuitive feel for car control I can see it being helpful.
The next sections are a little more focused on things that apply primarily to road racing. Things like how to qualify, passing, accidents, etc. are covered and while they aren't useless to anyone else they are definitely more focused on the core audience for this book.
Next up the book spends a good deal of time talking about tires and mechanical adjustments. I found the mechanical adjustment section particularly interesting since it took some things I've learned over the years and put some theory and basis behind it, rather that just "listen to the person faster than me and assume they know what they're talking about". It didn't contradict the conventional wisdom around the paddock, but put things on a better footing for me.
Last up the book looks at different types of racing and becoming a professional. Since I don't have the inclination (or honestly the talent) to become a professional I didn't think this was particularly helpful from an advice standpoint, but the quotes from long-time racers were interesting. I don't know enough about the different series the book covers to know how relevant that section is, but I suspect a lot has changed in 25 years or so.
Overall, the book was a good read. They made an effort to simplify some difficult concepts, and I thought did a good job of it. The writing was generally solid, although again being an older book I think a modern editor would approach some things a bit differently. For those interested in racing in any form, I think it is worth your time.
November 11, 2022
Fabulous, should be required reading for everyone wanting to learn to go faster (in a car, on a track!).
It was for me both of i) clear and simple and ii) complicated and technical. Around the half-way point I stopped and re-read the preceding four chapters. Comments such as "as we learned in Chapter {x} ..." made me realize that just "reading for surface comprehension" was going to be inadequate. I had to read to memorize, and to understand the concepts more deeply.
E.g. will the rear end get light with more throttle or less? The answer is "it depends", and thus the need to understand how it all works.
I could have used a clearer explanation of "it depends" earlier on.
I like that there are chapters on the life of a racer, what one needs to know and do beyond being a formidable driver, about calculating the costs in terms beyond monetary. That's thorough, and realistic.
The book focusses on racing on paved tracks. It doesn't say that in the title. If you're a kart-racer or a dirt-track racer (or a snow-and-ice racer or a rally-racer), then the principles in this book will be worth learning, but those specific scenarios receive scant to no attention.
Again, overall, a must-read for those who want to know about this topic!
It was for me both of i) clear and simple and ii) complicated and technical. Around the half-way point I stopped and re-read the preceding four chapters. Comments such as "as we learned in Chapter {x} ..." made me realize that just "reading for surface comprehension" was going to be inadequate. I had to read to memorize, and to understand the concepts more deeply.
E.g. will the rear end get light with more throttle or less? The answer is "it depends", and thus the need to understand how it all works.
I could have used a clearer explanation of "it depends" earlier on.
I like that there are chapters on the life of a racer, what one needs to know and do beyond being a formidable driver, about calculating the costs in terms beyond monetary. That's thorough, and realistic.
The book focusses on racing on paved tracks. It doesn't say that in the title. If you're a kart-racer or a dirt-track racer (or a snow-and-ice racer or a rally-racer), then the principles in this book will be worth learning, but those specific scenarios receive scant to no attention.
Again, overall, a must-read for those who want to know about this topic!
December 30, 2023
Fantastic, in-depth book!
WARNING: this is NOT for newcomers to motorsport.
I'd highly recommend reading an entry-level book before jumping into this as the physics, information and detail will overwhelm you, which ultimately won't result in faster lap times or better racing.
Whilst it's optimised for open seaters, i have used the ideas in Karting and GT sim racing and it has very good carry-over (be wary of applying the same physics from one group/type of car to another).
WARNING: this is NOT for newcomers to motorsport.
I'd highly recommend reading an entry-level book before jumping into this as the physics, information and detail will overwhelm you, which ultimately won't result in faster lap times or better racing.
Whilst it's optimised for open seaters, i have used the ideas in Karting and GT sim racing and it has very good carry-over (be wary of applying the same physics from one group/type of car to another).
October 7, 2019
It's been a while since I have read this personally considering I started racing in 2012 (sim racing in 2011, which is when I read this book). But I can tell you I have passed it around to new racers like a well used "racing bible."
This was the first book I touched when I first found myself wanting to get into racing. Like many others, my passion started from playing video games. This gradually grew into an "unhealthy" competitive desire to be better than everyone else at anything involving 2 - 4 wheels.
Enter sim-racing...
$1000's of dollars spent on computer wizardry and sim equipment no sane hobbyist should ever purchase.
Enter real racing...
Some $30,000 later, I realized I had an addiction.
No matter how much money you spend on sim equipment or go fast bits for your car you can't escape being completely inept at something new.
So:
I read this book from front to back with no delusions of being the next great racing driver.
This is hands down the best, ground up approach to learning how to pilot your vehicle at speed around a race track (or become even better at driving on the street, lord knows some of you guys need help)
Cold hard race driving facts. No BS. Easy to understand.
Nothing will help you cut down more time on track than understanding why your car is doing what it's doing, why you messed up, and how to correct it.
That's all you need to know.
If this book could add anything, It would tell me how to suck less at driving a FWD race car.
The second best thing to this book is a GPS Lap Analyzer...
This was the first book I touched when I first found myself wanting to get into racing. Like many others, my passion started from playing video games. This gradually grew into an "unhealthy" competitive desire to be better than everyone else at anything involving 2 - 4 wheels.
Enter sim-racing...
$1000's of dollars spent on computer wizardry and sim equipment no sane hobbyist should ever purchase.
Enter real racing...
Some $30,000 later, I realized I had an addiction.
No matter how much money you spend on sim equipment or go fast bits for your car you can't escape being completely inept at something new.
So:
I read this book from front to back with no delusions of being the next great racing driver.
This is hands down the best, ground up approach to learning how to pilot your vehicle at speed around a race track (or become even better at driving on the street, lord knows some of you guys need help)
Cold hard race driving facts. No BS. Easy to understand.
Nothing will help you cut down more time on track than understanding why your car is doing what it's doing, why you messed up, and how to correct it.
That's all you need to know.
If this book could add anything, It would tell me how to suck less at driving a FWD race car.
The second best thing to this book is a GPS Lap Analyzer...
April 29, 2024
BOAT LOADS of hugely valuable information, from technical, to racecraft, phsycology, and everything in between! Highly recommend this to anyone going into racing!
November 18, 2009
I haven't read them all, but this is certainly my favorite book about the techniques and principles of race driving. I read it when I first did a Skip Barber class in 2007, and again before a lapping day in 2009. The diagrams and photos are slick, clear and extremely informative, and the sound bites from experts like Danny Sullivan, Dorsey Schroeder, Brian Till fill in the chalk talk with actual experience. (It's no surprise that all of those have gone on to successful broadcast careers.)
January 16, 2010
Fairly technical, with copious diagrams and discussions of racing technique. The occasional anecdotes are rather dry, but usually serve to illustrate a point. Recommended for anyone interested in racing and isn't afraid of a small amount of abstract math.
March 31, 2014
Absolutely brilliant! From the basic, that any driver should know, to professional racing intricacies
October 18, 2007
Schmidt needs to spend more time reading this and less time growing a mustache.
November 22, 2015
Wish there was a bit more technical detail, but a great overview of racing technique nonetheless.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews