Everything they should’ve taught you in driver’s ed, but didn’t.

When it comes to getting from A to B as fast and as safely as possible in a Porsche, Daniel Morad is something of an expert. That’s why we enlisted the GT3 Cup Car driver to help us be better behind the wheel of our Porsche. According to Morad, these three broad tips are the building blocks, the fundamentals, of great driving. Remember, being a “good driver” on the track is not the same as being a good driver on public roads. Please drive your Porsche responsibly and respectfully.

Brake like you know what you’re doing

Using the brakes sounds like an easy part of driving. But Morad disagrees. “Braking is one of the most difficult parts of driving.” And it isn’t just about slamming your foot to the floor—there are four parts to braking. “First, there’s the break point (where you initially choose to touch the pedal); second, brake pressure (the maximum pressure you’re going to apply); third, the brake release point (when you start releasing the brake); and fourth, the rate of release, or how quickly you come off the pedal,” explains Morad. Master them to become a better driver. Always look ahead Vision is arguably the most important thing to consider when driving. “If you’re not looking at where you’re going, you’re not going to get to that point,” says Morad. Basically, you want stay one step ahead of your next move. “If you’re making a right-hand turn and then a quick left-hand turn immediately after, you need to be looking left as you make the right-hand turn.” It’s all about setting yourself up for the next move. “This practice is good for avoidance, too,” says Morad. 

Set your seat and hand position “

Seat position and hand position is the number one thing in terms of driving a car fast,” says Morad. You’ve got to feel the car, so you know what’s going on—especially at high speeds. And if your arms and legs aren’t in the proper place, the rest of your drive will be off because your back won’t be against the seat. “Make sure that the wheel is close enough to you, so you’re not reaching for it,” says Morad. “You want your wrist just over the wheel, and your shoulders to connect to the back of the seat.” Also, bend your knees (think golf lessons). “When you’re braking with full brake force, if you’re fully extended already, you have no leverage in your legs,” says Morad. So by bending, you give yourself more power. And we all want that behind the wheel.

 

 

 Also, hands should be a nine and three—not the dated 10 and two that we learned in driving school. And never take your hands off the wheel or move them around. “Always have your thumbs lightly resting on the spoke of the wheel,” suggest Morad. “And don’t shuffle the wheel. All modern cars have all of the buttons you need within reach of the thumbs at nine and three.”

Morad is finishing a busy race season, with the next race scheduled in Trois-Rivières, GP3R Grand Prix circuit on August 12-14 and the final race weekend at Mosport on September 2- 4. Tune into our social channels and www.porschecentreoakvillemotorsport.com to catch the sure-to-be-thrilling conclusion to the 2016 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge.  

Date Posted: August 11, 2016