Articles to date have included "Driving or car control", "Safe and fit to drive?" "Are you seated comfortably" and a two part piece "On the Road". Now it's time to discuss the techniques of cornering, and how you will learn to love them. Many years ago, a certain race driver went off at a notorious bend at the Silverstone track. The commentator then asked "what happened" expecting the usual laundry list of excuses - the brakes failed, a tire blew, someone did…. Etc. Instead, the driver said, "Well, half way around the corner, I ran out of talent", which left everyone speechless and rolling around with laughter. Although funny, the one thing we must not do when cornering or driving is to "run out of talent". Through experience most of you know how to corner. Some may do it faster than others perhaps because of a different line. Remember the old corner adage, fast in, slow out, or slow in, fast out. How might we put framework into the process to ensure a speed through the corner that is appropriate, and above all, the safest way to take that corner? It is the "Limit point of a corner". It certainly is not the fastest way around the corner, but unquestionably, it is the safest. The limit point is the furthest point along a road to which you have a clear view of the road surface. The limit point is based on the assumption that just around the corner, beyond your line of sight there is a hazard. You must be able to stop on your own side of the road, in the distance that you can see Park at the side of a road. Look at the bend or corner, and where the two sides of the road come together at one point, that is the limit point. It is the limit, where given your position on the road and the degree of bend, that you can see. You might like to see further, but the trees, the hedge, cliffs etc. won't let that happen. So, knowing where the limit point is, you need to match your speed and be able to stop at that point. This is known as "matching the limit point".

As you round the corner, the limit point will either open or close. If it opens, you can maintain a balanced throttle until the point "runs", at which stage you can apply more power. If it closes down, you will need to consider lifting off the throttle and maybe braking. The more severe the corner, once the limit point opens, the faster the limit point will run. In fact, in some cases you can not accelerate fast enough to catch the limit point.

We are approaching the bend. We assess the bend, taking into account road signs indicating a left, right or double bend [the sign defines it]. Mirror, position, speed which may involve braking, picking up the limit point, matching the speed to the point, rounding the bend, and then accelerating as the point starts to run. The further away the limit point is, the faster you can go because you have more stopping space.

To ensure correct positioning and knowing exactly where your right hand road wheel is placed, practice running on the right hand white line, not alongside it, but on it. Positioning becomes key to the whole concept of the limit point. On a left-hand bend, keep over to the right. On a right hand bend, over to the left. As part of positioning, especially if in mountainous roads that twist and turn, use your side windows to aid bend assessment. It is incredible how this improves vision and positioning. For example, approaching an uphill left hand bend, position to the right, running on the white line. Approaching the turn, look through the driver's side window to assess the degree of turn. Look for the yellow dividing line and look as far ahead as you can. On the apex of the bend, switch your eyes to look back through the front screen. With practice, you will find your line improves, and you end up about 20 feet from the apex, running parallel to the yellow lines. No one has ever said or written legislation to the effect that you can only look through the front windshield. It all belongs to you, so use it.

Feed the limit point into the running commentary using such words as limit point, then running or opening [of the limit point], feeding on power, my speed is now… sign indicating falling rocks, preparing to take avoiding action as necessary, road is clear behind me, opposing blue car being followed by a red car. Red car looks as if they could be looking for an overtake etc.

If we go back to information as the foundation, with position, speed, gear and then acceleration, the limit point concept uses all these attributes to the full. We have reviewed positioning; on speed get all your braking done at one time. Really work on not having to get to secondary braking. After braking, consider changing gear; block change if necessary - 4th to 2nd ensuring that you have matching revs on the engine for this lower gear. If you do have secondary braking, your limit point identification and bend assessment were off. When the limit point runs, feed on the power in a progressive way. Always think of there being a piece of string connecting your foot to the steering wheel. When you turn the car, your foot is pulled away from the throttle. As you straighten, you can feed on the power. Try to keep the car in balance all the time.

Let me mention front wheel drive cars. There have been many accidents where cars have entered the corner too quickly, and the drivers promptly lift off the throttle. In this case, you will experience front wheel drive lift off oversteer, which is difficult, if not an impossible situation to recover from. When this happens, you will almost certainly spin. Only the driver can decide the appropriate action, but staying on the throttle can be very much better decision than leaping off it. All drivers can benefit from understanding the limit point, but maybe the front wheel drive drivers have even more to gain.

This is the fifth and last in this series of articles that deal with defensive driving techniques. Dealing with the limit point concept has probably been the most challenging. It is much easier to be in a car with someone, and then demonstrate it. If any reader would like help on this subject, please let me know. I would be delighted to assist.

Thank you for allowing me to contribute to your magazine. I have enjoyed it, and trust that you have found the series informative.

Safe controlled driving to you all, and talk yourself into talking. Contributed by Gordon Booth, Team Corvette member and Chief Instructor of Drivetrain Inc. based in San Jose California. Visit www.drivetrainusa.com

This is the fifth in a series of five articles that deal with defensive driving techniques. Contributed by Gordon Booth, Team Corvette member and Chief Instructor of Drivetrain Inc. based in San Jose California.