Inputs: In sim racing, inputs refer to the actions you make to control the car, such as steering, braking, accelerating, and gear shifting. These inputs are crucial for maintaining control and optimising lap times.

Grip: In racing, grip refers to the amount of friction between the car's tires and the track surface. It determines how well a car can accelerate, brake, and corner without losing control. Grip is crucial because it directly influences the car's ability to transfer power to the road and maintain stability through turns.

Mechanical Grip: This comes from the physical interaction between the tires and the track. Factors influencing mechanical grip include the tire compound (soft or hard), tire temperature, tire pressure, suspension setup, and the type of track surface (smooth or rough). Mechanical grip is generally higher with softer tires and more downforce, which press the tires harder onto the track.

Aerodynamic Grip: This type of grip is generated by the aerodynamic components of the car, such as wings, diffusers, and splitters. At higher speeds, aerodynamic elements create downforce, pressing the car more firmly against the road, which increases grip. However, aerodynamic grip fades as the car slows down, making mechanical grip more crucial at lower speeds.

Braking references: Points where you decide to start braking.

Acceleration references: Spots where you begin to accelerate out of corners.

Turning references: Markers indicating where you should start turning the wheel into a corner.

Rotation: In racing, rotation refers to the car’s ability to turn around its centre axis, especially during cornering and braking. Effective rotation allows the car to change direction more sharply. Under braking, rotation is influenced by weight transfer to the front wheels, which increases front grip and can help the rear end of the car come around slightly. To clarify, the rear tires lose grip and slowly start sliding. This can make cornering more efficient, and rotation leads us to our next term which is slip angle.

Slip Angle: Slip angle refers to the difference between the direction in which a tire is pointing and the actual path the tire is travelling. This happens when a tire moves slightly sideways due to the forces acting on it, especially during cornering. A certain amount of slip angle is desirable because it indicates the tire is generating maximum grip; it shows that the tire is "slipping" just enough to create optimal traction without losing control. In its essence, the slip angle is a measure of how much the tires are skidding relative to their intended direction, which allows for sharper and more controlled cornering. A good driver manages slip angles to balance the car’s grip, achieving faster cornering without excessive tire wear or losing control.

Trail Braking: Trail braking is a technique where you gradually release the brake while entering a corner. This shifts weight to the front tires, increasing grip and allowing the car to turn more sharply.

Apex: The apex is the innermost point of a corner on the racing line. Hitting the apex is crucial for maintaining speed through and exiting a corner efficiently.

Kerb: A kerb (or curb) is the raised edge along the inside or outside of a track corner. Drivers often use them to stabilise the car or to slightly widen the racing line without losing too much speed.

Oversteer: Oversteer happens when the rear wheels lose grip before the front wheels during a turn, causing the back of the car to slide outwards. It requires careful steering correction to control.

Understeer: Understeer is the opposite of oversteer, where the front wheels lose grip and the car doesn't turn as sharply as desired. The car tends to slide straight, requiring adjustment of speed or steering angle.

Racing Line: The racing line is the optimal path around a track. It involves the best trajectory through corners to minimize time lost and maximize speed. A good racing line balances corner entry, apex, and exit for the fastest lap times.

Common Terms Explained