Pocono FUSA ("Formula USA") in a Miata

Published: September 5, 2013

Turn 1

No brakes. If there are no pit out cones in the way, nail the apex which is at the tire stacks. Right side of the car should be within a foot of the tires. Be sure to rotate the car enough early enough to not fly off track between turns 1 and 2.

If the pit out cones are in the way, the car goes over the dip and bottoms hard.

If experiencing understeer, touch the brakes just before hitting the transition to delay braking until later in the turn.

5th gear from the main straight through 1 works well.

Turn 2

With good grip, stay flat out in 5th from the apex of 1 until braking zone in 3. Otherwise feather throttle as comfortable.

Turn 3

4th gear seems to work well despite being rather high. No apparent need to start the turn on the right - a car width into the track still works. Turn 3 is a late apex, be sure to apex correctly to come into 4 sensibly.

Turn 4

Brake. Hard to say whether downshifting into 3rd is worthwhile. Carrying more speed in 4th does work and especially with good tires should be superior.

Turn 5

Again can stay in 4th. Late apex, don't be too early which screws up the entry into 6.

I redline 3rd between 5 and 6 if I downshift into 3rd before 5.

Turn 6

Brake, downshift into 3rd. Exit speed is absolutely crucial here but I still don't have a consistent line through 6. Probably should do a later apex and be on power from the apex. More grip ought to help.

At the exit, cut diagonally for the inside of the track right away.

Turn 7

Flat out.

Turn 8

I am starting to brake past the Pocono sign on the wall, this is pretty late and it is possible to brake even later. Not much braking is needed on the oval - try to get more braking done in the infield between turns 8 and 9. Trailbrake all the way until the apex. If you are getting off the brakes before the apex, you should be entering faster.

I redline 5th before the turn in point. Shifting into 6th.

Turn 9

Coasting between turns 8 and 9. Should enter 8 faster and brake between 8 and 9.

Turn 10

Tap the brakes between 9 and 10 to settle the car and flick it left. Put right tires just at the curb at the exit of 10.

Turn 11

Straighten steering wheel for a second between 10 and 11, then turn into 11.

Turn 12

The entry is unconventional, being from essentially the inside of the corner, but the exit is wide enough that it works without braking.

Turn 13

I am braking for it but with good tires the braking should be minimal.

Turn 14

I am braking again but with good tires this ought to be flat out.

Turn 15

Flat out.

Turn 16

Have to brake for this. Try to do a diagonal from the apex of 16 to the apex of 17. Does not seem to be beneficial to drive around here.

Downshift into 3rd.

Turn 17

Can upshift into 4th before 17.

Late apex, turn in where the pavement joins on the right, maybe a foot later. Nailing the apex is crucial. The track is banked at the apex giving the car more grip the if the apex is nailed.

Turn 18

Flat out.

Turn 19

With good tires and a sufficiently late apex I should be able to take this without braking.

Turn 20

With good tires this turn should be taken flat out I think. Otherwise at least be flat out from the apex.