- LOCATION:
Monterey, CA
- TYPE: permanent road course
- LENGTH: 2.214 miles
- RACE
DISTANCE: 84 laps
(185.98 miles)
-
-
- SETUP
NOTES:
This actually tends to be a low-downforce circuit because so
much of it is driven at higher speeds. Increase the front wing
setting slightly more than the rear to improve cornering performance;
note that most of the tighter corners point left. Use the front
straight to adjust 6th gear. This track generally requires a
mixture of tire compounds, rather than an even set. Try to avoid
passing into the Corkscrew - there are plenty of better locations
for overtaking.
-
- A LAP: From the start/finish
line, the pavement will crest and bend left through turn 1, a
slight left-hand kink. Exit the corner flat out and move to the
right, watching for the turn 2 braking markers. Downshift to
2nd and work your way around 2, the 180-degree Andretti hairpin.
You should be able to climb back up to 4th gear before hitting
turn 3, a sharp right-hander that will drop you back into 2nd
gear. When you clear the exit, get the car back up to 4th gear
before hitting turn 4. This corner is a fast bend to the right
that only requires a quick lift off the throttle. Back on the
power full out of 4, shift up to top gear as the road angles
to the right, where you'll soon find the next set of braking
markers indicating turn 5. Downshift to 4th and swing the car
left across the apex, keeping the revs up for the ascent to turn
6, which is similar to 5 but not as sharp. Speeding toward 6,
release the throttle as you go under the bridge, and reapply
power only when the corner snaps by. Now you'll begin a high-speed
ascent, bobbing over two hills. At the peak of the second rise,
turn 7 blindly veers right, wrapping around a hillside. At the
apex of turn 7, you'll need to brake hard and downshift to 1st
or 2nd as you prepare to engage the infamous Corkscrew (turns
8 and 8A). The Corkscrew is a neurotic 25-foot plunge that demands
the utmost care. Using a low gear, you'll dart left then right
as you gain momentum on the exit. Fresh out of the Corkscrew,
you'll tackle turn 9. a fast left. You'll still be shifting back
up as you steer along the outside line, eventually making it
back into 6th gear. Turn 10 drives much like turn 4: a process
of lifting and steering right, letting the car do the work. Just
after 10, note the markers on your right and hit the brakes,
downshifting quickly to 1st as you approach the final corner,
a hairpin left.
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