A foundation of driving technique lies in building basic muscle memory for your inputs : being in full control of a car implies beign able to tell it precisely what to do, which is mainly done by braking, accelerating and steering.
Before trying to learn advanced techniques, it is essential that you get used to your hardware, and especially your pedals. No matter the kind of technology you use, being able to confidently hit a certain amount of throttle or brake pressure is a must. Inconsistencies in your inputs will reflect in your lines and lap times, making it harder to identify other issues in your driving.
The good thing is you don't even need to drive, or even launch a game to practice if you're on PC : just open the software provided by the brand you're equipped with, and go into the calibration menu. Start by pressing your pedals until your reach 50% pressure, then try getting there consistently without looking at the gauges (only use them for validation after you stabilized the pressure). Then try to add 25% and 75%, and build more precision as you go.
Make sure your hardware is hard mounted properly if possible. If you don't have room for a cockpit, consider a wheelstand or building a simple plate that can be attached to your desk or another fixed element in your room, so you can bolt your pedals onto something. Some pedal sets also have a part that can grip onto carpet, so alternatively you can use that to your advantage.
A note about the different types of brake pedals : while loadcell pedals feel more natural, it is not impossible to train with a travel-based brake pedal. You can often find aftermarket springs and elastomers to change the amount of effort required and the curve as well if you struggle : it's not a replacement for a true loadcell but can be a decent hybrid solution.
Being able to hit 10% steps will instantly make you into a better driver, but what you really want to achieve ultimately is the capacity to transition from different pressure levels smoothly for progressive throttle and degressive brake inputs.
This can be a good preparatory drill to do before going into a session with one of our coaches who will analyze your driving and help you improve with advanced techniques.
See you on the race track !🚦🏁
The Race Clutch Center Team