But smoother definitely might.

“Brake later!” It’s the most shouted advice in motorsport — and one of the most misunderstood.

While it sounds logical (less time braking = more speed, right?), the reality is that braking later often disrupts your rhythm, unsettles the car, and slows you down through the most important part of any corner: the exit.

In the VSSC, where every tenth of a second counts, consistency and car control matter more than last-ditch heroics.

The Problem With Late Braking

When you brake too late, you force the tyres to do all the stopping in less distance — often slamming the pedal hard. That overloads the front tyres and reduces grip, especially during turn-in. The car becomes unsettled, understeers, and takes longer to rotate.

The result? You’re slower through the apex and hesitant on the throttle — killing exit speed and costing you time down the straight.

What Fast Drivers Do Differently

As Driver 61 (Scott Mansell) explains, lap time is found not in where you brake, but how you release the brake. This technique — called trail braking — helps keep the car balanced and rotating as you transition into the corner.

Fast drivers often:

• Start braking a little earlier
• Apply firm but progressive pressure
• Ease off the brake as they steer
• Carry more speed through the corner
• Get back on the throttle sooner

Key Takeaways

• Brake earlier if it helps you brake better
• Don’t stomp — squeeze the pedal smoothly
• Trail brake into the corner — don’t just jump off
• Use the brake release to rotate the car
• Focus on exits — that’s where lap time lives

Final Thoughts

Late braking feels fast. But flow is faster.
Braking is not just about stopping — it’s about setting up the car to carry speed through the corner and launch out with confidence.

So next time you’re chasing a PB at a VSSC round, don’t just try to brake later. Try to brake better.