[Fundamentals] Motor controls: The key to adjustability – Part 1

Part 1 of this three-part series on motor controls covers definitions and a breakdown of key principles, and explains why motor control precision plays a pivotal role in on-track adjustability.

Developing fine motor-control adjustability is fundamental to improving as a driver or rider. An “adjustable” driver or rider recognizes that every corner, track, and vehicle presents unique challenges, and that grip or traction varies with conditions and pace — and possesses the ability to adapt seamlessly to these variables. Simply put, the faster the laptime or the lower the grip, the more deliberate and precise motor control application must become. Unlocking true adjustability comes from mastering motor controls that dynamically respond to these changing factors.

In the past, motorsports were heavily influenced by the myth of “on or off” control inputs, where aggressive usage was thought to be effective at higher speeds or under pressure. Today, we understand that the opposite is true: maximizing traction and overall speed requires refined motor controls that effectively manage weight transfer, entry speed, slow point speed, and exit speed — fundamental elements for achieving a quicker, yet safer laptime.

Developing skills that enable you to react proactively to different conditions or situations is essential to remaining in control of your vehicle and your on-track experience. Strong vision skills are ultimately the prerequisite for developing proper motor control usage and adjustability. This is why Vision & Focus precedes Motor Controls in the Order of the Sport.

The fundamental connection between vision and motor control means that every move — braking, steering, or throttle — is informed by what the eyes have already registered, translating visual information into appropriate physical responses, and is the key to keeping your brain ahead of your vehicle. 

BREAKING DOWN MOTOR CONTROLS 

Breaking down motor controls starts with some basic definitions:

•  The First 5%: The initial application of inputs to your vehicle.

•  The Last 5%: The final application of inputs to your vehicle.

• Degree of application: How much of a particular input or action (e.g., throttle, brake, steering, body position) is being used and how precisely it's being implemented relative to the desired outcome.

My biggest takeaway from my 2-up ride with 3-time World Champion Freddie Spencer was his impeccable control usage. Every input was intentional and purposeful. From how he engaged the brakes and built brake pressure to his deliberate brake release — each action was distinct and well-planned. The same precision applied to his throttle application. I never felt his initial throttle, yet we accelerated incredibly hard. Understanding motor controls begins with recognizing the three key elements outlined above. Let’s explore each one in detail.

THE FIRST 5%

When deploying any motor control, whether it is braking, clutch release, steering, throttle, or body weight, the initial and final inputs matter most for overall precision. “The First 5%” thus refers to the initial application of a control input to a car or motorcycle and sets you up for providing the correct input(s) in any given situation. For example, a smooth and deliberate initial brake application allows you to increase pressure as dictated by the circumstances, without overslowing or braking too abruptly and compromising traction.

Have you ever noticed how elite racers transition so smoothly between inputs that they seem to flow effortlessly from one corner to the next? This indicates their mastery of the First 5%, and specifically, their ability to deliver controlled, precise inputs or “instructions” to the vehicle during the first stage of motor control application. Our initial inputs not only tell the vehicle what to do but they also determine how it reacts to the remainder of a given input.

For example, if your initial throttle input in good traction conditions is 20%, but the corner only calls for 10%, you are likely to lose traction or run wide. Accelerating too quickly means that you will have to roll off the throttle prematurely, in a place where you should have been accelerating, given the correct initial input.

Speed increases the importance of mastering the First 5%. At high speeds and increased lean angles, we spend more time at (and even slightly beyond) the limits of traction, decreasing room for error. In these situations, practiced control inputs are not only a matter of smooth cornering but safety, as well.

THE LAST 5%

Corresponding to the First 5%, the Last 5% refers to the final degree of application of motor control inputs to the car or motorcycle. Whereas the First 5% should be used to prime the vehicle for the given control input, the purpose of the Last 5% is to set you up correctly for the next input (e.g., going from brake to throttle). Another way to think about this is like controlling the release of the last remaining force from the ending control input, similarly to how you lower the weight stack on a fitness machine, easing the drop on the last few inches to ensure it doesn't slam. 

Although the Last 5% applies to all motor controls, braking and clutch release are the most important. For example, the way you release the brake in a corner determines how your vehicle holds its line. If you release the brake too quickly, weight transfers to the rear, decreasing the front tire’s contact patch. You lose steering, and your vehicle runs wide.

Similarly, how you release the clutch dictates how the rear wheel catches up to the engine. If you’re abrupt, the rear wheel will hop until the road speed and engine rpm match. In certain cases, the Last 5% also applies to the throttle. Controlled, deliberate roll-off ensures that the weight transfer doesn't overload the suspension and upset the front-to-rear balance.

DEGREE OF APPLICATION

Degree of application refers to how much control input is needed depending on the corner or track conditions. While the First and Last 5% of inputs remain consistent in terms of precision, the degree of application between those inputs varies.

At higher speeds, the First 5% and the Last 5% of inputs become more condensed, requiring even greater calibration and precise control than at slower speeds. Track conditions matter, too: Good traction means that your first 5% can happen more quickly, while poor traction requires it to be slower and more deliberate.

Importantly, overall adjustments to motor control inputs, that is, the degree of application, come into play after the First 5% and before the Last 5% of application, based on your needs and available grip. In good traction conditions, you can increase your degree of application, building speed to maximum throttle over shorter time and distance, than you can under poor traction conditions. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Motor control adjustability:

• Essential for adjusting to varying vehicles, corner, and track conditions, especially as grip changes.

• Replaces outdated “on/off” approaches with a more nuanced, responsive technique that enhances control at high speeds and different grip situations.

The importance of vision:

• Vision skills lay the foundation for motor control usage and are taught first in the Order of the Sport to establish proactive responses to variable track conditions.

• The key is connecting vision to motor controls (specifically eye timing and depth perception) to keep your thought process ahead of the vehicle. 

The First 5%:

• Refers to the initial motor control input, which sets up the rest of the action smoothly.

• This is crucial for transitions, such as gradually increasing brake pressure without destabilizing or overslowing for the upcoming corner.

The Last 5%:

• Focuses on releasing the final bit of control input to have the net desired result you want and to set up for the next action.

• Affects smoothness in braking and clutch release, ensuring balanced transitions between controls without sudden shifts.

Degree of Application:

• Describes the amount of control input (brake, throttle, etc.) based on a specific corner and track conditions.

• The First and Last 5% should remain precise, but the degree of application varies mid-input based on speed, lean angle, and available grip.

Together, these elements create a refined approach to motor controls, where both initial and final stages are executed with precision and adapted to the conditions, allowing riders to safely handle practically any situation. The details presented here make this a valuable framework for motor-control training, especially at higher skill levels.

The video below provides a more detailed explanation of these concepts.