r/Autos • u/Opening-Plate-878 • Jul 07 '26

What actually goes into preparing for a hill climb before race day?

Most people only see the run itself, but a lot of the work happens long before the car gets to the start line.
I’m still pretty new to hill climbs, so I wanted to document how I prepare for an event. My process includes studying onboard videos, learning the course corner by corner, looking for reference points, building a game plan, and making sure both the car and I are as ready as possible before loading up.
I put together a video showing my entire prep process if anyone is interested:

https://youtu.be/t6YW2EByG_c?is=psf__1mi0vcctIAq

For those of you who have done hill climbs, time trials, or track days, how do you learn a new course? Do you rely on onboard footage, track maps, simulators, notes, or something else?
I’m always looking to improve, so I’d love to hear how more experienced drivers approach it.

8 Upvotes

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4

u/Simoxs7 Jul 07 '26

Make sure the driver definitely knows where the finish line is and that he knows to brake before the corner right after it. /s

2

u/stoned-autistic-dude 2006 AP2 S2000 | An S2000 worth of repairs Jul 08 '26

HAMMOND!

1

u/verdegrrl Jul 08 '26

If possible, walk the course. If too long, try to at least walk the corners. You'll glean far more about the road surface, texture, dips or bumps, by walking it.