Actually the thing I learned after attending the DC Tour in May that helped shave a full second off that LONG course on Saturday was setting up the car which makes you feel comfortable. I had my car setup for oversteer (rotation) since I drive a front heavy car.

My 1st run I spun going into the downhill esses. Scared the crap out of me. Talked to one of my friends and he and his wife do very well at the Tours. He told me I should setup the car so it's predictable and comfortable. Because a comfortable car you will drive faster than a car that is waiting to bite you in the butt.

I usually run 40f/30r in my Azenis and the shocks at full soft front, full stiff rear. Well I turned up the front shocks (Koni Yellows) 1 full turn and ran 40f/46r and the car felt so much better and I wasn't wondering when the car was going to spin.

But learning threshold braking is just something you pick up on your car after you get accustom to it. Having a thin sole'd sneaker or wrestling shoe does help you modulate brake pressure (I feel). Also running the same setup all the time will help to. If you change from R tires at one event to street tires at another event, then new brake pads, then another drop the front and raise the rear your car is always changing. Very hard to learn your car like that.