How to read pace notes for the first time
Pace notes are the shorthand that lets a crew drive a stage they have only seen once. Each corner is given a number, usually from one to six, where one is almost a hairpin and six is nearly flat out. Add a direction, a distance and a few modifiers, and a whole stage fits on a few sheets of paper.
Start by learning the vocabulary rather than the speed. A call such as 'left four, tightens, 80, right two' tells you the corner severity, what happens mid-corner, the distance to the next one and what follows. If you understand the structure, the numbers become easy to calibrate to your own car.
The most common beginner mistake is trusting the notes more than your eyes. Notes describe the road in dry, ideal conditions. Mud, gravel on the apex or a low sun can make a 'four' behave like a 'three', and the crew has to adapt in real time.
Practice at home by recording yourself reading a familiar road, then replaying it on the next drive. You will quickly notice which calls are ambiguous and which distances you consistently misjudge.
Finally, agree on a language with your co-driver before the event. Short, rhythmic calls beat long descriptions every time, and a calm voice matters as much as perfect information.