Frank 993 C4S

I found these to be the best "cost effective" steps:

1) Get a simulator and practice on iRacing
2) Watch videos on Youtube for similar cars to yours. Unfortunately, not too many racers post videos with data for competitive reasons. If they do, note their mid corner speeds and compare to yours
3) Use every opportunity to go for a live track walk with a coach
4) Don't figure it out yourself - hire a coach that is familiar with the track (dry and wet) and use comparative data to identify your low hanging fruit for improvement
5) Possibly go to the track with a Miata rental beforehand
6) Attend the Test and Tune or DE session before a particular Club Race

morsini

No pro, but I learn quickly, however, there aren't any magic solutions and we don't know how much training they're doing offline. My guess is plenty.

ExMB

Please define "cost effective"! Give it a realistic $ range.

Tongue in cheek.

Larry Herman

I always learned a new track backwards. Take the first 2 laps easy, figuring out where to apex and put down the power. Once you get the trackout, figure out how to get to the apex. After that it's learning where you need to get off the brakes on corner entry, and then finally just how late you can apply them. Easy-Peasey.

Frank 993 C4S

I hear you

The question was how pro drivers learn tracks quickly - and the answer is that they prepare extensively:

1) $5000 for a good sim is a relatively cost effective way to learn new tracks that you would otherwise have to fly to and have your car transported to. It allows you to get up to speed quicker
2) YouTube videos are free
3) A lot of PCA and other DE events arrange for track walks with Pro Coaches. Every pro race has track walks in advance of the race
4) A Pro Coach is expensive but it is by far the best way to hone your skills and far cheaper than you simply trying things out with seat time alone. Most (if not all) pro racers have driving/data/engineering coaches
5) You can rent a Spec Miata typically for $600/day. That's significantly less than I would spend on my own car in terms of transport, gas, maintenance and tires. This works well for far away tracks

Another trick is to initially set the car up to understeer a bit more when you hit a new track. Less excitement when you get things wrong.

ML///

I learn new tracks by keeping my eyes way up and "feel" it out. If you know where you're cars edge / limit is then start close to feeling out where that can be. If you have driven enough tracks you'll be able to pull from your toolbox of experience to know how to approach the corners or turns. I have found so many tracks have so many similar turns but with their own nuances. Learning new tracks is one of my favorite things about tracking.

GT3DE

A great way I found to get up to speed immediately at a new track is to put your bumper on someone who is already fast (in a similar car).

Der ABT

Damnit it's annoying when you do that even after your fast somewhere