What a revelation. The vast majority of in-car instruction I've received can be summarized as the instructor micro-managing me around their preferred racing line, and every instructor had a different line. Talking about HPDE here. Since I got solo qualified earlier this year I'm not forcing the car to do things it doesn't want to anymore and I'm having a better time of it (and posting better times!). Thanks for this.
I love this article Ross! Another inspiring tip on how to live a full life, I mean drive fast. As I read I was waiting for you to explain how you combined high feedback with high recovery, and you did! I do wish you hadn't mentioned focusing on the car's limits vs. the line though. Of course it's brilliant, and you've mentioned a few times before, but now I have to hope my friends I race against don't read this, they're still thinking the line is the holy grail!
I (eventually) learned (the hard way..) some of that as a wild-eyed young spud on a dirt bike. Let the bike tell you what works. When I began racing sports cars I found those lessons applied to cars as well - relax and listen!
And a FIAT 850 frequently has a different line than a Bugeye Sprite with a welded diff!
Another good article Ross. I am about to take a car I barely know to a track I have never been to and enter my first sprint race. Open cockpit, semi reclined seating, no center rear view mirror, manual shift paddle, left foot brake, clutch only to start/strop, etc. all are new to me. Fortunately there is a test and tune day and I hope to fully utilize. I’ll push the car early to find it limits after proper tire/engine warm ups of course. Knowing how the car will react at the limit will lead to real confidence, which I think is the main point of your article. Thanks!
I'm a rookie Autocrosser, and I've had loads of "more experienced drivers" tell me my method of racing my car with stock tires (but suspension and chassis race-ready) is the incorrect approach; they suggest sticky tires and light wheels from the get-go. While I certainly subscribe to the "practice as one plays" mentality, I'm more concerned with learning the way the car responds overall (read: slowly) on marginal tires than reacting to a snap (quickly!) on slicks. Your articles are always enlightening to me- thanks so much!
Been reading (enjoying) your stuff for a while and this has to be one of the most insightful articles I've read. VERY helpful
Thanks Burr!
What a revelation. The vast majority of in-car instruction I've received can be summarized as the instructor micro-managing me around their preferred racing line, and every instructor had a different line. Talking about HPDE here. Since I got solo qualified earlier this year I'm not forcing the car to do things it doesn't want to anymore and I'm having a better time of it (and posting better times!). Thanks for this.
Go ice racing!!!! Fastest and cheapest way to learn to get in over head and bring it back.
Boy is that ever true, and so much fun!
I love this article Ross! Another inspiring tip on how to live a full life, I mean drive fast. As I read I was waiting for you to explain how you combined high feedback with high recovery, and you did! I do wish you hadn't mentioned focusing on the car's limits vs. the line though. Of course it's brilliant, and you've mentioned a few times before, but now I have to hope my friends I race against don't read this, they're still thinking the line is the holy grail!
What a great explanation, Ross!
I (eventually) learned (the hard way..) some of that as a wild-eyed young spud on a dirt bike. Let the bike tell you what works. When I began racing sports cars I found those lessons applied to cars as well - relax and listen!
And a FIAT 850 frequently has a different line than a Bugeye Sprite with a welded diff!
Another good article Ross. I am about to take a car I barely know to a track I have never been to and enter my first sprint race. Open cockpit, semi reclined seating, no center rear view mirror, manual shift paddle, left foot brake, clutch only to start/strop, etc. all are new to me. Fortunately there is a test and tune day and I hope to fully utilize. I’ll push the car early to find it limits after proper tire/engine warm ups of course. Knowing how the car will react at the limit will lead to real confidence, which I think is the main point of your article. Thanks!
Have fun! That sounds like a blast, Gary.
I did kind of a similar thing recently by doing an auto-cross on street tires. Lots of slipping and sliding at safe environment.
I'm a rookie Autocrosser, and I've had loads of "more experienced drivers" tell me my method of racing my car with stock tires (but suspension and chassis race-ready) is the incorrect approach; they suggest sticky tires and light wheels from the get-go. While I certainly subscribe to the "practice as one plays" mentality, I'm more concerned with learning the way the car responds overall (read: slowly) on marginal tires than reacting to a snap (quickly!) on slicks. Your articles are always enlightening to me- thanks so much!
Ok, but what about Mike?