Whenever I read a piece like this Ross I think that the real skill you’ve developed is the ability to slow down time. When I drive, time seems to flow so fast that I’m not able to think through all the things I should do and so I just react. But you seem to inhabit a space-time continuum where you have all the time in the world to consider options and make decisions. Is it just getting the reps, the practice, that slows down time for you?
Great and interesting observation. I've certainly seen for myself the way the greatest drivers process information, and being able to slow things down is a piece of the picture. Is it all reps/practice? I think that's a big part of it, but I know from my own experience that the reps don't have to be physical. In fact, I never could afford to drive as much as many other drivers could, but I could do a thousand more reps in my mind beforehand. I'm pretty sure one of the main ways I slow things down is by pre-playing everything in my mind before I ever go on track; then, I'm pre-playing in real time, but a few seconds before I'm actually doing it. So, rarely do things come as a surprise because I've already experienced them. At least, that's what I think is happening!
I do think that’s your particular superpower Ross, and why your writing and teaching is so valuable to the driving community. It’s a very intriguing mental ability, let me tell you.
I’m the mudder on our team. It’s all from growing up in Cleveland and having to be at work by 6am, in the winter, before the streets got plowed. We race in the rain on slicks. I still hate it, but the competition knows they going to get smoked when the drizzle starts.
Yep, used to Race at WetWood from the mid 70's through early 80's. Practiced as much as possible in the Wet on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
You really got used to looking out the side window for Braking Points and Track References as Forward vision could become Non-existent. Learning to relax in the Rain while Hydroplaning every lap was a special skill. Always hunting for new Lines and Grip. Had some real Ding Dong Battles with Tony Morris ( RIP ) in the Wet mixed B and C sedan series. Lots of Fun!!
One of my favorite articles, nice job Ross! I have found that amateur endurance racing the rain flips my risk reward calculations on their head. Three issues for me; one having to purchase the team racecar due to a mid-stint modification, two taking away the opportunity for the other drivers to drive the car and possibly make their own modifications, and finally having an ambitious competitor make modifications to the car on my behalf while I am driving it. And then there is vision or the lack thereof and general car prep to consider. Ok I'll sign up for the course :)
The risk versus reward tradeoff is a tough one. Interestingly, I've seen some reports that suggest that there are fewer incidents in the rain than in the dry, simply due to many drivers being more cautious. So...
My first novice race was SIR. #2 was Westwood, and man what a blast that was. I had watched a few Atlantic races up there, and welcomed a chance to run. Over the next 15 years I ran there every season at least once, and yep, it rained during more than half of them, as well as snow a few times! After running at Wetwood in a number of downpours I no longer feared rain, and I still feel comfortable racing in the wet. Probably one of the worst tracks to do in the rain, but the best at learning how to do it.
Whenever I read a piece like this Ross I think that the real skill you’ve developed is the ability to slow down time. When I drive, time seems to flow so fast that I’m not able to think through all the things I should do and so I just react. But you seem to inhabit a space-time continuum where you have all the time in the world to consider options and make decisions. Is it just getting the reps, the practice, that slows down time for you?
Great and interesting observation. I've certainly seen for myself the way the greatest drivers process information, and being able to slow things down is a piece of the picture. Is it all reps/practice? I think that's a big part of it, but I know from my own experience that the reps don't have to be physical. In fact, I never could afford to drive as much as many other drivers could, but I could do a thousand more reps in my mind beforehand. I'm pretty sure one of the main ways I slow things down is by pre-playing everything in my mind before I ever go on track; then, I'm pre-playing in real time, but a few seconds before I'm actually doing it. So, rarely do things come as a surprise because I've already experienced them. At least, that's what I think is happening!
I do think that’s your particular superpower Ross, and why your writing and teaching is so valuable to the driving community. It’s a very intriguing mental ability, let me tell you.
I’m the mudder on our team. It’s all from growing up in Cleveland and having to be at work by 6am, in the winter, before the streets got plowed. We race in the rain on slicks. I still hate it, but the competition knows they going to get smoked when the drizzle starts.
Nothing like some winter driving to develop one's skills and confidence!
Yep, used to Race at WetWood from the mid 70's through early 80's. Practiced as much as possible in the Wet on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
You really got used to looking out the side window for Braking Points and Track References as Forward vision could become Non-existent. Learning to relax in the Rain while Hydroplaning every lap was a special skill. Always hunting for new Lines and Grip. Had some real Ding Dong Battles with Tony Morris ( RIP ) in the Wet mixed B and C sedan series. Lots of Fun!!
Yes!
One of my favorite articles, nice job Ross! I have found that amateur endurance racing the rain flips my risk reward calculations on their head. Three issues for me; one having to purchase the team racecar due to a mid-stint modification, two taking away the opportunity for the other drivers to drive the car and possibly make their own modifications, and finally having an ambitious competitor make modifications to the car on my behalf while I am driving it. And then there is vision or the lack thereof and general car prep to consider. Ok I'll sign up for the course :)
The risk versus reward tradeoff is a tough one. Interestingly, I've seen some reports that suggest that there are fewer incidents in the rain than in the dry, simply due to many drivers being more cautious. So...
My first novice race was SIR. #2 was Westwood, and man what a blast that was. I had watched a few Atlantic races up there, and welcomed a chance to run. Over the next 15 years I ran there every season at least once, and yep, it rained during more than half of them, as well as snow a few times! After running at Wetwood in a number of downpours I no longer feared rain, and I still feel comfortable racing in the wet. Probably one of the worst tracks to do in the rain, but the best at learning how to do it.
Agreed!