Off track excursions, Are they a measure of improvement? Options

[nine14cats]

I have a question for the board....

Is going off track an indicator of ongoing improvement? This is meant as a "positive" experience question.

I have heard some drivers use the old addage that there are two types of racers:

1. Those that have gone off track
2. Those that will go off track

The reason I ask is that I've never been dirt tracking at any of the places I've run (Laguna Seca, Infineon, Buttowwillow or Thunderhill). I haven't spun out or even touched a wheel in dirt (just wispies!)

I'm getting quicker and have set many personal bests this year. This past weekend my practice times put me in the top 20% of cars running, so that makes me happy. But is it possible I'm not pushing hard enough to learn my own limits and that of my car? Some drivers have told me that going off is no big deal. I personally don't like the thought of it a whole lot. From the standpoint of safety, I don't want to lose control and possibly hit someone else. From the standpoint of cost, I don't want to damage my car.

My approach has been incremental...bring a little more speed in a section and then link it to the next section. And I have been trying to be more aware of practicing controlled drifting of the car through certain sections of track. I just don't know if I should push my limits a tad more.

I suppose given our sport it is inevitable that I will go off, be it my own fault or circumstances happenning in front of me on the track.

Any thoughts or insights from the Paddock?

Thanks,

Bill P.

[jhadler]

I would have two differnt takes on this:

At an autox: (And if you haven't gone, then do so.) If you're not spinning it occasionally, you're not pushing hard enough. Autox is a great venue to get a feel for what the car will do when it gets away. And you can do this in a pretty safe environment. Even if your main drive is the big track, you will gain skills at an autox that you just can't explore at the big track.

At the track: The speeds, and kinetic energy are much higher. Runoff room becomes very important. I think your incremental approach is a good one. You're not competing for prize money, you're just driving for fun and experience. If you racing professionally, that would be different, but you're not. Why risk bringing home your car on a flatbed (or worse) for that extra tenth? Speed will come with practice. Your laptimes are still dropping right? You haven't reached a plataeu yet, so why push beyond the envelope?

There are, of course, times, and opportunities to push it here and there. But plan then, decide how you want to do it, and do it. If it doesn't work, you'll have knowledge and experience. If it does, yeehaw. If you are by yourself on the track, and there's GOBS of runoff room, and you feel COMFORTABLE pushing it, then try it. But most of all, if you're not comfortable, don't do it!!

Again, this is DE, you're not even competing for a plastic plaque. Drive within your comfort level (not below it though, just stay right near the edge), and you'll find your laptimes will drop, and your comfort level will go up...

-Josh2