Off track excursions, Are they a measure of improvement? |
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Off track excursions, Are they a measure of improvement? |
nine14cats |
Jun 28 2006, 04:45 PM
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#1
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Bill Pickering -- 914-6 GT aka....Leeloo Group: Members Posts: 2,618 Joined: 10-February 03 From: Campbell, CA Member No.: 287 Region Association: None |
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. |
Don Wohlfarth |
Jun 29 2006, 05:55 PM
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#2
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Member Group: Members Posts: 104 Joined: 8-January 03 From: Fairfax, VA Member No.: 117 |
"If you do go off, you better know why it happened and learn something from it."
It's that old risk and reward thing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Sounds like you're taking a safe approach and setting new personal bests in the process. How do you compare with similar cars in your run group? Find a instructor and ask him to ride with you, if he's got a 914 that's even better. Even Tiger Wood's has a coach. Work on being smooth by not upsetting the balance of the car. Try braking a "little" earlier with less brake pressure and work on corner entry and getting on the power as quickly as possible, you want to be on the power no later than halfway between turn in and apex, work on getting on the power right after turn in. You're driving a over powered mid engined 35 yr old car that will spin in a heart beat. I'd say forget trail braking on anything other than the absolute slowest turns. 914's don't need any help turning. Try and feel thru the seat of your pants how the car feels going thru a turn. Try the same turn a little earlier and then a little later and see how it feels. Find a point at track out and check rpm's trying it different ways. Don't think you learn alot by going off track but it will happen ocassionally. If you're going to push it do it in a safe place. |
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