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.

[Brad Roberts]

I have been off three times this year after 14 track days covering 4 different tracks.

I had gone several years without an off. I was in a "new to me car" (the Boxster Spec car) and a lightweight 993. My first off was at turn 2 at Willow in Jan. I was experimenting (plain and simple) The Boxster has a digital dash showing MPH so I was doing what Don was telling people in a post above (checking speed) I changed my entry speed.. my exit speed.. inside.. outside... middle.. I wanted to be able to put the car in any spot on the track in that corner. This is important in a racing situation. This was a new track for me and didnt know where this new car was going to stick at speed. I wouldnt have found out pussy footing around the track on a "Time Trial" line. I had been to this track multiple times with paid professional drivers and listended to them coach other people, but had never driven it. By my third session on the very first day there.. I had the class record and was leading my class. I wouldnt have found the limit for turn 2 if I didnt try.

Later on this year I went 4 wheels off in a 180degree spin exiting turn 9 at Willow. I ended up going backwards at 125+. The ABS in a Boxster doesnt work going backwards...LOL This one scared me. I ended up within arms reach of the wall.

I dont like to spin. But I think it is something you will do if you are pushing the envelope. I ran Buttonwillow for a few laps in a prepared 993 a few weeks back. I took it off after a tank slapper coming out of turn 6. The owner was pissed. He wasnt pissed that I went off.. he was pissed because in one session in a car I had never driven.. I beat him by a full second (and he has been running the car since 1999)

Just be smart Bill. Be consistant. Be safe. Be predictable.

I have raced door to door. It is completely different than "open track days" and Time Trial. You'll learn there are 100's of different lines on 100's of different tracks. This is when you will have to experiment. Right now I believe you are in a comfort zone.

B