THSCC Forums

Whatever works for you!

I'm trying to give the student a different thought process and mental picture than what they've been taught previously. Braking to slow down: OMG I have to slow down or the car won't be able to make that corner is what you are taught in drivers ed. This idea results in overbraking and "laying" on the brakes and coasting around the corner before getting back on the gas. Momentum killer!
Braking to transfer weight: Use the car's capabilities and physics to be quick. You can get the front end to bite and turn while lightening up the rear to help it to rotate by using the brkes to transfer weight. This idea helps reduce the amount/duration of braking, helps with understanding when to brake, and how to throttle steer (RWD) or drive thru the turn (FWD) to accellerate sooner and carry more momentum.
GH said one time that the mere act of turning decellerates the car.

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SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.

Please let me be a fly on the door when you explain this to one of your students in between runs this weekend. My guess is that you will see a look that looks something like this:





- AB

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'14 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4WD
Super Westerfield Bros - '93 Integra - LeChump Du Jour
STX 93 - Scion FR-S

Whatever. Then again I'd expect you to criticize anything I say.
This is not something I'll be doing for the first time, nor is it my concept, but one I've borrowed from Evo instruction... (Guess Eric, Telehowski and Braun must be stupid too?)
Actually the reaction has been more

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SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.

I'm not questioning the concept, just questioning the ability to convey such a mouthful at a local intermediate school. Most of the students in our school will be lucky to get two pieces of information that they can apply to their autocross repertoire.

Honestly, if someone at our club level said that to me, I'd look like a deer in the headlights, but hell, I can't drive so what does it matter. - AB

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'14 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4WD
Super Westerfield Bros - '93 Integra - LeChump Du Jour
STX 93 - Scion FR-S

Don't sell yourself so short, you would have won BSL by over three seconds at Nats if you would've brought out the Budweiser dress.

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.

Let's try to keep this contructive and on-topic.

This one is getting really close to the status of the next thread down.

Scott

Ryan,

Whatever you guys have in store is cool with me. I think that with only 25 "students", keeping the action on one side is a good idea.

Personally, my goal is to become more comfortable looking ahead and staying on the throttle longer though the faster sections. Two things I didn't do at Sanford.

-Matt

Chuck and I are friends and so are Aaron and I, I have no dog in the fight. But I do agree with Aaron on the point of trying to convey this at a local school. It may convey better in person than in writing. If a student told me they are going to try LFB, I would wish them luck and simply get out and move to a different student. Plus having 205# in a car when you are tyring to learn a new style is not a good thing.

If a person wants to switch their driving style, the school is not a good venue. Unless you have an expert in that style and car that can help you. And you will need many, many, many practice runs.

I think every instructor and student should read Hollis' 10 points. Eat, sleep and breathe those. If you can execute those day-in and day-out, you will be fast in whatever style comes naturally to you.

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Jim Pastorius
2008 Silverado VortecMax
1992 Camaro CMC#92
2002 BMW R1150R

2009 3rd Place CMC Mid-Atlantic Championship
2009 CMC Hyperfest Winner

I have one theory regarding LFB: heck no. My left foot has been trained to stomp real hard, and doesn't do much else. It never worked well in soccer either. Since I don't have a turbo that needs to be kept spooled up, I just use it to keep my behind as deep in my seat that I can.

If you want to try it out, do it on the street, just make sure that some soccer mom isn't riding your rear bumper when you go into the ABS the first time.

The only time I ever tried LFBing was in my mom's car. Naturally, I forgot that she had an automatic. That'll get your attention!

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.

I hadn't seen them before so I looked 'em up:
http://www.dmvrscca.org/topten.htm

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Not spectacular just decent.
I'm not sure what I'm driving.
Maybe an ITR in DS.
Or half-assed STX prepped 330.

He's a good writer. From what I've heard, he's even creative with letterhead.

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.

What, there wasn't a Miata towing package? He may be a cheat, but his points are valid. Now he is on the SEB ... go figure.

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Jim Pastorius
2008 Silverado VortecMax
1992 Camaro CMC#92
2002 BMW R1150R

2009 3rd Place CMC Mid-Atlantic Championship
2009 CMC Hyperfest Winner

I wouldn't neccessarily call it a change in driving style, but adding more tools into your driving tool box. If a school isn't the proper format for learning new skills, then a) why call it a school and b) when would be the appropriate time to acquire new skills? During competition? I don't think so.

Practicing/honing a new skill in competition is fine if you've got a pretty good handle on it and it's appropriate for the course at the time. It's what you should be doing. Learning an advanced technique in a competition? Not if you don't get close on the first try, because you've just thrown a run away.

Despite popular opinion, I for one would not have the appearance of a deer in the headlights when being instructed on controlling car balance with pedal input. Remember, this is an imtermediate/ADVANCED class. While my driving may not currently reflect advanced driving, I don't think it's inappropriate to be learning advanced skills. How else do you grow?

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“I feel safer on a racetrack than I do on Houston's freeways.” - A.J. Foyt

Kevin Butler
Mobetta Autosport Spec E30 #612
2003 C5 Z06 Corvette
AFR Miata, SM2 61, '93 w/200 SC'd RWHP - soon to be resurrected
Waaaay too many other projects....

I'm in agreement with Kevin. There will be techniques that I will try this Sat for the first time. I don't know if these will hurt or help me and I won't know until I try them (and I don't have a place outside of our events to try them in a safe, legal manner). However, this doesn't mean that I don't want to learn the mental side of autox. I plan to walk with Jim P to learn from his course analysis and planning. I hope ride with some of the experienced guys as well just because that's how I learn best!!

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Rob Harvey
919-697-5485
1997 BMW M3
1992 Acura Integra (Simon)

what i remember from my days at the greyhound track is that it is an urban legend to bet on the the dog that craps in grid. however, the dog that is in fact relaxed enough, is the dog that runs the fastest. again, i am off topic, but i must agree, the mental aspect of autoX is truly a large part of the game.

respectfully, i will not be able to attend. and i must say, it appears as if next season is shaping up to be as competitive as anyone could expect it to be. have fun ya'll.