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Have you faced a particular feature/situation that you couldn't figure out? Got a specific question on technique? Ask it! If we think we know the answer, we'll share it with y'all.

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Carl Fisher

Be Cool to the Pizza Dude:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=4651531

I don't want to collude your other thread into a Q&A, so I will try to 'continue here'.

Where we have talked about Kevin's 'Course', I would like to expand the discussion to BMW Farms as well (might as well discuss each in detail as we only have two sites, atm).

Although there could be many points of discussion about the course (depending on layout), it seems that we always have the 'big three' turns at this event -- near the bus, the 'hill yump', and the big hairpin coming towards the bus (and the next 'snake turn'... but that one I will aviod for now).

At two of these turns, depending on direction and condition -- yump + bus -- you wind up being (or can be) sideways across those turns. When there is an elevation change + turn, is there a 'safe + fast' way to do these? I know in the legacy I have just pitched it early hunting for the Apex before, but the more I watch Kevin and Carl drive, it seems the 'cleaner Seb Loeb' lines are faster.

Second Question: The 'hairpin' --- How in the heck do you clear this one once it is rutted? Anywhere I try to go is the sandy marsh of a once decent turn. The best I can come up with is to slow for the shortest path. Is that the best line.. or a wide entry to straight line through 'the crud' is best?

Anyway, I appreciate any and all input. I know rally tires help ' a lot', but I would like to discuss this outside the scope of rally tires.

- dow

Thanks for asking, Brian. I'd like to hear Kevin (and Jim)'s input on this as well, because I struggle there myself. I don't really pay much attention to the elevation change, I don't think it has much effect at the speeds we're going. I'm more interested in the condition of the corner. If it's pretty clean, I will try to throw it in, because I think it's the faster way around. But not really huge, that is I wouldn't try to carry the slide all the way through the 180, because it's so easy to misjudge and end up going wide. I'd rather be going too slow on the inside line than going faster into the deep stuff.


If it's ugly, I just slow down and try to hug the inside as best I can. When it's torn up, I figure any kind of sideways motion is going to apply more of a braking force than my available power and traction can overcome, so I try to avoid sliding and wheelspin as best I can. I sort of hate to tell y'all this because I've enjoyed having it, but there is usually a 3-4" strip of grass or firm dirt right up against the inner cones, and that's where I put my inside wheels. Then I know I have at least 2 wheels that aren't sinking in (and therefore sucking power). I'd like to know what Kevin A. does with them, though, with more power and traction.

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Carl Fisher

Be Cool to the Pizza Dude:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=4651531

Oh, I know the answer to any Kevin A. question:

[Kevin Allen]" I I tap-tap the brakes (two quick right foot stomps) I pretty much pitch it in there (hand motion of flick) .. I saw at the wheel (back and forth hands on wheel motion).. and when I see the apex, and get on it (lots of right foot). [/Kevin A.]



I would like to say the runs I have been with in the car with Kevin have been some of the most clean, controlled and 'wasteless' lines I have seen.

It *looks* like that is how Carl drives as well, and 'efficent' seems best (and fastest).

I may have to drink some coffee before each run if I am going to start driving like that

Thanks guys!

- dow

I don't have anything of value to add besides reinforcing what Carl said. I do the same things in the same situations as Carl suggested and think that is the best way to do preserve equipment as well as be fast. Probably not what you were looking for Carl but I think you covered all the bases pretty well.

Jim

ditto to what Carl does.

I had replied with with lots of words and an illustration, but it got deleted, so that will have to do.