Rob 97 993c2

I was at a CVR lecture this weekend and David Murry was the guest speaker. While I dont fully appreciate figures in porsche racing history (i know more about tennis), he was a class act; very impressive and very userfriendly - can not say enough good things.

One thing he told me was that when downshifting it is best to match revs and while the clutch is depressed and THEN let the clutch out. He said this is opposite to what everyone is told on releasing the clutch as you blip the throttle. is this obvious? seems to me like you will loose lots of revs if u keep the clutch depressed longer.

The other thing he said is that if the rear begins to slide out, you should keep your feet off the pedals and just countersteer and then recover. I always thought it was best to modulate the throttle in some way (i never really knew how) to keep the weight in the back.

thoughts?

jrgordonsenior

Hi Rob,

Did you see this video from the racing forum? Talk about fast downshifting... watch him go down through 6 gears in one turn, all the while rev-matching his shifts....

http://gscdownloads.com/leh/sebring/GT3RSatSebring.wmv

jrgordonsenior

Yea but if it's truly gone go pedals down...

Ray Calvo

RE clutch: depends on how quick you are. I can't remember how I heel-and-toe; it's more a reflex that DOES bring RPM up as I engage the clutch. I guess I might actually blip the throttle just before I engage the clutch.

RE oversteer: mild initial ones - I hold throttle position and try to countersteer. I 've found that if you START to oversteer, it's best to keep your foot on the gas; lifting makes it worse. I think the one or two times I couldn't catch it I've followed our school's advice - "both feet in" (i.e, disengage the clutch and nail the brakes).

IRREGARDLESS, if you want to practice any of this, hit the autocross course. The track is NOT the place to practice, if you want to.

aam993

Why not? What do you practice on track [during DE]?

Mark in Baltimore

Alexander,

I think Ray means it might be safer to practice in an autocross where there's no one out there but you and where the speeds are lower than on a track. At a DE, there's a good chance there will be someone arond you who might be collected in the wake of your spin or sideways event.

chris walrod

Absolutely agree with Mark and Ray

Bruce SEA 993

The gearbox in that video shifts way faster than a 993 box I am thinking!!

Also, watch the countersteering...he is reacting very quick to the back end coming out.

Nice Video!

Rob 97 993c2

That guy is amazing in the video - i could never imagine adjusting the wheel so many times in a turn. it would be cool to see an outside picture of the car as well so we can see just how much he is sliding around.
At least that driver doesnt have to worry about being passed by me!!

grmnxtc

Yes, check out this video of the very same circuit to see why!

http://www.gscdownloads.com/leh/sebring/RScrash.wmv

Clive.

aam993

Mark,

I took original Ray's post as a suggestion to come to the track only when you practiced and learnt all those techniques already and since I'm in green group I was offended. Original suggestion in my mind is equivalent to only allow people on track when they are kind of ready for black/red group.
DE is very safe environment because organizers/instructors pay constant attention to how to group people properly, how to keep distance, etc. So that if somebody goes sideways people have plenty of time to react.
I have to admit, though, I never been to AX event yet, but had done several DEs and love eveything about those(for example, riding with instructor is absolutely mesmerizing!). Looking forward to try an AX. My perception might change after that.

Edward

"Advice from a pro..."

Yeah, I want to drive that, as soon as I find more talent Great video. No 911/993 gearbox I've ever driven shifts like that! Loved to see all the "finessing" (manhandling?) of the steering wheel...talk about keeping it on the edge. Also very cool to hear the engine looking for traction in some of those oversteering moments. Thanks for the link!

Edward

Ray Calvo

BINGO!!!! I autocrossed for a few years before ever hitting the track. Got a good feel for being able to "read" the car and sense what it's doing. Besides, one mistake on the track and you could have several thousand $$$ of damage and possibly a big hospital bill - for two. Make a mistake in an autocross and you get a big round of applause. On the track, good instructor or not, one dopey mistake and you could be history.

RE racing forum vidoe; I haven't watched it, but it seems to be the WRONG thing to do for a beginner track driver. The Porsche Club call these events "Driver Education" for a reason; it's to teach SAFE high-speed driving. That means nubmer one is to be smooth in all your actions, not jerky. So, watch it for entertainment, not as to what YOU should do on the track!

aam993

Okay, that is how it worked out for you, and what I'm saying it's not helpful to discourage people to try on track during DE some of the things they read about and learnt. With instructor's consent, of course. AX is not neccessary as available to everyone as DE is (for whatever reason, in my case anyway).
One has to be as cautious as possible and use his/her head, but DE does stand for "Drivers Education".

Edward

Hi Alexander,

If I may add my 2 cents, I don't know if Ray was "discouraging" anyone as much as he was advising/enouraging that AX is an excellent way to learn car control in an env't that's safer and more controlled than a track, even if it IS a "DE." I, myself, never was very much fond of AXs as cones seemed really boring to me. But I quickly saw their value at one DE I attended many moons ago when learning to negotiate through cones on a wet, then dry skidpad. This really changed my opinion on AX as I DID in fact start with DEs, and had never attended a single AX. In retrospect, I think I would have progressed more quickly had I started with AX then transitioned into track events. All IMHO, of course.

Edward