Arrwin

Hey fellas,

Can anyone recommend a good DE book or video or maybe even a simple link? I'm not looking for anything overly technical, but just a basic beginner/intermediate book to learn about apexes, heel-n-toe, etc. I currently only have one DE under my belt and have signed up for 2 more this season, one at The Glen and LimeRock (probably will have to drop out of this one, however).

Would like to read and try to visualize what I need to do to become a better driver, and hopefully will be able to use some of this knowledge on the track in the future.

Thanks in advance!

911

Arrwin,

Henry Watts has a good book called The Secrets of Solo Racing. He covers all the basics in autocrossing & time trialing. I believe he's a member of the GGR w/ the PCA. Bob Bondurant also has a good book, too. Then, there's a classic from Alan Johnson called Driving in Competition.

As for a video, there's one from Skip Barber called Going Faster that's very good. I have the old version (1986, I think). Happy reading!

akolodesh

I second Rich's recommendations - all very good. Skip Barber's book by the same name is also excellent.

911

Here are some links to these books:

Secrets of Solo Racing
http://www.speednation.com/store/product661.html

Bob Bondurant
http://www.factoryfive.com/table/rac...t/newbook.html

Driving in Competition
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...14437?v=glance

Going Faster
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...14437?v=glance

Note: A few years ago when I was an active writer for the POC magazine, I did an interview with Alan Johnson and we talked about his book. One of the main reasons he wrote it was because there was a rapid increase of accidents w/ both the SCCA & POC during the late '60s.

mauk690

Check out Speed Secrets by Ross Bentley-It's a really good condensed version of how to approach the task of getting faster.
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Mau

Edward

Henry Watts' book is good, and probably the better choice for getting one's feet wet. Personally, I like Barber's "Going Faster" a lot. Another excellent resource is Carroll Smith's "Drive to Win." Enjoyed all these, espcially the latter two, very much!

Edward

Tom W

I have Hank Watts' book, the skippy book (Going Faster) and about 4 of Carroll Smith's books. I think Hank's is best for a novice and Going Faster good once you understand what's going on. Carroll Smith's books are not as easy to apply to a Porsche DE situation. His "Engineer in your pocket" is a great reference while at the track.

For what it's worth, Hank is now the chief instructor for Coastal Driving School and their on-line handbook for DE is available here. It's specific for CDS events but is a reasonable intro to any of the DEs that I've seen in CA. I have to believe it will translate to those of you who live on that other coast.

Surj-993C2S

I read this book a while back (I think its about 30 years old)

The Technique of Motor Racing by Piero Taruffi

Great book but like i said, it is 'old' and is written 'old school' style

911

This book is the bible of all motor racing driving books. It was written in 1959, believe it or not. I bought it when it was re-released in 1988.

Another great book is The Racing Driver by Dennis Jenkinson. This one was also written in the '50s and it applies more to the actual "make up" of what makes a great driver. Excellent stuff!

Martin S.

excellent video program...if you have the time and the $, go to a Formal drivers school, Bob Bindurant, Skip Barber, Bertil Roos, etc. They will teach you concepts and then you can go out and try therm that day on the track.

I spent 4 days at Bondurant, and accumulated 24 Hours of behind the wheel. In the process I went from hopelessly incompetent to mediocre...that ain't bad in 4 days. Driving at speed is not genetic...its a learned skill set, or so I have been told. Get thee to school!

Arrwin

Wow. Thanks for all the priceless suggestions! I looked through all the links and as usual they all look great. I read the preview pages for "Going Faster" on Amazon and have already learned something. I think I will have to visit a Barnes and Noble to see which book will fit my needs best (probably something with a lot of pics as I found them very helpful).

One day, I eventually would like to attend one of these schools as executing everything you just absorbed is the best way to learn, esp. when it's on someone else's car!

Thanks again guys!

Bob Rouleau

Arrwin, I agree with the rest all good books. If you want something more basic (and not racing oriented) you can get the Rennsport Driving Manual for free on-line in pdf format at:

http://www.rennsport.ca/A_driving/re...anual_rev1.pdf

I think you will enjoy it as a good primer. It's what we use for our Driver's Ed program.

Best,

Arrwin

Awesome. Free is always good! It's already printed and ready for the commute home!

Thanks!

Revision: I just skimmed it while it was coming off the printer and I can already tell this is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

pjc

Two others to consider -

The Porsche Driving book by Beck-Burridge & Lyon ISBN 0-9513737-1-4
Porsche High-Performance Driving handbook by Vic Elford ISBN 0-87936-849-8

PJC

jimbone

Also recommend Porsche High Performance Handbook by Vic Elford and going faster, which has a book and a dvd, albeit very technical.