FFaust

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2we_...eature=related

va122

and drive with my eyes closed too.

FFaust

Thanks again and yes, ^^^ that is what I am worried about.

Really, the only "preventer" to this happening yet is that I enjoy the whole P car tracking environment so much: Like-minded people; similar cars; well organized; lots of available events.

I am still unaware of a/the sport racer scene, but I'm sure it's there. It's just a matter of time until I discover it. Heck, 18 months ago I was unaware of the P car track scene...

FFaust

Hey, if it works for you, lol.

I can just imagine the mental challenge to transition from mechanical grip to aero in total abandonment as Ken said above (literary license here). But you know it's there, you just have to trust the force... says the guy sitting comfortably behind his computer keyboard

race911

Time to wear out the multi-quote here............

Is this .5, as in half-a-second, or five seconds? .5, can't worry about it. Five, well then you just pick your spots to incrementally work up. And make sure you're consistent in where you are to form a baseline. Say you were at Thunderhill--until you were running dead predictable 1:55's, consistent in each turn, I'd avoid working you quicker. I'd bet that I could get you to 1:52 by the end of the day. 1:50 (that's kind of my bogey-time with the 1.3L car) would probably mean you'd be over-braking or tentative in two turns, but keeping up everywhere else.

I'll see if I can find the thread I posted on. It was in the last month.

One things these cars should NOT do is scare anyone. They can be driven meekly (but what's the point), or hustled with abandon (which isn't necessarily going to be quick). They're very predictable. But an off is an off. I've had one in the ~100 hours of time on mine. The nose still shows the scar. (Massive understeer off of T2 at Thunderhill from running heat cycled out tires.)

Anyway, you shouldn't be thinking "speed" when you're out on track. I don't. Yeah, you're 20-30 MPH faster in any given corner. But I'm braking it down to a rhythm. Accelerate to a known braking point, brake, turn in, gas, exit. Now, if you're feeling it at 1.7-2.0g, sure it feels different, but the body gets used to it.

I go from the Radical to the Spec Miata to the faux 993RS to (formerly) the near-stock RS America (sometimes the 910) within a couple of hours usually. All present different challenges. The Radical is far and away the easiest to drive within a couple of seconds of its potential, the Spec Miata the most difficult.

(Edit: missed the right quote on this one, I'm sure you can figure it out.)

This is where you just trust what's done before. Either you look at data and see that "Turn X" has been done by entering at 125, braking at the 2, and apex speed of 110.

va122

See bold above

va122

Ken I find myself trailbraking, either out of habit or what but I'm not sure it's right.

race911

Sure, trailbraking is a technique. Pull it back to straight line and work from there. Fast footwork is absolutely critical when you get to purpose built racers, and that's where I feel myself "slowing down" as I near 50. So if you can get it all done braking straight and quickly, quickly transition to at least maintenance throttle you'll get a feel for how the chassis transitions into the apex. From there, it's throttle down and off toward the exit you go.

This is where sometimes the tracks we run are too long. I was with a new guy at Thunderhill, a friend who was out of cars for a long time racing bikes. So after nearly killing himself a couple of times he's having a PRC GTL 911 built. The whole track is just too big to demonstrate some techniques. If we had a ~45 second lap with 4-6 45-80 MPH turns we could just practice, practice, practice and accomplish so much more.

va122

ok straight line it is, I need to work on my braking as it is, no need to complicate it with trailing. I'm just so used to the 911 platform.

race911

If all you've driven is a 996, you have no idea what the 911 platform is or from where it was born. Seriously, try your hand at a 2.2S with 225's all around. I just laugh at myself when I think I was 18 and had a 2.0S in a '68 with 185 XWX recaps and didn't wreck the car or injure/kill myself where I was usually screwing around with it--on dirt. (Wannabe rally driver is where I started with this racing thing.)

ralt12

Or try learning how to make a street 356 with its 165's go fast. All early 911's were, and more so. An exhilarating experience.

va122

Before my GT3 I've been tracking M3's since 95 so I've had some experience with other platforms, but I've been in the GT3 for 4 years now. I have no experience in older 911s but i can certanly respect anyone who can make an older car go fast. You get spoiled in the newer cars

va122

Secured a coach for this weekend! Cant wait to learn to drive the thing.

va122

Update: So I'm at the track now with my coach and he completely revamped my braking. No more trailing the brake into the corner. Brake in a straight line like Ken said and then OFF the brake, turn in let the car roll to the apex and nail the throttle and track out. Sounds so simple but it was worth a whopping 6 seconds!! I'm barely brushing the brake now instead of parking the car before the corner. The cars are so light you don't need much brake at all. Makes all the difference.

race911

Hey, I want a commission!

Wish there were more Radicals up here. They're not that tough to get the hang of, nor hustle around. All about trusting the car.