+1
I was just going to write the same. The lesson from the incident for the OP is not “should/shouldn’t have done this or that then with your steering or throttle” — it’s: learn car control, and apply/practice it going forward until it becomes a reflex (a hardwired network connecting butt, eyes, brain, feet, and hands into a seamless whole). There’s no time to think and remember RL instructions as you throw+correct your car over/under the grip limit around the track. Once perfected and as he advances, this will become his mode of driving at the limit at all times, not just something that occasionally saves him from a crash.

I divide my track history into “pre car control” and “post car control” (akin to B.C./A.C. for the calendar). That’s how important for me was learning car control at Skip Barber racing school with Bruce MacInes and the gang. It’s one of those “aha!” moments that open your eyes and change night into day.

OP, watch the Skip Barber video posted here, especially the first 30mins where the basics are explained including the car control part on the skid-pad.

 

Kind of ironic that turn 9 is one of my favorites at Laguna Seca....Suggest that those that are new to Laguna Seca, buy and watch Speed Secrets "Virtual Track Walk" for Laguna Seca***. less than $50, a real bargain, and extremely well done. If you are a obsessive/compulsive bonafide real track "nut", screen print all the pdf files/illustrations, put them in sheet protectors and into a notebook. That way you can review the best/safest way around Laguna Seca, or any other track that Speed Secrets has done, maybe make notes on the sheet protectors with a Sharpie. This may be the easiest way to review the Program, at the track.

Did I read the OP stating that the anti-roll bars were set to full soft on front and full stiff on the rear? Perhaps some version of the reciprocal would gave been better. Full stiff to me, in my car, means that I want the car loose, to toss the car around, as in an auto-cross.....Loose at Laguna Seca leaves little room for error, having minimal space for off track excursions.

OP was a lucky chap...I am certain a valuable lesson has been learned....and all the advice sought out and provide...epic.

***One of the first things that you learn in the "Virtual Track Walk" for Laguna Seca", this can be a slippery track, low on grip in certain areas. I am going back to Laguna Seca in a few weeks with PCA....needless to say, I'll be re-watching the Speed Secrets video many times.....might even look at my own video of LS, taken on June 30, 2019....I saw some areas for improvement, well OK, lots of area for improvement.

Lastly, the video confirms my feeling and that of others, you need to video your sessions to best analyze your performance. The best case, overlay video and data and review simultaneously.

 

Thanks for the tip on the speed secrets video. Didn't know that existed! Regarding anti-roll bar settings etc, that wasn't me. Outside the safety equipment, my car is all stock.

 

https://speedsecrets.com/virtual-track-walks/ Scroll down for LSR

That's fine. The car is more capable than most who will drive it...

 

Just bought the video. Thanks - this will come in handy.

 

All the technical points and percentages are great to talk about but….
These cars are so good and confident inspiring that you build up to crazy speeds, like a video game. Then a mistake is made and it’s not like a video game anymore.
I agree go the Miata route…..

 

Dion, many thanks for posting the video. Always nice to have another pro jump in to give us ham-fisted amateurs a little help and guidance.

OP, did you offer to buy your passenger a new pair of undercrackers?

 

6 year bump. Nice …