So who got nailed by the Mustang at VIR?
07-11-2019, 12:02 PM
#451
07-11-2019, 12:15 PM
#452
True, but the problem for GT3 guys on streetable tires is that there are better tires, faster cars, and worst of all: better drivers with equal or better cars/tires! 
I wasn't entirely joking when I brought up the topic. There has to be a special satisfaction for a Mustang driver to not get passed in a Chin Red group, pass lots of Porsches in that group, and finally pass what appears to be the fastest GT3 in that group. That may have contributed to his mistake. If he had learned the art of making excuses for not being faster (my tires were shot, my brake pedal was starting getting soft, my fluid temp was getting too high, etc.), he might have been less motivated to try to pass the GT3. For better and worse, a lot of what we do in life is motivated by trying to maintain self-esteem.
I wasn't entirely joking when I brought up the topic. There has to be a special satisfaction for a Mustang driver to not get passed in a Chin Red group, pass lots of Porsches in that group, and finally pass what appears to be the fastest GT3 in that group. That may have contributed to his mistake. If he had learned the art of making excuses for not being faster (my tires were shot, my brake pedal was starting getting soft, my fluid temp was getting too high, etc.), he might have been less motivated to try to pass the GT3. For better and worse, a lot of what we do in life is motivated by trying to maintain self-esteem.
Second, was a change in mindset. I think of point-byes as "letting the faster cars through" and not so much as "I am being passed"! LOL...might sound like a small difference but it's huge (at least for me). The thought of 'being passed' brings out a competitive-side in some of us that can lead to cloudy judgment, which under the a wrong set of conditions can have disastrous outcomes. Thankfully, running with Chin in their 'Happy Hour' was instrumental in helping me develop this change in mindset. When you're on track in a GT3 on street-legal DOT track tires along with 997/991 GT3 Cup cars, GT4 Clubsports, fully-prepped race cars and even the odd LMP2 type car...the concept of "letting the faster cars through" becomes very easy to embrace and I carried this mindset over to my PCA DE track days. There is no shame in letting the faster guys through...frankly, the faster I let those guys through, the quicker I can return to driving my line and my pace and enjoying myself, not to mention working on the areas of self improvement that the DE environment is designed to facilitate.
I find that I don't work on my craft or learn as much when I'm either trying to keep someone from passing me or when I'm vigorously chasing someone..the focus shifts FROM the technical driving elements I am trying to improve TO the car either in my rear-view mirror or ahead of me. Those tend to be my sloppiest laps (although I must confess that I've also set some track PB's when in pursuit of faster/better drivers). The key for me comes down to the ability to control my emotions behind the wheel (as mentioned earlier). We learn every day we're on track. I hope Mustang Guy learnt something, upon reflection of the events that led to his incident.
07-11-2019, 01:56 PM
#453
The Penguin King
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07-11-2019, 02:46 PM
#454
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A real GT3 guy upgrades himself on what is already the perfect weapon for the job rather than "upgrading" to more HP+grip -- then goes on to eat those "faster" cars for lunch anyway.
07-11-2019, 03:16 PM
#455
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I drew the line at GT3 with the factory Cup 2 tires. If that's not fast enough to win some DE sessions, so be it. The temptation to cross the line is always there, but the costs and hassles are prohibitive. And again, being on street tires often provides a convenient excuse for not being faster!
07-11-2019, 04:07 PM
#456
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Every single car can always be driven just a bit faster by someone else
07-11-2019, 04:14 PM
#457
Nordschleife Master
There are much better track cars out there than GT3s. Don’t get me wrong, a GT3 is a great car, but the GT2RS and Viper ACR are both much, much better And the list is longer than just these 2.
07-11-2019, 04:29 PM
#458
The Penguin King
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07-11-2019, 04:34 PM
#459
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Originally Posted by mglobe
FIFY
07-11-2019, 04:40 PM
#460
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07-11-2019, 06:02 PM
#461
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07-11-2019, 07:08 PM
#463
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Thats a shame, that could be valuable information.
07-11-2019, 07:20 PM
#464
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Originally Posted by Dr.Bill
When I have a pro drive mine, I take out the lap timer.
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Kevin Fennell (07-11-2019)