My Experience at Laguna on 5/2
05-09-2003 | 04:09 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
My Experience at Laguna on 5/2
Hi All,
I replied to Ted Drake’s post of 1st time at Laguna in late April. Well, in that post I mentioned that the back-half of Laguna felt like I was forcing it, and I knew this was the part of the track I needed to apply the most focus. I definately got the chance to work at some basics on 5/2...
While it looked like it was going to rain heavily all day, according to the weather report, the track was dry for the most-part until 1pm. So by lunch, everyone had 1.5hrs of track time. After lunch, the weather moderated from light sprinkles to very brief rain. I went out at 3:30pm, on my Hoosiers, and drove 1hr straight! I was on the track with 2-3 cars... felt like I had the track to myself. Didn't find the rain disturbing at all. Put 77mi on my car during that hour, and half a tank of gas! WOW, most fun I've had in some time (not often I get a chance to drive unfettered, much less for 1hr straight!).
During my dream hour, I tried to make a perfect lap. Didn't happen, despite my best efforts. What I mean by a perfect lap is no loss of traction at all, complete and total smoothness. For example, if I got on the gas too early coming out of a corner the rear would slide, miss the apex by the slightest amount and the front would push. Don't unwind the wheel with perfect timing coming out of a corner and you loose grip. I was driving at the limit, no question... and covered 77mi in about an hour.
Long story short, that was the best learning experience I've had in some time. I feel much better about 8 and 10; two corners that I know weren't smooth as I wanted. I tightened up 4, 5, and 6. 11 didn't work too well in the rain for me(I think I need more practice on that turn anyway). I feel really good about the experience I gained during the event. My line didn't change much at all, really a few feet here and there on turn-in, braking zones, and approach. But that made a big difference for me.
I almost wish it would have rained in the morning so I could have gotten the technique down then run on a dry track, putting those skills to practice. Guess I'll just have to wait for 5/16, or 6/1 to cement my learnings on a dry track.
I replied to Ted Drake’s post of 1st time at Laguna in late April. Well, in that post I mentioned that the back-half of Laguna felt like I was forcing it, and I knew this was the part of the track I needed to apply the most focus. I definately got the chance to work at some basics on 5/2...
While it looked like it was going to rain heavily all day, according to the weather report, the track was dry for the most-part until 1pm. So by lunch, everyone had 1.5hrs of track time. After lunch, the weather moderated from light sprinkles to very brief rain. I went out at 3:30pm, on my Hoosiers, and drove 1hr straight! I was on the track with 2-3 cars... felt like I had the track to myself. Didn't find the rain disturbing at all. Put 77mi on my car during that hour, and half a tank of gas! WOW, most fun I've had in some time (not often I get a chance to drive unfettered, much less for 1hr straight!).
During my dream hour, I tried to make a perfect lap. Didn't happen, despite my best efforts. What I mean by a perfect lap is no loss of traction at all, complete and total smoothness. For example, if I got on the gas too early coming out of a corner the rear would slide, miss the apex by the slightest amount and the front would push. Don't unwind the wheel with perfect timing coming out of a corner and you loose grip. I was driving at the limit, no question... and covered 77mi in about an hour.
Long story short, that was the best learning experience I've had in some time. I feel much better about 8 and 10; two corners that I know weren't smooth as I wanted. I tightened up 4, 5, and 6. 11 didn't work too well in the rain for me(I think I need more practice on that turn anyway). I feel really good about the experience I gained during the event. My line didn't change much at all, really a few feet here and there on turn-in, braking zones, and approach. But that made a big difference for me.
I almost wish it would have rained in the morning so I could have gotten the technique down then run on a dry track, putting those skills to practice. Guess I'll just have to wait for 5/16, or 6/1 to cement my learnings on a dry track.
05-09-2003 | 05:43 PM
#2
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 17,643
Likes: 8
From: Phoenix, Az
It sure is fun to have a clear track like that when you want to work on perfecting your line. You get attempt after attempt after attempt and there is nobody around to disturb your rhythm. Truly outstanding! <img border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" title="" src="graemlins/bigok.gif" />