RedlineMan

Well...

Lap times, head-to-head comptetition, winning... they can all tell you if you are getting faster, but how? Where? Everyone reaches a point where human objective and subjective analysis will not cut it any longer. There is only one way to really tell you HOW you are doing it, and that is data. You can do one hell of a lot of improving without it, but in the end, it is the ultimate tool. It has a big mouth and it don't lie.

Whether you can utilize all the info is the next problem.

Tom W

Why bother with much beyond the easiest measure - lap times? If the lap time isn't going down (and the car is the same) you are not getting better.

If the car is changing in combination with the reduced lap time and you want to know if it's you or the car, then it's down to data acquisition to tell the tale or if you trust what you feel as you drive. In this case, it's practically impossible to tell if it's you or the car.

trackjunky

Bob Varsha refers to you as "The Maestro!"

Veloce Raptor

I don't solicit anyone, queerbait.

Unlike you.

dmoffitt

BAHAHAHA

(and lol at an angry, indignant VR)

brucegre

then you add "and talk at the same time" - or for race craft "and talk on the the radio at the same time".

And, as mentioned - data don't lie and it's good feedback on where you're good, where you're not.

allegretto

I'm NOT a racer as many of you are here. But I think it's possible that the question was a little more complex than it is being interpreted.

Certainly objective measures have been suggested, racing results and data. But I'm not sure he's satisfied. Perhaps I'm wrong (Lord knows...)

So,to the OP, what are your goals when you say better? Certainly we need to know your metric. Better at what specifically? Technical expertise, enjoyment, satisfaction...what?

Bull

Colin's "steps" are good ones, but only go so far. "Winning" only tells you if you have improved past the abilities of the cars and drivers that show up on given days. How do you know that you are continuing to improve at that point......and at what level are you winning? (this goes to my original question that the Doc just dismissed out of hand). Lap times and data are what I also would come back to for measuring improvement, and particularly consistency.

Veloce Raptor

Angry?

Indignant?

Man, you sure are good at misreading sarcasm.

RedlineMan

This is an excellent point;

For me, success is going out and experiencing many different and variable things; Having fun, being "at one with the car," feeling all the nuances of synergistic driving, and coming back to the pits to share it with my mates. There can also be random situations with other drivers that provide rewarding entertainment. Even an off - well handled - can be satisfying in its own way. I've even managed to have fun even though my car is giving me fits lately.

You can tell that my success markers are not necessarily performance related. They are about the experience. If I had to rely on winning a race, it would surely be a miserable existance. As it is, I win every time I go out!

BostonDMD

It was an open ended question not specifically tailored to my needs.....

I just wanted to know how the driver/racer determines progress in his/her driving skills.......whether they be technical or recreational........

mrbill_fl

lap times, and data acquisition (if you have that), are excellent tools.

-you might also put a 'respected hot shoe' in your car and see what they can do... with the same equipment, and a stop watch, (or data acq), you'll have a much better idea what the car can really do.

I like how Colin broke out race craft, from lap times, etc ... a great driver can win with lesser equipment on a good day. -a good qualifying time is part of race craft.

once you (finally), start racing, I think you'll find its whole new track experience, and you'll be soaking up knowledge just like when you started DE's.

The learning curve will be steep for the 1st year. Accept that you'll be able to drop 2-4 seconds a lap after the 1st year. (or, you'll be 2 seconds off the pace the 1st year running W2W)

Edit: Also, you'll know the difference between catching a car, and PASSING a car...
totally different that a DE... no point bys for cars in class. (then again, pointing by 'leaders' will earn you respect in your 2nd season year)

dmoffitt

pot, kettle - I'm just messing with ya

PS - sarcasm doesn't work well on the intarwebz, there's no tone/inflection

Veloce Raptor

Y'know, you're right. Sometimes folks get it (myself included), and sometimes they don't.

trackjunky

If you can jump in any car, and within two laps be within 1-2 seconds of the fastest times on that track with a similar car..........you might be a good drover.

Being fast in your own car only develops an understanding of your car. Additionally, you develop habits and skills that stagnate due to your clearly defined limits (from experience).

Go drive a different car with different handling characteristics and see how quickly you adapt. This will tell you exactly how well your overall skills have developed.