View Poll Results: Are racers more skilled drivers than DE guys?
Duh! Of course they are
91
81.98%
No! Just look at how many incidents occurred at this year's Crash at the Glen
7
6.31%
No - they have the same skills but racers have faster cars
13
11.71%
Voters: 111. You may not vote on this poll
Are racers more skilled drivers than DE guys?
06-23-2009, 05:52 PM
#32
Rennlist Member
06-23-2009, 05:56 PM
#33
Rennlist Member
Cliff Notes version: Racing in the rain in a P car or open cockpit race car is a LITTLE bit different than DE experience. Though I did learn a lot coming up through DE while drving my 911 in the wet. But when you throw in door handle to door handle racing in the rain, BIG difference.
06-23-2009, 06:56 PM
#35
During winter, I run a go-cart endurance series.
Pretty harmless stuff and great fun. The money to run it, is in comparison to tracking, pocket change. But still, it's racing. And somehow, no matter how relaxed the intentions are, after ½ lap, it gets dead serious. (Surprise? No, not really)
One of the joys is "the pro vs. joe" moment. It contains everything from factory drivers to DE drivers. To sum the results up. All pros are basically in ~a second from each other. DE drivers, instructors and club racers: +2 seconds from each other and are really off pace in the beginning. By the end of the season there is maybe 10% of the these drivers who can truly challenge the pros. Even if it's only temporary for a few laps, they can do it.
So, I my guess is there is plenty of talent out there. But it needs to be polished, practised and financed. But sure, there are some really quick DE drivers, but perhaps not that consistent performance always?
Pretty harmless stuff and great fun. The money to run it, is in comparison to tracking, pocket change. But still, it's racing. And somehow, no matter how relaxed the intentions are, after ½ lap, it gets dead serious. (Surprise? No, not really)
One of the joys is "the pro vs. joe" moment. It contains everything from factory drivers to DE drivers. To sum the results up. All pros are basically in ~a second from each other. DE drivers, instructors and club racers: +2 seconds from each other and are really off pace in the beginning. By the end of the season there is maybe 10% of the these drivers who can truly challenge the pros. Even if it's only temporary for a few laps, they can do it.
So, I my guess is there is plenty of talent out there. But it needs to be polished, practised and financed. But sure, there are some really quick DE drivers, but perhaps not that consistent performance always?
06-23-2009, 07:01 PM
#37
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Either could be a good driver. To put it simple, it takes skill to drive fast around a track. It takes additional skill to do the same in traffic. So, racing will give different skill sets than doing DE's alone. MOST of the time, really good DE guys make good race car drivers.
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06-23-2009, 08:13 PM
#38
Perfect Angel
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There are always exceptions to the generalities but from my experience as a new racer I would say yes, racers are better drivers for all the reasons stated. I am mid pack at best so I don't have that mystical racer skill yet and I am constantly stunned at the cars/drivers that pass me and the way they pass me, over the curb, sideways , never losing momentum. Some insane stuff goes on on the race track.
As an example, my lap times at the Glen were over 4 seconds better than the last time I was there by necessity. Keep up or get run over.
As an example, my lap times at the Glen were over 4 seconds better than the last time I was there by necessity. Keep up or get run over.
06-23-2009, 08:21 PM
#39
Still plays with cars.
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Poll needs an option 4) Some are some are not.
I've seen some pretty crappy driving in races where courage and a big budget are substitues for driving skill, finess and racecraft.
I've seen some pretty crappy driving in races where courage and a big budget are substitues for driving skill, finess and racecraft.
06-23-2009, 08:21 PM
#40
Still plays with cars.
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Poll needs an option 4) Some are some are not.
I've seen some pretty crappy driving in races where courage and a big budget are substitues for driving skill, finess and racecraft.
I've seen some pretty crappy driving in races where courage and a big budget are substitues for driving skill, finess and racecraft.
06-23-2009, 08:34 PM
#41
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Maybe an option of "almost all are but a few are not". I agree that there are always a few boneheads out there but by and large, most racers are quite skilled.
06-23-2009, 09:04 PM
#42
Rennlist Member
Thank you for the explanations. The only reason i asked was i just did a DE and then i started watching some racing. SO i tried the racing line and to me it felt smoother and it was faster.
06-23-2009, 09:11 PM
#43
Addict
Rennlist Member
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Good Poll, Bad Choices;
There are some extremely talented PCA racers out there. No question about that. There are also at least an equal number that would not make good Red Group DE drivers. No question there either. Some of those guys may improve, and some will not.
The answer to the poll is yes, and no.
There are some extremely talented PCA racers out there. No question about that. There are also at least an equal number that would not make good Red Group DE drivers. No question there either. Some of those guys may improve, and some will not.
The answer to the poll is yes, and no.
06-23-2009, 09:32 PM
#44
06-23-2009, 09:33 PM
#45
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Regarding Lines;
I see no distinction between venues - DE or Race - as to what line you take on a flying lap. The only distinction to be made regards driver skill. If I were to try the wide entry late apex lines that I teach my novice students, I would fly right off the track because I am going too fast on corner entry. If I tried to get my students to drive the tight inside line that I must use at the speed I am going, we would biff for sure. They simply are not going fast enough to make an apex that long without getting in trouble.
So, if you can drive a wide line at full speed, you are either slow or insane(ly talented?). If you have to drive a tight inside line, then you are probably pretty quick.
This all goes out the window when someone else has that line, though.
I see no distinction between venues - DE or Race - as to what line you take on a flying lap. The only distinction to be made regards driver skill. If I were to try the wide entry late apex lines that I teach my novice students, I would fly right off the track because I am going too fast on corner entry. If I tried to get my students to drive the tight inside line that I must use at the speed I am going, we would biff for sure. They simply are not going fast enough to make an apex that long without getting in trouble.
So, if you can drive a wide line at full speed, you are either slow or insane(ly talented?). If you have to drive a tight inside line, then you are probably pretty quick.
This all goes out the window when someone else has that line, though.