Suggestions for learning out of the car?
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Suggestions for learning out of the car?
I'd be grateful if folks could suggest articles or books I can read to improve my driving - going to a school is not an option right now and I'd rather read about it first even if I do take a DE or something down the road. I'm a new porsche driver with an '03 996 Targa.
Thanks,
LB
Thanks,
LB
#2
Super Moderator
Needs More Cowbell
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Needs More Cowbell
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
All of the Speed Secrets books (6 total?) by Ross Bentley
Going Faster by Skip Barber
High Performance Driving by Bob Bondurant
BTW, as you might except, BostonDMD had started a thread on this:
https://rennlist.com/forums/racing-a...or-videos.html
If you search this forum, you will find that his threads are excellent reading.
Now, off to Amazon.com
Going Faster by Skip Barber
High Performance Driving by Bob Bondurant
BTW, as you might except, BostonDMD had started a thread on this:
https://rennlist.com/forums/racing-a...or-videos.html
If you search this forum, you will find that his threads are excellent reading.
Now, off to Amazon.com
#4
Lifetime Rennlist Member
Books are great but there is no substitute for seat time and you can get that every time you are in any car.
Learn to feel where the weight is and where it is transferring to. When going around a corner, learn to feel the tire slip. On a cloverleaf, even at lower speeds, lift off the throttle and see/feel how the car changes direction - then changes back when you apply some throttle.
You would be surprised how much you can learn at low speeds in any car (actually the mushier the better). Weight transfer and slip angles will carry over to the track.
Learn to feel where the weight is and where it is transferring to. When going around a corner, learn to feel the tire slip. On a cloverleaf, even at lower speeds, lift off the throttle and see/feel how the car changes direction - then changes back when you apply some throttle.
You would be surprised how much you can learn at low speeds in any car (actually the mushier the better). Weight transfer and slip angles will carry over to the track.
#5
Rennlist Member
I would add the use of a good computer simulator like iRacing during the off season or track hiatus. Eye/hand/foot coordination and you can learn a track layout as they are accurate to the extreme.
#6
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
+1. I like to think of an out of town business trip as a DIY DE in a rental car!
In your own car, create challenges for yourself in everyday driving...
In your own car, create challenges for yourself in everyday driving...
Try to carry momentum where you might otherwise brake.
Test yourself on how many miles you can squeeze out of tank of gas to appreciate sources of kinetic energy preservation.
Hold the steering wheel with as light a touch as possible in order to learn what the front suspension is doing in relation to the road surface.
Heel-toe on the way to the grocery story.
Vary your shift points, brake pressure, etc. in order to learn how your car feels in a myriad of scenarios.
If you like math and physics, read "The Physics of Racing" by Brian Beckman.
Test yourself on how many miles you can squeeze out of tank of gas to appreciate sources of kinetic energy preservation.
Hold the steering wheel with as light a touch as possible in order to learn what the front suspension is doing in relation to the road surface.
Heel-toe on the way to the grocery story.
Vary your shift points, brake pressure, etc. in order to learn how your car feels in a myriad of scenarios.
#7
All of the Speed Secrets books (6 total?) by Ross Bentley
Going Faster by Skip Barber
High Performance Driving by Bob Bondurant
BTW, as you might except, BostonDMD had started a thread on this:
https://rennlist.com/forums/racing-a...or-videos.html
If you search this forum, you will find that his threads are excellent reading.
Now, off to Amazon.com
Going Faster by Skip Barber
High Performance Driving by Bob Bondurant
BTW, as you might except, BostonDMD had started a thread on this:
https://rennlist.com/forums/racing-a...or-videos.html
If you search this forum, you will find that his threads are excellent reading.
Now, off to Amazon.com
You can practice every day in your car, as a few things will translate from the street to the track: heel-toe, vision, and steering using the crossover rather than shuffling. You can also practice curling your toes under braking to develop that feel [i.e., (only when safe!) brake until your ABS kicks in and curl your toes until it stops ABSing]. Maybe speed sensing as well.
But you will ultimately need seat time to put it all together! Good luck!
-td
Trending Topics
#11
Instructor
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for all the tips, ordering a book or two to add to my winter reading. I like the rental car comment! This extended business trip has me walking everywhere - and its hard getting used to seeing multiple C4S's and Turbo's on the street everyday. London is funny like that - along with seeing every other high end sports car that you never see in the states. I miss my targa.
-LB
-LB
#12
Nordschleife Master
The Ross stuff and other books are great. One thing that would be every good to do is a Driver Skills Day with your local PCA or some other 911 focused training. It provides a safe environment to learn the dynamics of our rear engine cars. You will do wet skid pads, auto cross, slalom and a few other skills. It is a perfect experience for someone just getting in a 911.
#13
Rennlist Member
I'd get out there with what you've got, even if you never envision track driving as a lifetime hobby. Had a student on Friday, multiple SCCA autocross champion out here (from what I was told), but only his third track day. Knew all the "right stuff" but was almost completely lost with any semblance of situational awareness when we were out on track. I got pretty frustrated, internally of course. So I may be in the minority here, but I'd rather have someone more raw and be a good street level driver than a guy who has memorized a bunch of technique and comes to the track trying to put it in practice.
#14
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Rennlist Member
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
#15
Karting... Man I must say that I've enjoyed the karting track here in my town... they're not "fun" karts, and the folks running the place want it to be run as if you're at a track day... they black flag you for any bumping and if you pass on a caution, you get moved to the back of the field...Love it!
I also LOVE LOVE LOVE everything written by Ross Bentley.
Mike
I also LOVE LOVE LOVE everything written by Ross Bentley.
Mike