ASK THE COACH
08-31-2015, 02:22 PM
#2146
Instructor
While you guys were having fun at COTA and MSRH we were at TWS for (can I say it?) BMW CCA Club Racing School.
I have to say I thought it was very well organized and the instruction very professional, and the instructors went out of their way to be helpful and provide feedback.
I loved the drills – 3 wide around the track as fast as your group could go, 2 around as close as possible, rolling starts and restarts, etc. And while I felt like I got competent at flying down the inside while 2 higher HP cars waited patiently for me on the outside of the track to complete my “late braking pass,” I was thinking this is probably as far away from an actual race as it is from a DE.
Except, of course, the final SRE – “simulated racing exercise,” in which apparently ¾ of the class forgot the “simulated” and “exercise” part.
I had a Miata buddy. He was not spec and I had a HP advantage on him, plus I was faster in some of the turns. I would guess my lap times were 1, maybe 2 seconds faster. So for the racing exercise and some open lapping I told him I wanted him in front of me and I’d see if I could get a legitimate pass.
I was behind him probably had a total of 8 laps over 2 sessions and never felt like I had or missed a sure thing pass opportunity. And I’ve read how to do it in books like Going Faster…it seems so easy.
My thought was I wanted to pass the class, and didn’t want to be the guy during debrief they asked, “So…what happened?” So I was conservative. In hindsight I'm thinking I should have been more aggressive in attempting to pass and dealt with the consequences of a failed attempt (which I think would have only been a loss of momentum...I hate that though....)
I realize there is a reason I have a big orange R on the back of my car. I guess what I’m wondering is what is the best way and time frame to gain racing skills? I feel bad for the experienced racers having to have us on the track…seems like a green student sneaking out in the red group....
I have to say I thought it was very well organized and the instruction very professional, and the instructors went out of their way to be helpful and provide feedback.
I loved the drills – 3 wide around the track as fast as your group could go, 2 around as close as possible, rolling starts and restarts, etc. And while I felt like I got competent at flying down the inside while 2 higher HP cars waited patiently for me on the outside of the track to complete my “late braking pass,” I was thinking this is probably as far away from an actual race as it is from a DE.
Except, of course, the final SRE – “simulated racing exercise,” in which apparently ¾ of the class forgot the “simulated” and “exercise” part.
I had a Miata buddy. He was not spec and I had a HP advantage on him, plus I was faster in some of the turns. I would guess my lap times were 1, maybe 2 seconds faster. So for the racing exercise and some open lapping I told him I wanted him in front of me and I’d see if I could get a legitimate pass.
I was behind him probably had a total of 8 laps over 2 sessions and never felt like I had or missed a sure thing pass opportunity. And I’ve read how to do it in books like Going Faster…it seems so easy.
My thought was I wanted to pass the class, and didn’t want to be the guy during debrief they asked, “So…what happened?” So I was conservative. In hindsight I'm thinking I should have been more aggressive in attempting to pass and dealt with the consequences of a failed attempt (which I think would have only been a loss of momentum...I hate that though....)
I realize there is a reason I have a big orange R on the back of my car. I guess what I’m wondering is what is the best way and time frame to gain racing skills? I feel bad for the experienced racers having to have us on the track…seems like a green student sneaking out in the red group....
08-31-2015, 02:52 PM
#2147
Rennlist
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While you guys were having fun at COTA and MSRH we were at TWS for (can I say it?) BMW CCA Club Racing School.
I have to say I thought it was very well organized and the instruction very professional, and the instructors went out of their way to be helpful and provide feedback.
I loved the drills – 3 wide around the track as fast as your group could go, 2 around as close as possible, rolling starts and restarts, etc. And while I felt like I got competent at flying down the inside while 2 higher HP cars waited patiently for me on the outside of the track to complete my “late braking pass,” I was thinking this is probably as far away from an actual race as it is from a DE.
Except, of course, the final SRE – “simulated racing exercise,” in which apparently ¾ of the class forgot the “simulated” and “exercise” part.
I had a Miata buddy. He was not spec and I had a HP advantage on him, plus I was faster in some of the turns. I would guess my lap times were 1, maybe 2 seconds faster. So for the racing exercise and some open lapping I told him I wanted him in front of me and I’d see if I could get a legitimate pass.
I was behind him probably had a total of 8 laps over 2 sessions and never felt like I had or missed a sure thing pass opportunity. And I’ve read how to do it in books like Going Faster…it seems so easy.
My thought was I wanted to pass the class, and didn’t want to be the guy during debrief they asked, “So…what happened?” So I was conservative. In hindsight I'm thinking I should have been more aggressive in attempting to pass and dealt with the consequences of a failed attempt (which I think would have only been a loss of momentum...I hate that though....)
I realize there is a reason I have a big orange R on the back of my car. I guess what I’m wondering is what is the best way and time frame to gain racing skills? I feel bad for the experienced racers having to have us on the track…seems like a green student sneaking out in the red group....
I have to say I thought it was very well organized and the instruction very professional, and the instructors went out of their way to be helpful and provide feedback.
I loved the drills – 3 wide around the track as fast as your group could go, 2 around as close as possible, rolling starts and restarts, etc. And while I felt like I got competent at flying down the inside while 2 higher HP cars waited patiently for me on the outside of the track to complete my “late braking pass,” I was thinking this is probably as far away from an actual race as it is from a DE.
Except, of course, the final SRE – “simulated racing exercise,” in which apparently ¾ of the class forgot the “simulated” and “exercise” part.
I had a Miata buddy. He was not spec and I had a HP advantage on him, plus I was faster in some of the turns. I would guess my lap times were 1, maybe 2 seconds faster. So for the racing exercise and some open lapping I told him I wanted him in front of me and I’d see if I could get a legitimate pass.
I was behind him probably had a total of 8 laps over 2 sessions and never felt like I had or missed a sure thing pass opportunity. And I’ve read how to do it in books like Going Faster…it seems so easy.
My thought was I wanted to pass the class, and didn’t want to be the guy during debrief they asked, “So…what happened?” So I was conservative. In hindsight I'm thinking I should have been more aggressive in attempting to pass and dealt with the consequences of a failed attempt (which I think would have only been a loss of momentum...I hate that though....)
I realize there is a reason I have a big orange R on the back of my car. I guess what I’m wondering is what is the best way and time frame to gain racing skills? I feel bad for the experienced racers having to have us on the track…seems like a green student sneaking out in the red group....
Don't sweat it! Glad to add another to the addiction!
__________________
-Peter Krause
www.peterkrause.net
www.gofasternow.com
"Combining the Art and Science of Driving Fast!"
Specializing in Professional, Private Driver Performance Evaluation and Optimization
Consultation Available Remotely and at VIRginia International Raceway
-Peter Krause
www.peterkrause.net
www.gofasternow.com
"Combining the Art and Science of Driving Fast!"
Specializing in Professional, Private Driver Performance Evaluation and Optimization
Consultation Available Remotely and at VIRginia International Raceway
08-31-2015, 03:46 PM
#2148
Burning Brakes
That was me in "debrief" when I had the pole and got up to 90mph at the S/F line green flag. Oops. Should've been waved off, but they let us go in the interest of time. Total adrenaline thing with the speed just creeping up and up and it cost me as I ran out of gearing and the P2 car got by me. Since I will never be on pole for 1/2 a lifetime at least, I guess I cannot make that mistake again. It was fun as hell though, and I am not sure I can go back to DE's, trains and point bys again.
08-31-2015, 04:06 PM
#2149
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While you guys were having fun at COTA and MSRH we were at TWS for (can I say it?) BMW CCA Club Racing School.
I have to say I thought it was very well organized and the instruction very professional, and the instructors went out of their way to be helpful and provide feedback.
I have to say I thought it was very well organized and the instruction very professional, and the instructors went out of their way to be helpful and provide feedback.
08-31-2015, 04:08 PM
#2150
Rennlist
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08-31-2015, 04:55 PM
#2151
Instructor
Lol...just watched the "I was Seventh!" video. They warned us about that. Classic....
As far as the SRE...I saw it as a final exam with some trick questions thrown in to make sure they wanted to be on the track with you. I was driving 8/10, and if I could have cleanly passed someone great, but I knew going in the odds of that happening in a Miata in a field of higher HP cars the chances were slim.
But is was funny (and fun) to me to see how amped up the group became before and after that drill...and yes...we were told we would have a longer debrief.
And going back to DE will be tough....
As far as the SRE...I saw it as a final exam with some trick questions thrown in to make sure they wanted to be on the track with you. I was driving 8/10, and if I could have cleanly passed someone great, but I knew going in the odds of that happening in a Miata in a field of higher HP cars the chances were slim.
But is was funny (and fun) to me to see how amped up the group became before and after that drill...and yes...we were told we would have a longer debrief.
And going back to DE will be tough....
08-31-2015, 05:05 PM
#2152
Rennlist Member
Wasn't for me. I've raced for five years and still have a ton of fun at DE especially dicing it out with equally fast drivers in a fast and solid run group. I've also been bored at races, when/if there's no one to race with. Working on your lap-times is also fun whether racing or DE, when you're competing against yourself trying to find 1/10ths at various sections of the track.
08-31-2015, 06:40 PM
#2153
Instructor
Wasn't for me. I've raced for five years and still have a ton of fun at DE especially dicing it out with equally fast drivers in a fast and solid run group. I've also been bored at races, when/if there's no one to race with. Working on your lap-times is also fun whether racing or DE, when you're competing against yourself trying to find 1/10ths at various sections of the track.
08-31-2015, 07:38 PM
#2155
While you guys were having fun at COTA and MSRH we were at TWS for (can I say it?) BMW CCA Club Racing School.
I have to say I thought it was very well organized and the instruction very professional, and the instructors went out of their way to be helpful and provide feedback.
I loved the drills – 3 wide around the track as fast as your group could go, 2 around as close as possible, rolling starts and restarts, etc. And while I felt like I got competent at flying down the inside while 2 higher HP cars waited patiently for me on the outside of the track to complete my “late braking pass,” I was thinking this is probably as far away from an actual race as it is from a DE.
Except, of course, the final SRE – “simulated racing exercise,” in which apparently ¾ of the class forgot the “simulated” and “exercise” part.
I had a Miata buddy. He was not spec and I had a HP advantage on him, plus I was faster in some of the turns. I would guess my lap times were 1, maybe 2 seconds faster. So for the racing exercise and some open lapping I told him I wanted him in front of me and I’d see if I could get a legitimate pass.
I was behind him probably had a total of 8 laps over 2 sessions and never felt like I had or missed a sure thing pass opportunity. And I’ve read how to do it in books like Going Faster…it seems so easy.
My thought was I wanted to pass the class, and didn’t want to be the guy during debrief they asked, “So…what happened?” So I was conservative. In hindsight I'm thinking I should have been more aggressive in attempting to pass and dealt with the consequences of a failed attempt (which I think would have only been a loss of momentum...I hate that though....)
I realize there is a reason I have a big orange R on the back of my car. I guess what I’m wondering is what is the best way and time frame to gain racing skills? I feel bad for the experienced racers having to have us on the track…seems like a green student sneaking out in the red group....
I have to say I thought it was very well organized and the instruction very professional, and the instructors went out of their way to be helpful and provide feedback.
I loved the drills – 3 wide around the track as fast as your group could go, 2 around as close as possible, rolling starts and restarts, etc. And while I felt like I got competent at flying down the inside while 2 higher HP cars waited patiently for me on the outside of the track to complete my “late braking pass,” I was thinking this is probably as far away from an actual race as it is from a DE.
Except, of course, the final SRE – “simulated racing exercise,” in which apparently ¾ of the class forgot the “simulated” and “exercise” part.
I had a Miata buddy. He was not spec and I had a HP advantage on him, plus I was faster in some of the turns. I would guess my lap times were 1, maybe 2 seconds faster. So for the racing exercise and some open lapping I told him I wanted him in front of me and I’d see if I could get a legitimate pass.
I was behind him probably had a total of 8 laps over 2 sessions and never felt like I had or missed a sure thing pass opportunity. And I’ve read how to do it in books like Going Faster…it seems so easy.
My thought was I wanted to pass the class, and didn’t want to be the guy during debrief they asked, “So…what happened?” So I was conservative. In hindsight I'm thinking I should have been more aggressive in attempting to pass and dealt with the consequences of a failed attempt (which I think would have only been a loss of momentum...I hate that though....)
I realize there is a reason I have a big orange R on the back of my car. I guess what I’m wondering is what is the best way and time frame to gain racing skills? I feel bad for the experienced racers having to have us on the track…seems like a green student sneaking out in the red group....
08-31-2015, 09:12 PM
#2156
Rennlist Member
I have only done a few W2W race events and I think the most rewarding thing (for me at least) was figuring out how to set up and execute a pass of a slightly slower driver, especially one that has more HP but less speed through corners. Sometimes its taken me 4 or 5 laps. Doing enduro's helps with the learning curve.
09-01-2015, 01:11 PM
#2159
Instructor
Yep...gotta get this enduro thing going. I have a feeling I'll be clueless in spec Miata...but as long as I watch YouTube videos I'll be fine...right?
