Pat Long Vintage Racing Last Weekend At Chuckwalla....
11-23-2011, 06:43 PM
#32
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It's a joy to see talent like that really just enjoying the drive. It really makes you appreciate the whole concept of 10/10ths...when he backed off it was almost silly, a Sunday drive around the park...
JR come on over! I'm going to try more crossover events this next season and get to know more of the Cali tracks and racers...putting all my efforts this year into working on the driver, need a "clinic" like that one!...
JR come on over! I'm going to try more crossover events this next season and get to know more of the Cali tracks and racers...putting all my efforts this year into working on the driver, need a "clinic" like that one!...
11-23-2011, 06:49 PM
#33
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Chad, I adore your car, am envious of your experiences with Pat in your car. What always surprises me is how "early" pro drivers seem to get to the inside of the turn/apex. It stands to reason that 10th's are shaved as they create a shorter distance at the expense of giving up a larger radius, but I suppose what differentiates being "FAST" and being "fast" is the ability to correct and control a car at the limit all the way around the turn at that shorter distance, rather than simply finding the largest radius. Awesome stuff.
11-23-2011, 07:41 PM
#34
11-23-2011, 08:54 PM
#35
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You guys need to understand--- Plavan's car has no tail or rear spoiler/wing. Just has the stock deck lid. The rear is very loose in this config, and the car is very twitchy and greatly affected by cross winds.
Last edited by flatsics; 12-17-2012 at 04:46 PM.
11-23-2011, 09:24 PM
#36
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11-23-2011, 09:31 PM
#37
Race Car
I don't think Plavan's car is that loose because of aero. Those aren't 130-mph corners where the car's rear end is stepping out. It's suspension. I think some of you guys with modern 911s maybe forget what driving the early cars is like. The suspension is a LOT less capable.
On top of that, the car has a very stiff rear swaybar, so it's pretty loose, even as torsion-bar 911s go.
Plus, it's got a built motor that is pretty strong, relative to the car's weight.
On top of that, it's a very light car compared to modern cars. And with no power steering, the kickback to the steering wheel exaggerates the wheel/hand movement -- some of it is the driver sawing the wheel and some of it is the wheel sawing the driver.
But he's definitely staying close to the car's limits. You can see how calm things get when he's loping along waiting for the number two car to catch up.
My own car isn't so different, except that I've got more push than Plavan's car -- something I'm looking to ween myself from. But modern race cars behave a lot more like a car with more push built in, even when they don't actually have more push built into them.
In any case, that is an awesome video, and a tribute to a really nicely set up car and a very capable professional driver (who's showing us all why he is paid for what he does).
On top of that, the car has a very stiff rear swaybar, so it's pretty loose, even as torsion-bar 911s go.
Plus, it's got a built motor that is pretty strong, relative to the car's weight.
On top of that, it's a very light car compared to modern cars. And with no power steering, the kickback to the steering wheel exaggerates the wheel/hand movement -- some of it is the driver sawing the wheel and some of it is the wheel sawing the driver.
But he's definitely staying close to the car's limits. You can see how calm things get when he's loping along waiting for the number two car to catch up.
My own car isn't so different, except that I've got more push than Plavan's car -- something I'm looking to ween myself from. But modern race cars behave a lot more like a car with more push built in, even when they don't actually have more push built into them.
In any case, that is an awesome video, and a tribute to a really nicely set up car and a very capable professional driver (who's showing us all why he is paid for what he does).
11-23-2011, 09:49 PM
#38
Awesome drive, almost as good as King Leh's video from Sebring. Maybe only difference was that Leh owned (?) his car and Patrick doesn't.
Great car, driven properly...early in, a little lift and balance increasing throttle pressure, quick hands.
Old school, f***ing classic.
Great car, driven properly...early in, a little lift and balance increasing throttle pressure, quick hands.
Old school, f***ing classic.
11-23-2011, 10:07 PM
#40
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Awesome drive, almost as good as King Leh's video from Sebring. Maybe only difference was that Leh owned (?) his car and Patrick doesn't.
Great car, driven properly...early in, a little lift and balance increasing throttle pressure, quick hands.
Old school, f***ing classic.
Great car, driven properly...early in, a little lift and balance increasing throttle pressure, quick hands.
Old school, f***ing classic.
11-24-2011, 04:26 PM
#41
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I KNOW I would be faster in that car set up more neutral than the way it's set up now. When I put my big torsion bars on, it was handling like that and I hated it. After 3 or 4 races I finally dialed it in again to get the rear to stick like glue and it's much more fun to drive and best of all faster than ever. Some people might like driving a car like that, and may be fast in it, but not me. Just another viewpoint, and tryiung to help. I loved watching and Pat is one of my biggest racing heros.
With that said, it does look like a fun car to drive.
When Patrick raced it 4 years ago, he suggested making the rear stiffer. Since then I did, 31mm rear bars were put in.
After his first session at Chuckwalla, he said he would not change a thing. He said "This car is awesome, its a Beast" and "This is the most fun driving I have had all year". The best was comment was "How much $ do these cars go for? I think I need one." He was sold.
It handled the way he would like it to. Different folks, different strokes.
After his first session at Chuckwalla, he said he would not change a thing. He said "This car is awesome, its a Beast" and "This is the most fun driving I have had all year". The best was comment was "How much $ do these cars go for? I think I need one." He was sold.
It handled the way he would like it to. Different folks, different strokes.
11-24-2011, 05:02 PM
#42
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11-26-2011, 01:13 PM
#43
Rennlist Member
This is a good point, setup the car to make the owner fast, not the coach. I prefer a slightly loose car, but I'm not going to dial in the car like that if the owner isn't comfortable and fast with that. It doesn't do any good if the owner has no confidence in the car, doesn't have similar car control skills to PL, and can't repeatedly drive it to that lap time. A fast lap doesn't win a race, fast lapS do.
With that said, it does look like a fun car to drive.
With that said, it does look like a fun car to drive.
For me, I cant think of a better motivator/confidence builder in the car if Patrick says it perfect. Then to see him flying around the track in "My" car, shows me that the car can do it. Yes he is a pro, and I can only hope I can drive as good as him one day.
I have no problem driving it loose, I prefer it. When looking at the data, he was faster than me in 3 corners (by carrying more speed to straights). I just need to be faster in certain areas and leave the skirt at home.
11-28-2011, 09:43 AM
#45
Rennlist Member
I understand what you are saying. That may be true in alot of cases.
For me, I cant think of a better motivator/confidence builder in the car if Patrick says it perfect. Then to see him flying around the track in "My" car, shows me that the car can do it. Yes he is a pro, and I can only hope I can drive as good as him one day.
I have no problem driving it loose, I prefer it. When looking at the data, he was faster than me in 3 corners (by carrying more speed to straights). I just need to be faster in certain areas and leave the skirt at home.
For me, I cant think of a better motivator/confidence builder in the car if Patrick says it perfect. Then to see him flying around the track in "My" car, shows me that the car can do it. Yes he is a pro, and I can only hope I can drive as good as him one day.
I have no problem driving it loose, I prefer it. When looking at the data, he was faster than me in 3 corners (by carrying more speed to straights). I just need to be faster in certain areas and leave the skirt at home.
IMO, a good coach will help set up the car to be fast, and then help the driver drive closer to its potential, rather than set the car up for the driver. JMHO...