ProCoach

Yes, what I do with folks who have a sim or access to a sim with iRacing is have them practice an hour or two (so they can do a lap and not crash) and then I arrange a private hosted session online.

For three hours, we first stop at each corner (do a virtual track walk) and I ask you to look at certain permanent landmarks, low, middle and high and we talk about lateral placement on the track at any given point. Then, you ride with me while we talk, then we do a little lead/follow. It works great.

I wrote the Road America lap in the Grassroots "Great Tracks" article, but could have done any of them.

Best, Peter

67King

QUOTE=mrbill_fl;10362418]mby try roebling road?

not that far from ATL... fast, but not too hard to pickup.... (w scca/pboc/nasa)[/QUOTE]

Hit up RRR last year in February. First time I started out solo on a new track - and they had me instructing too :eek Very different from Road Atlanta. I'm going to Atlanta Motorsports Park in a couple of weeks, as well, as much to shake out the car as anything else.

I'm going to elaborate on my goal a little bit. I'm just wanted to get by the damn rookie thing. I pulled a Roberto Guerrero last year, which kept me from racing, and this year, I blew the rear main seal out of the engine. I obviously don't want to be the proverbial rolling chicane, but any delusions of grandeur just ain't there.

J richard

I think spending time on a good sim is invaluable Iracing, Forza, in getting to know the track. I'd spend the time in front of a PC getting a lay of the land rather than my first two sessions on the track. Some are remarkably accurate, and once on the track you can easily recall what you picked up from the sim. You can pick up the basic line, but slip angle and exact apexes are better seen in a good on track video.

All of this really helps building your confidence stepping into a new track. Just learning the corners is invaluable in the drivers meeting talking about track conditions, flagging, pit in etc...

DrJupeman

I used Forza to learn the Nordschleife, it really helped me when I drove there.

scott40

Peter,
That is all done virtually? Very cool. Going to keep you in mind...

ProCoach

Yes, Scott. All done with you at your location and me at mine. Using headsets set up and tested before the appointment, then using cars and tracks that we both have (I have every car and every track), I set up a private session called "Watkins Glen Private Coaching" or (wherever we are working) under my name. I give you the password and we are on! I usually set it for three hours, my minimum charge, and it works like a charm.

Biggest variable are people's equipment. iRacing is automatically self-scaling on the graphics detail level. If you have a high-zoot machine (like I do), you can see the antenna a mile and a half away to line up for the Keyhole at Mid-Ohio on the Club Course, the PA speaker on the pole lining up for Bishops coming out of Tower Turn at Sebring and the transformer on the pole by the bathroom lining up the entry of Turn 5 at Road Atlanta. It's incredible!

Whatever your computer level, we can get a LOT done in one appointment.

I do this with remote data and video, too.

LuigiVampa

Before I go to a track I usually pull it up on youtube and play it all day long while I am on confernce calls at work.

certz

That sounds awesome. One of the things I watched very closely when watching Larry's laps was car placement - as obviously my 993 is not the same as a 996 cup and there will be plenty of difference between speed and handling characteristics. I had previously watched other videos of 993's and they were all over the place not only between the different drivers but lap after lap - Larry is consistent with his line lap after lap.

I have already setup a day with Dave on Wednesday before the club race but might be interested in this type of instruction as well. My biggest issue would be "reserving" time on my buddies machine

944hal

Video and sims can help with knowing whether to turn left or right. However, my experience with new tracks is they never drive they way they look on video. Coaching is great with regard to visuals and positioning, especially if the coach drives a similar car. Take is easy the first couple of times out, even if you need to follow a more experienced, but slower class driver. It's not the straight speed that's important, but corner entry and exit. A veteran in a slower class can be a great pathfinder.

KRA993tt

WG doesn't have the blind stuff that Road Atlanta has. Generally you can see where the road is going. A straight followed by a turn for the most part. Turn 9 might be the only turn that you can't really see through. WG is a great track, wide, fast, and fun. Good luck!

67King

Sorry for a dumb question, but when I look at iRacing, I am left with the impression that it is more of a competition like thing, meaning I can't just plug in and run the track any time I want. Am I mistaken? I'd probably be stuck using it late at night, after 67Prince, 67Princesses, and 67Queen are all in bed. Can I just do an open track?

I am signed up for 2 days of DE's, but if I can get a little visibility beforehand, I might like to.

Gary R.

You can run laps to your hearts content with no one on the track with you. If you want to practice/qual/race with other people there are people running 24/7 from all over the world so you will be alone only if you choose to be.

ProCoach

Yes, you can. This is what I do 99% of the time.

Select the track, select the car and select "Test" next to "Race" on the top right hand side of the home screen. Any time, as long as you want.