More track time or faster, more competitive car?
10-04-2013 | 10:29 AM
#61
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,929
Likes: 534
From: Onterrible
You are putting the cart before the horse.
Real racers will race anything. They are not concerned with "like" because the car is a means to an end, just a tool. If it is uncompetitive they will help engineer it to become competitive. If it's already fast they will make it faster. If it sucks it gets replaced with something more competitive in class and the process starts over. A common joke we have is if there was a shopping cart class we'd all line up ready to rock.
Stop worrying about the car and start thinking about how you need to develop the experience necessary to be competitive in whichever environment you want to be in.
Using a sim is only one example of getting seat time. There are others, many of which are much cheaper than a 6 figure sim.
Real racers will race anything. They are not concerned with "like" because the car is a means to an end, just a tool. If it is uncompetitive they will help engineer it to become competitive. If it's already fast they will make it faster. If it sucks it gets replaced with something more competitive in class and the process starts over. A common joke we have is if there was a shopping cart class we'd all line up ready to rock.
Stop worrying about the car and start thinking about how you need to develop the experience necessary to be competitive in whichever environment you want to be in.
Using a sim is only one example of getting seat time. There are others, many of which are much cheaper than a 6 figure sim.
10-04-2013 | 10:59 AM
#62
Addict
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Montreal
+1
To stay in shape in terms of driving between events and during the autumn and spring, I started racing 4 stroke karts. That is dirt cheap. Could have gone with the Rotax Max, but I don't see the point. Again, it is slower and you can see your mistakes in a split second and it costs a lot in terms of position on the track when you make one. So you put your mind in that area where you always want to improve otherwise you stay behind the pack, which is not what you want. If you have the skills, the rest is all in you head. So you need to practive more to achieve that mindset.
c.
To stay in shape in terms of driving between events and during the autumn and spring, I started racing 4 stroke karts. That is dirt cheap. Could have gone with the Rotax Max, but I don't see the point. Again, it is slower and you can see your mistakes in a split second and it costs a lot in terms of position on the track when you make one. So you put your mind in that area where you always want to improve otherwise you stay behind the pack, which is not what you want. If you have the skills, the rest is all in you head. So you need to practive more to achieve that mindset.
c.
10-04-2013 | 11:08 AM
#63
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 15,603
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From: Valencia, Spain
Please don't take that comment the wrong way, the OP wasn't initially clear and it sure sounded like another DE guy that wants to substitute power for skill, and that strikes a nerve with me... You want to learn, i'm your guy. You want to be the fastest DE guy by buying/bringing the fastest car? I'm not your guy.
10-04-2013 | 11:12 AM
#64
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 263
From: Denver
Wow. What a bizarre thread. Look, any newbie can drive a fast car slow. The point is not pushing your foot to the floor in a TT and going faster than lower powered cars. The fun comes when you are good enough to mix it up wheel to wheel, lap after lap, actual racing against drivers who are pretty good, in cars similar to yours, getting by them if you are good enough. And after the race having them come up to you, pop a beer, and ask you how much hp does that thing really have? Sheesh!
Meanwhile, it's snowing today in Denver. I wonder if tomorrow's race at HPR will happen?
Meanwhile, it's snowing today in Denver. I wonder if tomorrow's race at HPR will happen?
10-04-2013 | 11:15 AM
#65
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 15,603
Likes: 292
From: Valencia, Spain
Wow. What a bizarre thread. Look, any newbie can drive a fast car slow. The point is not pushing your foot to the floor in a TT and going faster than lower powered cars. The fun comes when you are good enough to mix it up wheel to wheel, lap after lap, actual racing against drivers who are pretty good, in cars similar to yours, getting by them if you are good enough. And after the race having them come up to you, pop a beer, and ask you how much hp does that thing really have? Sheesh!
10-04-2013 | 11:23 AM
#66
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 11,348
Likes: 462
From: Oceanside/Vista (N. San Diego County), CA
I'm flying out to San Diego just so I can instruct for this group...
Please don't take that comment the wrong way, the OP wasn't initially clear and it sure sounded like another DE guy that wants to substitute power for skill, and that strikes a nerve with me... You want to learn, i'm your guy. You want to be the fastest DE guy by buying/bringing the fastest car? I'm not your guy.
Please don't take that comment the wrong way, the OP wasn't initially clear and it sure sounded like another DE guy that wants to substitute power for skill, and that strikes a nerve with me... You want to learn, i'm your guy. You want to be the fastest DE guy by buying/bringing the fastest car? I'm not your guy.
10-04-2013 | 02:16 PM
#67
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 433
Likes: 85
From: Santa Monica, CA
Ok that all makes a great deal of sense. I wonder if I take the cup motor out of the bee and put in something less powerful and less expensive in terms of accruals would this accomplish the objectives of creating a great learning car, more affordable accruals and, lastly will it be competitive? I'm not sure on the last point.
10-04-2013 | 03:42 PM
#70
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 15,603
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From: Valencia, Spain
If you pop the cup motor out of the Bee and stick in a breathed on 3.6L, you'll have the ultimate FAST momentum/trainer car. You'll also have a car similar to what a number of experienced POC racers have and they'll be able to (and willing to) help you quite a bit as you progress.
10-04-2013 | 09:47 PM
#71
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: SC