Agreed.

 

+1

 

If you can't get an instructor, following someone who knows the track well can really help.

 

Go at your own pace. Some corners you will do well as they will be laid out similarly to other tracks you know. Other corners you will be a rolling chicane and that is alright too as your speed will increase as you learn from your mistakes and by following drivers that are comfortable. Just enjoy.

 

Many good ideas here that I hope to apply.

I currently use a track-dedicated iPhone w Harry's right now but the AiM Solo is on Santa wish-list.

Thanks very much for the input!

 

Whenever I go to a new track I request an instructed session with the registrar in advance, if its in my region usually with 1 of the 3-4 instructors that I work well with, if that's not an option that's available to you, you can always follow another driver that knows the track for a few laps to get a feel for the line...
+1 on the solo as well, esp. the predictive lap times, tells you immediately what's working and what's not, has been a huge help since I've started using one

 

I find I needed both data and instructor even when allowed to sign up in solo run group.

Data is very valuable when I know what to do, but need a quantitative measurement to evaluate progress. Data is also very good at highlighting low hanging fruits when pursuing faster lap time.

Instructors, in-car or off track, will show me what to do, and what not to do. Then, I go back to practice by myself and measure the progress with data. Apparently you will need to find really good instructors. And when I do, I find they invariably have me work on two things: vision and smoothness.

 

..

 

OP - It's a great question and I've been there too. Here is what I have learned and what has worked for me, BTW your list is a good start.

Instruction, video and data, and pre and post ride notes are prerequisites IMHO. I think you also need to have a "ride plan", in other words, what are you trying to accomplish within the session - is it your first time on the track, is it your home track, etc. I try to limit my focus to only a few items at a time, I don't try to solve all my problems at once. Pick a couple items for the morning session and some others for the afternoon. Integrate the data and instruction and work toward accomplishing the ride plan goals.

And at some point put it all together and find out if the efforts paid off or not. My preference is to do that the next day if that is possible as I like to use the evening for soak time and to review the video and data again.

 

Not every one. I was never in a hurry. I wanted to soak up as much instruction as possible before going solo.

 

amazing info and guidance in this thread !!

most guidance seems predicated on being able to handle the car at 10/10th

how does one move from 8-9/10th to 10 or 11/10th?


autox?
I read an article about Dempsey doing a dirtfish ralley school to improve his handling skills?

what do the experts here recommend?

 

Nobody advocates doing 10/10ths in a DE, just to be clear...

 

Unless you have a chance of winning the DE - then it is OK.

The only issue with this thread is that the question is a little flawed. The very best way to learn is to have an instructor. Period. I know there is at least one super driver on this forum who believes, much like Pastor Maldanado, that coaches are a waste of time, but having spent a lot of time and money with coaches this year I can tell you it has been the best "upgrade" possible.

As a practical matter I understand the question because at some events instructors are busy with non-solo drivers. But if I had the choice between spending $1500 on an upgrade to my car, or $1500 to hire a coach, I would hire the coach.

 

+1 billion

The nut behind the wheel is the single biggest performance potential!

 

Best bargain is to find really good drivers who also happen to be good instructors, ride with them, and have them ride with you. In any sizable club with a good reputation, there are usually at least a few guys around who fit that description and are willing to help. For those with deep pockets and high motivation, pro coaching, preferably supported with data analysis, seems to be the gold standard.