tvr-4

Peter - can you elaborate a bit on "defensive line"? I always thought "one move" rule is ok... ie if you choose to stay on the inside down the home straight, thats fair game as long as you dont sweep back across or move back and forth like the guy in above video => is this what you mean?

ProCoach

If a driver is doing everything as well as they can (or have) but turn their focus aft rather than focusing forward, there are two way this can go.

"One move" is perfectly legitimate. The idea of driving down the right side of the Front Straight at LRP to "make the passer take the LONG way around," is fine, as long as "racing room" is given... The classic "over-under" has has been practiced successfully and without contact, tens of thousands of times in the Esses. All good.

But racing is not a static situation. That is the issue I have with a lot of empty, pusillanimous claims I hear at the racetrack when people try and justify chicken$#it moves, or use morally bankrupt reasoning to justify such moves as "just racing." When someone drives their mirrors (and their hands on the wheel follow), I have a problem with that. When someone decides "it's their line," and make sudden, boneheaded moves across the width of the track without regard to the cars in close proximity, I have a problem with that, too. Some people think that "that's racing." It's not.

The first big race I was ever in at LRP, (25,000+ spectators on the hills overlooking the Esses, No Name, on the Skidpad and on the outside of the Front Straight), I had a guy muscle alongside me into Big Bend, then proceed to "allow his car to drift wide" before the second apex. Naturally, faced with the prospect of hitting, getting hit or going off, I went off. Guy tried to buy me a drink and "explain" that that was "just racing" and that it was "his line."

Needless to say, we are not friends...

This is a particularly common issue at fast, sinuous tracks like LRP where people are constantly crossing the width of the track to "set up" for the next turn. It takes mutual respect, 360 awareness and no shortage of skill to give no quarter while still allowing room to exist with those you're racing with. Not sure why I felt so long like the 356 crowd (when I was starting out) were such horses a$$e$, but they sure gave me a lot of data to support that assumption! <grin>

Racing is a thinking person's game, and that is why it's SO obvious when the dumb ones are among us... smh...

tvr-4

Thanks for elaborating, makes sense, just wanted to make sure i wasnt missing anything.

I agree with you on some of the folks that downplay/justify that crap, it makes it more annoying when they know and you know what they are doing.

ProCoach

Bingo. Even more so when the organizers know what they are doing, yet do not act. Just reinforces bad behavior.

Peer pressure is a good thing, and when concentrated, it works.

JP66

Peter, Just a question of curiosity. It appears I will run my first race in the rain. Simon's advice was drive the dry line slower because trying to drive the wet line will stress you out too much so that you will make a mistake. I like his advice, but am curious to hear your opinion.

What line should I rum on my first ever race if it's raining?



Joe

ProCoach

Ha! Joe, Simon almost always gives great advice.

Your goal is to finish your races. That's it. Whatever it takes to minimize errors and maximize your chances of staying on the island is what you want to do.

Lime Rock is not a bad rain track, IMO. Avoid standing water and do plenty of reconnaissance... Start easy and ADD SPEED SLOWLY.

Gary R.

I'll add that while the track surface is fine in the rain, do not drop a wheel in the wet grass as there is only one corner (left hander) that you don't have a 94.7% chance of hitting something..

Matt Romanowski

Lake Limerock doesn't count?

Gary R.

I'll take water over a wall anytime Matt!!

hf1

Weather.com shows 90% chance rain for Fri (practice) and 10% for Sat (races).

sbelles

So I should just put the new rains on now? Not a bad Idea, they need scuffing and driving around the paddock might be all they get. On the other hand, I've got the rain gear ready to pack so it might hold off.

At least I got the car back together in time. About 10 min ago.

hsmith

I'm going to check these races out on Saturday. Is there a schedule of what classes race when? I saw the scheduled posted earlier in this thread but it only mentions different color groups (which i'm not familiar with).

car_slave

It starts with White -- 944s/Boxsters, then it progress through the power until you get to the Orange group with later cup cars.
Can't go wrong with any of the races Plenty of stuff to see in the paddock too.

Frank 993 C4S

You'll have a great time. Here is the schedule:

hsmith

Thanks guys. I'm interested to see how the racing is. I am in the process of applying for my PCA club racing license.