Yeap, the skilled drivers dance that razors edge quite nicely.

For many of us, our perceived limit can be a moving target as we reach a "new normal". Reseting the limit with one that is quicker than its predecessor.

Yet to be mentioned is the valuable feedback that is GPS data aqcuistion. Systems like Traqmate and others provide exceptional information every time you go out. Gets even better when you can share and compare with another driver who is similar or faster.

Not the same as a coach, but a valuable part of the learning tool box. What I've found particularly interesting is seeing my "theortical best lap" as calculated become an actual best lap over time. "New normal"...how'd that happen?

 

I did mention it. As I said, it is an incredible tool to use. As Gran said previously, even at the pro level we have "coaches" to help look over the said data. Even without another driver to compare to, it is very useful to look at multiple laps of your own.

Scott, coaches are just an extra set of eyes. We can't sit in with you and tell you how to nut up and make a pass, but we can give you insight on the matter. We can't force you to not red mist and run down someone who's gone by, but we can teach you through our experience when maybe it has happened before to us. The truth is we all have places to improve upon. An extra set of eyes will not only help spot those places but a quality coach will also try and find a logical solution. There's a reason why doctors still visit the doctor...

 

I'm not saying there's no value in coaching - there is.

I'm just emphasizing more where the ultimate responsibility is - with YOU.

This is actually pretty complicated stuff. A coach can be of immense help to a beginner. But a coach needs something to work with - a student who can make the elemental connections. From there the student has to make a quantum leap of integration and they're pretty much on their own for that. Then a coach can help them on the finer points - this is where most of us see ourselves - coach turning faster laps than you in the same car, and maybe going over the data traces so you can find a tenth here and a tenth there. Then maybe there's another quantum leap left for you - from competent to FAST. So fast that it's unmistakeable to the brothers. You usually need an extra special reason to make this last jump. Like somebody ahead of or behind you, and an utterly irrational need to perform for your part.

Those quantum leaps are where satisfaction comes from. Those are what make you whole, fluid, fluent. Those are the doors to the brotherhood. Coaching is to process and procedure. Coaching is assistance, enablement, getting you closer into range. But YOU have to put it all together. YOU have to jump (and land). This is abducted by aliens stopped watch twilight zone stuff.

Little things:

"You don't want to practice doing it wrong". Quite right. But who is so dumb as to do that really? Without reference to some reasonable standard?

How good is your coach...how good Really? Sure you can measure your improvement, but what do you know about the asymptote you're converging on?

Seriously - trust The Force, and be a happy warrior.


Scott, who knows there is a funny "Flatout" style animation in this thread just begging to be let out...

 

Well....did not mean to kindle a metaphysical rumination on the art of driving...for me it's simple. I have some basic skill. I'm able to get a 180 WHP 2650 pound Prelude around Thunderhill with bypass in 2:02.8., while making a fair amount of mistakes that other much more skilled drivers than myself have observed. I'd like to be able to get the same car around that track in 1:59.8...it's doable. Not sure that it is on my own. I'd like to get the same car around Infineon as equipped (Hankook C-51s) in the high 1:52s. Doable for me, but not without help. I want to become a safe, consistent, competitive racer that preserves the equipment and runs within himself...because I'm an amateur and want to keep doing this and not destroy cars. If I win some, cool. IF not, I won't be slow and at the back of the pack, I'll be fast enough to be competitive and have fun. Those are my goals...not to be able to keep the car on the ragged edge of disaster for 30-45 mins. Probably why my mentality and eventual utility is going to be as an endurance racer.

 

Ah, there you went and got metaphysical your own self...Beautiful.

Scott, who if it ain't metaphysical it ain't worth doing...

 

I've had this thread intrude on my thoughts all day, and I realize I've been reiterating the same basic idea. Sorry about that. It's an indication of how strongly I feel about it obviously. But here's something more practical. If you were far enough along to where all of your "Wow!" had been worn off, and your eyes and butt knew what they were seeing, what would really benefit you would be riding in the passenger seat with somebody like Jeremy Croiset. To learn how to do it, you have to do it. And to do it, it can really help to know that it's possible. Your brain will balance faith against rational probability, and likes nothing so good as a good example.

Scott, who had a new mechanical idea yesterday...it's physical And it's metaphysical...Bliss...

 

you don't need to get faster, we will never catch you. lol

 

Ohh you can catch Johnathon you just need spike strips

 

lol... I wish I was THAT fast!!! In addition, I'd like to be better at (mechanically) setting-up the car. But I know, with that comes more testing time, a lot of which I didn't have this year because of the two (h2) engine mishaps earlier this year in socal. Hopefully in 2012, I'll have the budget to test more, and test different set-ups. I think coaching would be the cherry on top if I can somehow afford it into 2012's budget

I'll use run flats...lol

Looking forward to finally meeting you Paul at this year's 25hr!

 

Slightly off topic, but I thought that the faster/fastest Honda Challenge H2 cars (on Toyo RA1's) would run around 2:02 at Thunderhill (forward direction w/bypass), and around 1:52 at Infineon. The times might be off by say a second, but just wondering about the sub 2' time at Thunderhill vs the 1:52 at Infineon. Thanks... - Jim

 

I run Hankook Z214 C-51 compound. I've been about 1.5 seconds faster on these than on the RAs. I have no track time at Infineon, my first weekend there is This weekend. I avoided that track for years when I had my Evo, as fully 12-15 people I know have had thier cars eaten there....Now that I'm racing I cannot afford to "avoid" it...but it will take me time to get faster there (hopefully not as much as it could now that I have Donna G. Coaching me). I know I can do a Sub 2:00 time a at T-hill by maximizing 1, 8, 14, 15. My exit speed on 1 is still under 90 MPH. I am not competeley flat through 8, and I'm in 3rd gear or 14-15 for smoothness, it's faster in 2nd....all that done correctly will get me my 3 seconds....

 

Good choice. Hard to find but a great tire. Likes camber, scary as hell when cold but terrific when up to temp, hard to overheat and you'll get lots of cycles out of them. I've been as fast on them as the Goodyear Eagle DOT and Hoosier R6.

Especially at Infineon, be VERY cautious on these tires when cold.

 

Thanks...I'm very used to these tires, have been running them for years, previously on an Evo.