Re: First Settlers - VIR May 20-22
 

I can only imagine how bad that must have been for you! If it was that bad for me 1/2 a straight later, it must have been like the fog rolling into SF Bay.

Re: First Settlers - VIR May 20-22
 

Here are a couple of laps Sunday morning in the Cayman S. I ran some 2:14's Saturday and assumed they were my best but Sunday morning I ran a few laps in the 13's :D I am surprised by my times considering the tires were trashed and I knew this was my last session of the weekend; i.e. I wasn't pushing my luck.

It's strong evidence that I need a data logger. Looking at the quickest lap, a 2:13.17, my speeds through T3, entering the esses, T10, Oak Tree and entering Hog Pen are ALL a few MPH lower than other laps and yet it's my quick lap. HUH???

Re: First Settlers - VIR May 20-22
 

Man that is a cracking time!!! Awesome, I don't think my best time is in the 13s, great job :-DD

Re: First Settlers - VIR May 20-22
 

I know it sounds odd, but by going slower you can actually go faster. Sure we can go into a corner fast but can we control it and more importantly exit. It's all about corner exit speed.

Obviously this doesn't apply to every corner but there is a "perfect" speed to will result in the fastest sector time. This is where data comes into play. By trying different lines, entry speeds, etc, etc, etc, we can learn which approach actually works best.

Next time we are at an event together let's make sure and find a session or two to jump in each car:pals:

Re: First Settlers - VIR May 20-22
 

Nicely done Brian. I tried a few different approaches to gaining speed this weekend and found that I was slower when trying to go faster in some spots, and/or my comfort level was lower, so I went slower; some of it had to do with set up, most of it had to do with 'attachments'. :) In any case, great times!

Re: First Settlers - VIR May 20-22
 

If I don't lift anywhere and the throttle continues to go down out of the corner after going of the brake and on the gas, I set my best sector times.

Exceptions are T1 at VIR for example, where I lift to tuck/rotate the car, but I think it applies to 90% of the corners.

To go reasonable fast on a new track, I just focus on that. Of the brake means throttle must continue to go down and stay down untill braking. I spend most time on that with non beginner students as well.

Re: First Settlers - VIR May 20-22
 

Thanks! But this is bad news for you! Now I need your help in learning how to analyze data :pals:

I've heard this many times but it's never worked for me in the past. If I tried to drive slower/smoother my times would increase. In this case, I am shocked that my time dropped A LOT, almost 2 seconds! So, without a doubt you're right!

Absolutely! Thanks for the offer!

I think you're spot on here. "Comfort in transistioning off brake" Pushing hard often results in slowing the car too much because you're not comfortable. Another surprise was my cool down lap where I noticed that I came through T10 (Southbend) 5 mph faster than normal because I didn't brake at all!! Yet I was VERY comfortable.

Agreed, this is what I've been working on too and have seen positive results. I wish I had data to support it but I am assuming the lower entry speeds allow me to apply the throttle earlier compared to when I am pushing hard into the corners.

Re: First Settlers - VIR May 20-22
 

Scott, I finally got the time to watch your vid from Friday with the off, and I think the reason was at that specific lap you just went in too hot in to Hog Pen, in fact 6 mph faster than your previous laps. I don't think your tires can handle an entry speed of 69 there, I know mine can't.

Re: First Settlers - VIR May 20-22
 

Sent you a PM; not sure what video you are watching??

Fast lap (8) on Friday, turn in speed was 65; off lap (9) on Friday, turn in speed was 67.

I've reviewed the video hundreds of times at this point, and that night with Dell as well, and we concluded that my line was a little off, in addition to my initial correction being too large, then a other correction being too much, combined with me dropping a wheel off, spinning the car 180 too quickly for me to catch.

So speed may have been a factor, but IMO, I should have:

• recognized I was getting loose on lap 8 and dialed it back a notch :beatinghead:
• caught it with better form (like lap 8) :beatinghead: :beatinghead:

Lesson learned :)

Re: First Settlers - VIR May 20-22
 

You may be right, but unless we push our limits a little, we'll be stuck at a platau and won't be able to advance our techniques. I agonize over so many details as well and eventually slow myself down. One my observations about my own driving has been that I post my fastest times when I feel the car is too loose.

Since I realized that, I try to setup my tire pressures in the rear a little higher than what I think they should be. For example, when front to rear pressure difference is less 2 psi, i can comfortably post mid teen times. However, if rears are 3-4 psi higher, my time get closer to low teens and even 2:10-11 range.

This is not a discussion of pressures of course, I am just trying to make the point that unless we get lose a little and be comfortable with controlling the car when its lose, we won't get to sub 10s IMHO.

So, if I were you, what would I do differently? Nothing. I think you're driving was really superb in those videos, relaxed, determined and bold, and I envy such driving attitude.

Re: First Settlers - VIR May 20-22
 

Cheers! :-8