DE, Why Bother?

[jenk12m]

I would love to race, just to say I've done ot and see how really slow I am

[Izzone]

Racers

End of day analyze track data, try to squeeze the last second out of pratice video to improve the next day. On track constantly watching mirros to make sure no one passes

DE guys I hang out with

End of the day tell lies about Traqmate lap times, while using beer to lower the number. On track I am constantly watching for Orange or White RS's to throw up a block

[mooty]

NEVER mod dell. good one.


but " Going to a DE is almost like going on vacation where racing is like going to work." is right on. it is EXACTLY what i feel.

[mooty]

reter, you should really visit CA and talk some sense into me.
i think you are very right, no, not the renegade tractor part, but racing is a job....
maybe i will quit after 2011 heehee...

[Dell]

Great shot and that one was one awesome weekend!

[KJinDC]

Unfortunately over the past 2 years I haven't been able to do as much of either race or DE as I would like. I both race and do DE. And I enjoy each for different reasons. I'll agree that DE is like a vacation and racing is going to work. However, for me, I guess it's like having a job you enjoy. I find racers to be just as social as the DE crew. Maybe I am lucky that a fair amount of people that I DE with are racers as well.

I'm not going to be the next Nigel Mansell so I don't need to pore over data for hours after the practice or qualy session when I race. My race car is out of class and certainly not optimized so I have little chance of winning (NASA GTS3 and PCA I). But, i'm usually at the sharp end of the grid and I have fun safely racing those around me. Maybe I'm the aberration since I don't care if I win so long as I am competitive. Perhaps I'd feel differently if I optimized my car to chase that last tenth of a second. I also realize if I put Pobst in my car, he'd probably pull of a win. so it's really not the car holding me back. I love the competition and truly dancing with the car on that edge and I miss that at DEs.

I love the relaxed nature of DEs. Often i go with my mother (60+ y/o and a transplant recipient!) and I enjoy the bonding. At the DEs, I can skip a session if I want or I can ride with other instructors and pick up tips or I can spend extra time talking to my student about what they are doing and why i do things a little differently perhaps. The lack of intensity throughout the overall event is refreshing.

I'll continue to do 5-10 DEs a year and hopefully race more than the 2-3 times a year (win or lose) I've done lately. Both types of events bring their own rewards.

-KJ

[Larry Herman]

I love to race - period. Give me a choice between a great DE venue and a so-so race, and for me it is not a choice at all. Take everything that you get from driving at a DE, and that is just a small part of what it takes to race. Tweaking the car in practice to get it working as best as possible. Getting that perfect lap in qualifying. And in the race, trying to stay in front of the car behind, while trying to pass the car in front, while planning on how to deal with slower cars, while driving for all you are worth on autopilot is what makes it for me. Passing a car because you can, not because they let you. Plus it gives me the opportunity to only worry about myself for the weekend, something that I get very little time to do at a DE or otherwise. And who can resist those $10 trophies!!! That is why I race.

[FTS]

Originally Posted by Larry Herman

And who can resist those $10 trophies!!! That is why I race.

[SH || NC]

Originally Posted by Larry Herman

Tweaking the car in practice to get it working as best as possible. Getting that perfect lap in qualifying....trying to stay in front of the car behind, while trying to pass the car in front, while planning on how to deal with slower cars, while driving for all you are worth on autopilot is what makes it for me. Passing a car because you can, not because they let you. Plus it gives me the opportunity to only worry about myself for the weekend, something that I get very little time to do at a DE or otherwise.

That's my DE weekend right there....

[Larry Herman]

Originally Posted by Larry Herman

Tweaking the car in practice to get it working as best as possible. Getting that perfect lap in qualifying. And in the race, trying to stay in front of the car behind, while trying to pass the car in front, while planning on how to deal with slower cars, while driving for all you are worth on autopilot is what makes it for me. Passing a car because you can, not because they let you. Plus it gives me the opportunity to only worry about myself for the weekend, something that I get very little time to do at a DE or otherwise.

Originally Posted by SH || NC

That's my DE weekend right there....

Really? I guess that I haven't been attending the right DE's lately. I always thought that you needed a passing signal. Plus the one big thing that I left out was that you are running against relatively similar cars, and it mostly comes down to the driver, not the guy who spent more money on his car.

[Canine64]

Originally Posted by Larry Herman

I love to race - period. Give me a choice between a great DE venue and a so-so race, and for me it is not a choice at all. Take everything that you get from driving at a DE, and that is just a small part of what it takes to race. Tweaking the car in practice to get it working as best as possible. Getting that perfect lap in qualifying. And in the race, trying to stay in front of the car behind, while trying to pass the car in front, while planning on how to deal with slower cars, while driving for all you are worth on autopilot is what makes it for me. Passing a car because you can, not because they let you. Plus it gives me the opportunity to only worry about myself for the weekend, something that I get very little time to do at a DE or otherwise.

I totally agree with Larry on this topic. As a relatively newbie to racing (about 15 total races), the rush from wheel to wheel racing dwarfs any excitement I get from a typical DE. You need to focus 100%, forget the typical DE taught line, and figure out what your plan of attack will be.

I was very reluctant to go PCA racing for a number of years as I thought the typical DE and instructing would be enough of a fix for me. I had a conversation with 2 very experienced and successful Club Racers (Charlie Boyer and Colin Mazzola) who convinced me that the only way for me to get better, turn quicker lap times, and have way more fun was to go racing. Three years later, I am 100% sold!!! And absolutely nothing can compare to the start of a race when the Green drops!!! Everyone should experience a race start at least once!!!

Mike

[hughp3]

another great thread.

I know why I do not race, I am not worthy yet (or maybe never). Just had Leh Keen take me for a spin in my own Cup car. Good Lord, the gap is very wide for me to make up those 5,6 seconds.

[jenk12m]

pboc super solo group, no point by required

[TRAKCAR]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUGjvEXdNz8

Long, but fun to watch I think. No point by's lot's of blocking..SuperSolo DE

[Larry Herman]

It's not racing.