Mt Tam I am's Driving Journal

wstar · 07-10-2013, 11:52 AM

Probably the most important technical-ish thing to keep in mind is to be smooth, and to try to wrap your head around what people really mean when they tell you to be smooth with your inputs. It doesn't mean you have to move the pedals or steering wheel at snail speed. You can make very *fast* movements, but they have to be *smooth* at the same time. Fast means you get your wheel/pedal from position A to B in X milliseconds total. Smooth means you did that with a gentle acceleration to the movement of your hand/foot rather than a stabby or snappy motion, but still got there in time. Think in terms of nearly-constant, or gradually accelerating speed of your foot/hand through the movement, rather than "reach point B as fast as possible and then have to pull your muscles the other way to stop the movement".

When your inputs are smooth the car doesn't get upset or unsettled, and as you get comfortable with smooth you'll find yourself reading car feedback during the movement and finding the endpoint of the movement more precisely based on traction/sway feedback.

Don't worry about lap times, just focus on being calm and in control, and reading the car's feedback and being smooth. The rest will come naturally.

Mt Tam I am · 07-12-2013, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackcherry20

thanks Jar! I AM planning on having the experienced driver thing again. the last time I didn't and I think it showed in my times (which really sucked)
just not having fun right now

feel sooooo stressed over it.

Relax. wstar is correct about smooth. You can practice a bit on the roads where you live, without being crazy. You live out in the country. Just apply the power smoothly, and quickly before you hit the speed limit. Brake in a straight line, and accelerate, then try it again when the opportunity presents itself.

When I drive these days, my eyes are always looking for apex's. I need to tell myself not to turn in too soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

Probably the most important technical-ish thing to keep in mind is to be smooth, and to try to wrap your head around what people really mean when they tell you to be smooth with your inputs. It doesn't mean you have to move the pedals or steering wheel at snail speed. You can make very *fast* movements, but they have to be *smooth* at the same time. Fast means you get your wheel/pedal from position A to B in X milliseconds total. Smooth means you did that with a gentle acceleration to the movement of your hand/foot rather than a stabby or snappy motion, but still got there in time. Think in terms of nearly-constant, or gradually accelerating speed of your foot/hand through the movement, rather than "reach point B as fast as possible and then have to pull your muscles the other way to stop the movement".

When your inputs are smooth the car doesn't get upset or unsettled, and as you get comfortable with smooth you'll find yourself reading car feedback during the movement and finding the endpoint of the movement more precisely based on traction/sway feedback.

Don't worry about lap times, just focus on being calm and in control, and reading the car's feedback and being smooth. The rest will come naturally.

Right on.

blackcherry20 · 07-12-2013, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

Relax. wstar is correct about smooth. You can practice a bit on the roads where you live, without being crazy. You live out in the country. Just apply the power smoothly, and quickly before you hit the speed limit. Brake in a straight line, and accelerate, then try it again when the opportunity presents itself.

When I drive these days, my eyes are always looking for apex's. I need to tell myself not to turn in too soon.

Right on.

lol on apexes. Me too. If i over think it though i screw it up. Get too busy trying to figure it out and visualize it that i am through the curve and onwards...before i realize wth i have done.

.

Going to try being hyper aware of heartbeat and breathing-practicing slowing them down ....conciously slowing them and feeling it.

07-10-2013, 11:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3595	Probably the most important technical-ish thing to keep in mind is to be smooth, and to try to wrap your head around what people really mean when they tell you to be smooth with your inputs. It doesn't mean you have to move the pedals or steering wheel at snail speed. You can make very fast movements, but they have to be smooth at the same time. Fast means you get your wheel/pedal from position A to B in X milliseconds total. Smooth means you did that with a gentle acceleration to the movement of your hand/foot rather than a stabby or snappy motion, but still got there in time. Think in terms of nearly-constant, or gradually accelerating speed of your foot/hand through the movement, rather than "reach point B as fast as possible and then have to pull your muscles the other way to stop the movement". When your inputs are smooth the car doesn't get upset or unsettled, and as you get comfortable with smooth you'll find yourself reading car feedback during the movement and finding the endpoint of the movement more precisely based on traction/sway feedback. Don't worry about lap times, just focus on being calm and in control, and reading the car's feedback and being smooth. The rest will come naturally. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details Last edited by wstar; 07-10-2013 at 12:09 PM.

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