Fear
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From: Austin
Frere, Sports Car and Competition Driving:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/083...6065949-2478401
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/083...6065949-2478401
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Estes Park
Keep in mind that the world class racers all started somewhere too, and not withstanding their considerable physical skills it took a lot of driving time and practice to get where they are. You see "novice" class pros with 18 years behind them. Take it slow and easy within your ability; smooth is everything, look at some films of Jackie Stewart to see how the best do it. Good Luck!
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Joined: Oct 2001
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From: land of happy motoring
Originally posted by marclw
I'm almost embarrassed to talk about this, but here goes. Five weeks ago I got my s2k. It's my first sports car and I've waited 54 years for it! I grew up and drove RWD cars most of my life and learned how to slip and slide growing up in Northern Ohio winters. You won't believe what I put my '66 VW bug through! Now, I got this beautiful Spa Yellow Sweetheart that just loves to go fast and cut the twisties nicely. I want to experience just how this car handles when pushed. I've been pushing it to some degree on some great roads in WV, but I really want to see what it (and I) do. So, today, I was within ONE click of signing up for a three-day course at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. What stopped me cold was a picture in my minds-eye of my car bouncing off a wall and turning into a piece of metal mush. I've waited so long to get this kind of car, I really don't want to f*ck it up. On the other hand, I love acceleration and speed and would love the challenge. Moreover, while I THINK I know how to handle this car in an emergency, taking the course would help to take the "think" out of this statement. What about autocross? How did you manage to overcome your fear of cracking up your car when you first started. BTW, the S is my only car -- I need it! Help? Thanks in advance.
I'm almost embarrassed to talk about this, but here goes. Five weeks ago I got my s2k. It's my first sports car and I've waited 54 years for it! I grew up and drove RWD cars most of my life and learned how to slip and slide growing up in Northern Ohio winters. You won't believe what I put my '66 VW bug through! Now, I got this beautiful Spa Yellow Sweetheart that just loves to go fast and cut the twisties nicely. I want to experience just how this car handles when pushed. I've been pushing it to some degree on some great roads in WV, but I really want to see what it (and I) do. So, today, I was within ONE click of signing up for a three-day course at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. What stopped me cold was a picture in my minds-eye of my car bouncing off a wall and turning into a piece of metal mush. I've waited so long to get this kind of car, I really don't want to f*ck it up. On the other hand, I love acceleration and speed and would love the challenge. Moreover, while I THINK I know how to handle this car in an emergency, taking the course would help to take the "think" out of this statement. What about autocross? How did you manage to overcome your fear of cracking up your car when you first started. BTW, the S is my only car -- I need it! Help? Thanks in advance.
S2000 would be a VERY fun car at this track especially from T7-T11. TracQuest is tenatively planning to return to Mid-Ohio on Oct. 7/8 (Mon/Tue). Let me know if you're interested to attend.
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Morganton
"The danger comes when you get comfortable after several times out;when you are looking for those extra seconds per lap; I can tell you that I am now getting scared (after the track tires, and track brakes and video and lap timing) when 8, 9 tenths are very close; that is where I think it gets dangerous at the track."
As a followup, at Road Atlanta 2 weeks ago I was pushing hard (too hard!) to lower my lap times in the second session and early apexed turn 7 by a foot or two. This shortened my track out, I overcorrected, lost the rear end on the gator stripe and pinched it. All on film for later review
$2600 later and I am still looking forward to getting out there again and learning more. However, at this stage in my education, I realize that I need to still to focus on car control and smoothness and not a stopwatch. I'll leave that to Hayashi and the boys for now!
"Always leave a dime or two of the traction dollar in your pocket...at least at Road Atlanta"
PS Mid -Ohio is safer especially in the Acura's. My brother just got back from a lapping day there this week and had a ball. The deductible is $3000 and one of the 13 drivers used it up on the back straight. Realize however, that most of these guys were SCCA racers practicing for the Runoffs and were pushing 10/10ths.
They were turning lap times in the high 1:53's and 1:54's which is flying for that car.
As a followup, at Road Atlanta 2 weeks ago I was pushing hard (too hard!) to lower my lap times in the second session and early apexed turn 7 by a foot or two. This shortened my track out, I overcorrected, lost the rear end on the gator stripe and pinched it. All on film for later review
$2600 later and I am still looking forward to getting out there again and learning more. However, at this stage in my education, I realize that I need to still to focus on car control and smoothness and not a stopwatch. I'll leave that to Hayashi and the boys for now! "Always leave a dime or two of the traction dollar in your pocket...at least at Road Atlanta"
PS Mid -Ohio is safer especially in the Acura's. My brother just got back from a lapping day there this week and had a ball. The deductible is $3000 and one of the 13 drivers used it up on the back straight. Realize however, that most of these guys were SCCA racers practicing for the Runoffs and were pushing 10/10ths.
They were turning lap times in the high 1:53's and 1:54's which is flying for that car.
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