Last HPDE session I learned a valuable lesson, to be gentle. What do I
mean by that? Well ever since I can remember I do things a bit rough. For
example if someone told me to pluck a single pedal off of a flower the whole
flower would be destroyed by the time I was done with it. Of course this is an
exaggeration but you get the point. Same thing happens with my inputs when I am
racing. I do things so harsh and fast. Which upsets the balance of the car. I
swear my feet have a mind of their own! I even tell myself I’m going to break
“nicely” this time. Nope. Doesn’t work. It just does whatever it does. But I
have gotten smooth with the steering. That’s a plus!
It seemed braking was the theme that weekend. I had an instructor with
me, he told me to not brake so hard and let go more gently. Of course in usual
fashion my feet had other plans. During one our HPDE driver’s meeting the topic
came up again. Our HPDE director, Matt Guiver, said something I will never
forget. “The best drivers are so smooth that when they lift off the brake you
don’t know they did until they start accelerating.” I imagined what that felt
like. So next time around I was able to “gently” let go of the brake pedal. It
felt nice, not so harsh and jerky. I am still transitioning from autocross to
track racing. I still feel a little slow when lifting off the brake but I know
I will get the hang of it.
As I was finessing this technique my neck was starting to give out on
me. I guess my body is still healing from the racing accident the month prior.
The first day of HPDE my neck was a bit sore. The next day, I could feel the
weight of helmet stressing out my neck. I was nausea all day from the pain. But
I pushed forward. While I was on the track I didn’t feel anything, I was hyper
focused. But on the last session of day, my neck muscles tightened up. I
couldn’t even see where I was going to exit on a turn very well. Then I was
wondering why was my car feeling so sluggish? I realized what had happened when
I went through turn 4. I usually shift from 3rd to 4th
gear on this turn. I was in 4th
gear for a lap and a half! I knew then that I was disoriented and I needed to
come off the track. I didn’t want to be the fast moving hazardous object out on
the track.
I was disappointed and frustrated that my body couldn’t keep up with my
mind. I was mentally ready to get out on that track and prove that the accident
didn’t beat me. It’s just like riding a motorcycle, I have dumped my bike numerous
times but I pick up my bike and ride it again. Am I worried that it might
happen again? A little but I don’t let that stop me and I don’t think about it
when I’m out on the track.
Overall it was a good weekend. I learned a lot! Here are some
tips I learned that might help you on the track:
- Be smooth on the brakes
- Be smooth off the brakes
- Stay off the rumble strips
- Put a piece of tape at 12 o’clock position on the car (in case of an accident you will know where your wheels are at)
- Settle chassis before getting on or off the brakes (AKA don’t piss off the platform)
The following are stats from HPDE days:
CAR SETUP
Engine: Stage 1 Tune
Mishimoto
Silicone Throttle Body Hose
Tires: Dunlop
Direzza ZII Star Spec 245/40/18
Wheels: Enkei PF01
18x8.5
Gorilla
Forged Steel Racing Lug Nuts 12x1.25
Brakes (Front): StopTech ST-40
355mm
2-piece rotor
Hawk
DTC-60 Pads Brakes
Goodridge
Stainless Steel Lines
Brakes (Rear): Stock caliper
Centric
Premium Rotors
Project
Mu HC+800 pads
Goodridge
Stainless Steel Lines
Brake Fluid: ATE Type 200
DOT 4
Suspension: Whiteline
Adjustable 22mm Rear Sway Bar
Kartboy
Rear Endlinks
Tein
Street Flex Damper
FRIDAY
Moring Temp: 76 F˚
Afternoon Temp: 90 F˚
Track: Miller Motorsport-West Track
Track: Miller Motorsport-West Track
Front Tire Pressure: 32 psi cold 40 psi hot
Rear Tire Pressure: 38 psi cold 45 psi hot
Saturday
Moring Temp: 73 F˚
Afternoon Temp: 88 F˚
Track: Miller Motorsport-West Track
Track: Miller Motorsport-West Track
Front Tire Pressure: 32 psi cold 40 psi hot
Rear Tire Pressure: 38 psi cold 45 psi hot
Ciao!
Ciao!