Technique Talk #6: Experimentation

[rslonaker]

Tips for Improving

If you reached the point where you are pretty comfortable with your driving and are able to do some reasonably consistent times and have reasonably accurate lines, next time at the track, start to intentionally experiment with different lines and techniques. Too many drivers get into the pattern of being over instructed and forget that they can do some thinking for themselves. Once you reach a stage where you feel that most of your inputs are intentional and you have a pretty good handle on what you are doing, don’t be afraid to challenge the conventional wisdom. Just like when your mom told you not to ride your bike with no hands because you might fall and hurt yourself, you had to go and try it and quite possibly you fell and hurt yourself. But it is this innate ability we have to question, and ask “why”, that many of us forget and just take what is told to us as the only way to do it. If for no other reason, experimenting will answer “why” by showing the other ways don’t work. The answer to a question always sticks best when you answer it yourself.

What I am trying to say is, once you get comfortable enough with your driving that you begin to really feel like you are in control, then don’t forget to do some thinking on your own. If you are wondering why no one ever early apexes the Left Hander at Lime Rock, go back and do it and see why. You probably haven’t seen that part of the track since one of your first days on track and you probably forgot about what if felt like, if you even knew what you were looking at back then. See how it affects your exit speed off turn four and compare it to the conventionally accepted approach of the late apex compromise.

Another good reason to experiment with “off line” driving is if you have any racing plans in your future, then knowing what every part of the track looks like, how to get yourself back on line quickly and the fact that you may not even be able to see “the line” for the first few laps of a race, makes it well worth the time experimenting.

The biggest thing is, don’t just become a robot mindlessly hitting your marks. Pay attention, think about why and keep your mind focused and thinking.

[cdh]

Thanks Rob, these are great. There is now a link in Rob's signature that takes you to his instructor profile where you can find his articles archived. They will continue to be linked there as new ones are posted.

[GEORGE]

Thanks again Rob. I always read your threads first and each time you suggest something I am always amazed at how simple the suggestion and it clicks. I get the usual "Why didn't I think of that?"

[rslonaker]

Thanks George,
Glad to be helpful.

[Slowhands]

Rob--

Thank you for taking the trouble to post these teaching points. I haven't had time to go through all the threads, but I hope to later this week.

I think this one in particular is great. Especially when you say that it is easy to get in the habit of just following all the instruction you get mechanically, without analyzing how appropriate it might be for one's level and/or driving style. Since everyone has their own style, and since there are sometimes as many different ways through a corner as there are instructors asssigned to it in the course of 3 days, I have found that one particular person's feedback may be easier to integrate into my style or level of ability than someone else's. So it's great to hear you suggest experimentation, as we can get the impression that this is discouraged since many of us are still relatively inexperienced.

It is interesting that I was able to begin experimenting after being taught how to "read" car balance at different points in the corner by you and Bobo at the Masters Invitational at the Glen. This finally gave me objective feedback with which to judge the effect of a change in line, brake point, etc, besides just tach readings.

Also a good point about driving on different parts of the track. The outside of Turn 8 at mid-O is a great example-- it was MUCH slipperier than the normal line, which some people found out by getting sideways during the race, especially in the early laps when it was side by side through there --almost happened to me twice!

[GT-Subject]

Hey Rob - You mean like 3rd gear at Canidiot corner at RA? Thanks for the tip - much to some instructors dismay. I am looking froward to more expermental ideas when we get together at Mont Tremblant.