Ask Ross
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Got questions? I’ve got answers. This is where I post answers to the many questions I receive. You may find the answer to a question you have here (you can use the “Search” tool), but if not, you have two options:
- If you want the answer immediately, sign up for my SpeedSecrets.ai app (think of it as “Google on steroids, focused solely on performance/race driving,” or “ChatGPT trained to only pull from the 5 million+ words and content I’ve personally created”)
- If you can wait until I get to your question, email it to me.
Q: What does being “comfortable being uncomfortable” mean, and how do I do that?
Q: “I’ve you heard you talk about being “comfortable being uncomfortable.” I think I know what you mean, but I’m not sure, and for sure I want to know how to do that consistently in a long stint on track?”
Q: Is trail braking in a momentum car like a Spec Miata appropriate?
Q: “For momentum cars like Spec Miata, is trail braking still an effective method for improving overall braking and speed out of the corner?”
Q: Should I upshift or downshift in corners with a dual-clutch 8-speed C8 Corvette?
Q: “After many years with BMWs, I’ve gone to the ‘dark side’ and bought my very first American car: a 2021 C8 Vette. My question is, can I take advantage of the 8 gears and dual-clutch with instant rev match to actually up and downshift in the turns? Shifting is reportedly so quick and smooth in both directions that it may seem like steady throttle application. Also, watching the F1 boys, I’m pretty sure I hear them changing gears on entry and exit. Tough to do with a standard six speed, even though heel-toe is second nature.”
Q: How do I improve my threshold and trail braking consistency?
Q: “I have been working on improving my braking and corner entry skills for the last few months. I can definitely see improvements in my lap times. One challenge I have as I’m chasing the last tenths of seconds is that I’m not consistent at threshold braking and trail braking. Mental fatigue, physical fatigue, as well as tires and brakes going off, cause errors. I can do well for a few laps, then the errors cause more lost time than pushing the limits. Luckily most errors are correctable, so very few spins and offs. Any thoughts on the risk versus reward and how to decide when to push the limits?”
Q: Is there ever a time for coasting, where I’m not on either the brakes or throttle?
Q: “In a recent webinar that you did (the Improve Your Braking & Corner Entry – I learned a ton from it!), you showed a diagram of a corner where there was a period of time where there was no braking or acceleration. It seemed like coasting, and I was always taught that I should always be on the brakes or the gas pedal, with no coasting in between. What am I missing? Or was your diagram wrong?”
Q: Do I have to spin or crash to learn to drive the limit?
Q: “What are some ways to think of going “all four off” during a track day? I’m driving a Spec 944, and generally pushing hard, learning what the limit feels like. But, by so doing, end up all four off perhaps once, maybe twice during a weekend. I’m torn about what this signifies: Is it reasonable in the name of progress, or does it simply mean I’m not yet advanced (or skilled) enough to consistently push so hard? I did hear an instructor mention that small changes produce small surprises, which did resonate with me. Any thoughts would be appreciated.”
Q: How do I approach braking into a decreasing radius corner?
Q: “How do I approach a decreasing corner where I cannot straight line brake and must have some steering input while braking?”
Q: How do I transition my driving from a FWD Mini to a RWD C8 Corvette?
Q: “I am transitioning from driving a Mini Cooper S (181 hp FWD) for the past six years or so – my one and only track car until we took possession of our 2020 Corvette C8. I took the owners’ program at Ron Fellows and have one day in the C8 at Thunderhill. My question is, and recognizing that the principles you talked about are generally universal, do you have any particular suggestions for things to look for in the car or in my driving as I make the transition?”
Q: How should I prepare for my first club race?
Q: “What advice do you have for an experienced track day driver preparing for their first club race?”
Q: How do I test the limits to know if I’m driving my car as fast as possible?
Q: “How do you “test” if a corner can be taken flat? How do you build up, mentally and input-wise, to go faster through a corner than you ever have? How do you prepare for it not working out?”
Got Questions?
Get Immediate Answers
Skills
Types
Subscriptions
Got questions? I’ve got answers. This is where I post answers to the many questions I’ve received. You may find the answer to a question you have here, but if not, you have two options: If you want the answer immediately, sign up for my SpeedSecrets.ai app (think of it as “Google on steroids, focused solely on performance/race driving”), or email it to me.
Q: What does being “comfortable being uncomfortable” mean, and how do I do that?
Q: “I’ve you heard you talk about being “comfortable being uncomfortable.” I think I know what you mean, but I’m not sure, and for sure I want to know how to do that consistently in a long stint on track?”
Q: Is trail braking in a momentum car like a Spec Miata appropriate?
Q: “For momentum cars like Spec Miata, is trail braking still an effective method for improving overall braking and speed out of the corner?”
Q: Should I upshift or downshift in corners with a dual-clutch 8-speed C8 Corvette?
Q: “After many years with BMWs, I’ve gone to the ‘dark side’ and bought my very first American car: a 2021 C8 Vette. My question is, can I take advantage of the 8 gears and dual-clutch with instant rev match to actually up and downshift in the turns? Shifting is reportedly so quick and smooth in both directions that it may seem like steady throttle application. Also, watching the F1 boys, I’m pretty sure I hear them changing gears on entry and exit. Tough to do with a standard six speed, even though heel-toe is second nature.”
Q: How do I improve my threshold and trail braking consistency?
Q: “I have been working on improving my braking and corner entry skills for the last few months. I can definitely see improvements in my lap times. One challenge I have as I’m chasing the last tenths of seconds is that I’m not consistent at threshold braking and trail braking. Mental fatigue, physical fatigue, as well as tires and brakes going off, cause errors. I can do well for a few laps, then the errors cause more lost time than pushing the limits. Luckily most errors are correctable, so very few spins and offs. Any thoughts on the risk versus reward and how to decide when to push the limits?”
Q: Is there ever a time for coasting, where I’m not on either the brakes or throttle?
Q: “In a recent webinar that you did (the Improve Your Braking & Corner Entry – I learned a ton from it!), you showed a diagram of a corner where there was a period of time where there was no braking or acceleration. It seemed like coasting, and I was always taught that I should always be on the brakes or the gas pedal, with no coasting in between. What am I missing? Or was your diagram wrong?”
Q: Do I have to spin or crash to learn to drive the limit?
Q: “What are some ways to think of going “all four off” during a track day? I’m driving a Spec 944, and generally pushing hard, learning what the limit feels like. But, by so doing, end up all four off perhaps once, maybe twice during a weekend. I’m torn about what this signifies: Is it reasonable in the name of progress, or does it simply mean I’m not yet advanced (or skilled) enough to consistently push so hard? I did hear an instructor mention that small changes produce small surprises, which did resonate with me. Any thoughts would be appreciated.”
Q: How do I approach braking into a decreasing radius corner?
Q: “How do I approach a decreasing corner where I cannot straight line brake and must have some steering input while braking?”
Q: How do I transition my driving from a FWD Mini to a RWD C8 Corvette?
Q: “I am transitioning from driving a Mini Cooper S (181 hp FWD) for the past six years or so – my one and only track car until we took possession of our 2020 Corvette C8. I took the owners’ program at Ron Fellows and have one day in the C8 at Thunderhill. My question is, and recognizing that the principles you talked about are generally universal, do you have any particular suggestions for things to look for in the car or in my driving as I make the transition?”
Q: How should I prepare for my first club race?
Q: “What advice do you have for an experienced track day driver preparing for their first club race?”
Q: How do I test the limits to know if I’m driving my car as fast as possible?
Q: “How do you “test” if a corner can be taken flat? How do you build up, mentally and input-wise, to go faster through a corner than you ever have? How do you prepare for it not working out?”
Got Questions?
Get Immediate Answers