Ask Ross
Q&A with Ross Bentley
Q: How do I get in the zone while driving?
Q: “What do I need to do to drive more often subconscious ‘over’ the limit, in the zone (when you are driving completely automatic over your conscious limit)?”
read moreQ: When should I trail brake & when shouldn’t I?
Q: “Through the years I was taught trail braking and using the rotation of the car to aid in getting through the turn. Everything has worked well for me until I had a professional driver and coach sit right seat. This pro driver suggested all the braking be done prior to entering the corner and be sure the vehicle is settled well in advance of the corner. We were able to implement this technique and see positive results. I would classify it as a medium speed corner but that may be because it’s at the end of the front straight and I’m hard on the brakes. Now I’m confused. I have two different approaches to driving and want to continue building my skill set, however, I want to solidify and build on a technique that is safe. What are your thoughts?”
read moreQ: Which is more important, tire pressures or temps?
Q: “My question is: Which is more important, tire pressures or tire temps? Or more importantly, how they influence each other respectively.”
read moreQ: Any recommendations for data acquisition books?
Q: I am about to venture into using data analysis. Is there a good book you can recommend to a neophyte on this quest? Subjects such as what to expect, how to make sense of data, relationship between data and what me and or the car are doing, and what to do different to improve my racecraft would be welcomed. Among others subjects that you believe are important.
read moreQ: What data acquisition system should I buy?
Q: Okay, say I have the $5k it takes to set up a really nice data system for my SpecE30 (about to start my 3rd season). Should I put the data system in first and then get some strong coaching, or is the $5k best spent on that coaching first?
read moreQ: How do I drive 1 to 2 tenths of a second faster?
Q: “How do I get 1 to 2 tenths of a second faster in each corner? I know my car can do it as other drivers on my team are that much faster than me but I don’t know what to do to find just that little bit more and it really is taking the fun out of racing for me.”
read moreQ: Where should I be focusing when trail braking?
Q: I really like the idea of focusing on the point where you are off the brakes as opposed to where you begin. But if it is a trail braking corner where are you focusing on exactly???
read moreQ: How do I know what’s the right corner entry speed?
I was talking to Josef Newgarden at the Phoenix test this year, and I asked him how he worked up to speed in Turn 1. He told me that his approach on ovals is to go flat, and if the car starts to move, then he slows down… but how do I know what’s the right corner entry speed?
read moreQ: When should I “blip” the throttle when heel & toeing?
Q: I have a question that’s kinda bugging me about heel-n-toe downshifting. Is there a noteworthy difference of when to “blip” the throttle (while selecting the new gear OR after selecting the new gear)? I know that the ultimate goal is a smooth shift with the clutch engaging at appropriate engine and transmission RPM’s so that the car is not unsettled.
read moreQ: Do you have any tips for identifying the brake release point in a turn?
Q: I have heard/read you discuss focusing on brake release points rather than brake initiation points in a turn, and understand how the braking paradigm should change if I can focus on the brake release point. However, for the less experienced driver, determining the right brake release point can be as difficult as finding the correct brake initiation point.
read moreQ: Could you please tell me what a momentum car is?
Q: Could you please tell me what a momentum car is? I know from your tips that a car has to be driven on the rugged edge of it. How does it relate to the term? And, if I am racing how cautious I need to be thinking about crashes?
read moreQ: Any guidelines for how to set and monitor brake bias?
In the afternoon race on Saturday at Thunderhill, I had two snap spins going into T10. The first time it happened, I was trying to go a little deeper before braking, and I did mash the brake pedal pretty hard. The second time, I went maybe a little deeper, and got on the brakes what I thought was with moderate pressure.
read moreQ: Is it always the best to ride the car towards the edge of the wall on a speedway?
Is it always the best to ride the car towards the edge of the wall on a speedway? Shouldn’t dust or debris be considered? Is there any different way to approach speedways like Indianapolis for example? What aspects are different on an inclined track from a regular leveled track?
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