by Ross Bentley | Oct 5, 2021 | Ask Ross
Q: “My tires have a small, raised triangle on the sidewall, near the top of the tire where the tread starts. Local legend suggests optimum/maximum tire patch is gained when the sidewall deflection/rollover/rub line (chalking tires) just touches the tip of this triangle. Is this true/false, a quick-and-dirty gauge, or totally wrong? I’m not suggesting this method, if viable, is a replacement for temperature readings across the tire. However, I’m curious because as an HPDE-only type, I don’t have the equipment, crew, and track time to properly use the temperature gauge method. I noticed that my street tires – Michelin Pilot Super Sport 4S have a tiny Michelin Man in a similar spot as the triangle on the R888R’s. So, it’s gotta be there for a reason, right? The question is: For what purpose?”
by Ross Bentley | Sep 28, 2021 | Ask Ross
Q: “I often hear instructors talk about the “school line” versus the “racing line.” What’s the difference, and which should I drive?”
by Ross Bentley | Sep 21, 2021 | Ask Ross
Q: “I’ve never driven on a race track, but want to, and found your website full of great information. But since I’ve never been to what I understand is called a “track day,” how much will one cost me? Also, how should I prepare to do one?”
by Ross Bentley | Sep 14, 2021 | Ask Ross
Q: “I am an instructor and often suggest to students that they review your Virtual Track Walks in preparation for a DE day. They have asked me, “What does he mean by “collect up” the car in turn 2? As you will recall, there is a discussion of racing ovals and using a “diamond” line. We teach either the single apex or a double apex approach. I can’t explain to them what you mean by “collect up.” When we teach double apex, we are taking a relatively fast, straight entry, braking to apex 1, releasing/rotating and driving to apex 2 and tracking out to the right side of the track. Perhaps the double apex approach with braking to Apex 1 and then turning is the same thing as “collecting up”, but I’m not sure.”
by Ross Bentley | Sep 7, 2021 | Ask Ross
Q: “I’m a relative newbie who made the jump from HPDE to racing and experienced something weird at my last race. The car in front of me brake checked me on the main straightaway. I was tucked in tight and drafting him. He did it again in a race the next day. We were both driving slow momentum cars. His car was slightly faster. Is this something I should expect to see from other racers in the future? It felt dirty and dangerous. Maybe I’m just a newbie and it’s standard stuff.”
by Ross Bentley | Aug 31, 2021 | Ask Ross
Q: “I’m fairly new to the sport of track driving, and I’m wondering whether I should be insuring my car when I do track events? I’ve looked at the cost of track day insurance, but not really sure it’s worth it. What do you think?”
