Performance & Race Driving Tip
Speed Secret: Synchronize your driving with the data acquisition.
Data acquisition is an extremely powerful self-coaching tool… but only if you synchronize it with your driving.
What do I mean by that?
The first time you come off the track knowing absolutely, 100%- for-sure, no doubt about it, you took that super-fast sweeper with your foot flat to the floor on the throttle, only to have the data acquisition lie… I mean, tell you that you didn’t – that you lifted – well, that’s what I mean about synching your driving with the data. Make sure that what you feel in the car corresponds with the data.
With time and consistent review of the data after every session on track, your driving will be synched – you’ll almost be able to draw the throttle, brake pressure, steering angle, and even speed traces without looking at the data. Eventually your mind is so in tune with what you’re doing that the data acquisition is simply backing up what you’ve already felt and reported. But – and this is critical – data acquisition will give you another dimension of detail and accuracy that you just can’t develop on your own.
You know you’re really switched on to what you’re doing (and what the data will report) when you’re able to draw a speed, throttle, braking, and steering trace for a particular corner, then go out and match it.
Check back here often for more tips and advice for performance drivers, race drivers, high performance driving instructors, and anyone else interested in learning to get around race tracks quickly.
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Something I have been wanting to do! Any experience with an entry level system for a vintage club racer that works well without breaking the budget?
Mark – At the least expensive end, I recommend the Track Attack app that you can use with your phone (trackattackapp.com). It’s amazing what it can do. The next step up that I’d recommend is an AIM system. Check with Peter Krause at http://peterkrause.net and let him know that we’ve “talked” – he’ll find the perfect solution for you.
While the phone apps are a great way to dip your toe in the water, small, self contained GPS devices such as the AiM Sports Solo and VBOX Sport are two that can really help you lift your game! Historic cars operate under the same laws of physics as the most modern prototypes, and while the ultimate limits may be a little less, what you’re trying to execute in the cockpit is the same “best execution of fundamental skills.” To that end, drivers need a way to objectively and with accuracy review their own performance. The next cost jump up from these excellent entry level devices ($399 and $429, respectively) is when you add “intelligent” video, which I have found to be the most valuable tool available. Intelligent video is video WITH performance metrics (speed, g’s, lap times” already on the video! Video VBOX Lite, AiM SmartyCam HD and Race-Keeper are all good choices. I realized a long time ago no one system did everything for every user, so I am a dealer for five major brands and can work with users to determine what will work best for them. Ping me!
Agreed, Peter. And for anyone else reading this, I highly recommend Peter’s services – go to http://peterkrause.net to contact him. (No, this is not a paid commercial! 🙂 It’s just that I highly respect what Peter does)