IN CLOSING
The under developed car control driver can range from a very timid, slow driver to a fast professional, the over developed car control driver can range from a hack who can just drive a car sideways while keeping it on track to a professional drifter, and the refined car control driver has the comfort and confidence that allows them to push the car to the limit without the fear of spinning and the ability to catch most slides. From there, the refined car control driver will spend the rest of their career trying to keep a car as high up the tire’s friction curve and riding the peak as much as possible. It is a never ending process.
While there are different ways to drive a car fast, different routes, backgrounds, experiences, methods, and paths, I personally feel that being well rounded as a driver with an over developed car control background is a key tool for anyone ranging from the beginner on up to the seasoned professional. As a driver you can never focus on the negatives and ‘what-ifs’ and need to be maximizing your focus on driving fast and racecraft, so having the confidence and abilities to catch almost any slide from muscle memory and second nature that you would likely encounter is a key tool in the progress of improving your craft and will make you better, faster.
If I haven’t lost you by now and you are still reading this and liked what you read, share your thoughts and leave a comment below if you would like to see more stuff like this from me in the future.
-Billy
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10 comments
Great article! Had to follow up here after the Speed Secrets weekly left me hanging on the definition of the refined driver!
Thanks for listening in and reading this here!
I have been using a simulator to get more comfortable with driving beyond the limit. On track, as soon as the problem occurs, I generally have the developed muscle memory necessary to get out of the trouble I created. It replaced some of the other questionable methods I used to cut my teeth as a younger adult.
Like Ernie (above), I found this article after reading Ross’s latest Speed Secrets Weekly. I am a club racer, and tend to be very timid about losing control of the car by going past the limit. I took a one day Car Control Clinic at Lime Rock earlier this year, and developed some confidence in going over the limit at low speeds. But at higher speeds, on a dry, fast track, it is still a struggle. I will be driving at Thompson in CT next month, that has some slow corners with wide runoff. I’ll drive on worn out tires, and force myself to do some sliding!
Great article Billy. I have been driving at HPDE’s for 3 years now and agree with what you say. I’ve had some instuctors push me past my current limits and helped me get faster only to come back to the same track and have an instructor slow me down and not let me drive to my current abilities.
Thank you for such detail in the article. I have found my place as a driver just by reading this. Now I can focus on the next area of improvement for myself.
I absolutely enjoyed reading this. This is exactly the Aviation-level, in depth ground school that teaches you how to think about what you’re doing. -And how to understand reality for what it is. I know this will provide a solid foundation for my first HPDE event later this year. Thank you.
Thank you for the feedback, I am glad to hear it!
Wow! What a great read. Thank you for taking the time to explain this in all the detail that you did! I know where I am behind the wheel and where I wish to go. This article was exceptional. I can’t wait to gain more seat time and practice car control more and more!
Excellent article, Billy! Looking forward to learning more from you. And yes, please continue to write. You have a gift and both a driver and writer!