3 driving habits this seasoned driver will work on

In recent editorial meetings, I’ve been asked to share a few more driving tips that I’ve picked up from my now nearly 40 (gulp) years behind the wheel. Okay, first a little pause for me to wonder how the hell I got so old before I go yell at a neighborhood kid for wearing his pants “funny,” then we’ll get …

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It's always interesting to see how a seasoned driver will hone their craft. A champion racer once told me there's nothing that can't be improved. That applies for drivers, too.

We all know once you go to the throttle you should never take it off but I was surprised your being caught out by this.

I've always felt the one thing you learn in an under powered car is this. If you get into the throttle to hard to early (easy to do in them) the understeer scrubs off a tom of speed.

It shows up on what you call the redneck motec (the tach).

+500 on the driver coach.

J.A. Ackley said:

It's always interesting to see how a "seasoned" driver will hone their craft.

So are you suggesting JG is rubbing himself down with Paprika and Cayenne Pepper before he gets in the car?

"Seasoned"

ouch, guys. 

I can't speak for anyone else on this but for my own part when I get on track its very hard to take a step back and concentrate on the driving AND on watching out for those little bad habits that we may be totally unconscious of inserting into our performance. I always liked having the benefit of in-car coaching, and hearing those critical comments at the time they happen...I never saw that as a blow to the ego but more as the constructive criticism that I needed in order to be faster. The value of the extra pair of eyes can't be overstated. Picking up a few 10ths here and there pretty soon adds up to real benefits in lap time reduction. Regardless of changes and tweaks made to the car, the biggest changes for me came from tightening up the nut behind the wheel. I hope my skills will continue to improve but at the age of 72, this may be as good as it gets. :)

JG Pasterjak said:

"Seasoned"

 

ouch, guys. 

You still haven't answered the question....................

We should tell people that giving yourself a dry rub will make you faster...............I bet $50 at least 100 drivers try it.

Tom1200 said:

JG Pasterjak said:

"Seasoned"

 

ouch, guys. 

You still haven't answered the question....................

We should tell people that giving yourself a dry rub will make you faster...............I bet $50 at least 100 drivers try it.

I think he might have to marinate on that one.

Tom1200 said:

We all know once you go to the throttle you should never take it off but I was surprised your being caught out by this.

I've always felt the one thing you learn in an under powered car is this. If you get into the throttle to hard to early (easy to do in them) the understeer scrubs off a tom of speed.

It shows up on what you call the redneck motec (the tach).

+500 on the driver coach.

There was a saying when I rode sport bikes. 

"95% of the time more throttle is the answer. 5% of the time it ends the suspense."

I decidedly don't have that much track time in and what I have had is largely in HPDRE events.  Recently, I "earned" my solo novice status, but have decided after meeting a young professional drivers karting coach, I have decided to attend his school which conveniently is at the same track I've been attending HPDRE events.  

I spoke with this coach several times, and since I'm retired, he, or one of his other instructors can work one on one with me earlier in the day during the weekdays.  Since I'm primarily interested in improving my "racecraft", I figured why not try this route.  It's far less expensive than using my Mustang, and this is the route where most young drivers cut their racing chops these days anyway.  Plus, he mentioned that as I get more comfortable with the track, the kart, and my skillset, they have a racing series on that same track for those so inclined.  

So, here's to changing it up a bit!

I know this is about track driving, but...

In my case, on the street, I learned to embrace the suck. Traffic is such that driving anything at all sporty is enormously frustrating, so I solved that by buying a compact SUV. No more frustration.