How to find speed?

GameboyRMH wrote: I'd be afraid to go fast too if I thought something would break that could cause an accident. Test all the important stuff?

I do, before every day at the track. I go over the whole car and even make sure that I DD it for at least a week before the day to catch any potential issues. We have a few "challenging" roads around here, that's all I'm saying.

The last few problems either showed up at the track or happened on the way to the track. I have a bit of a reputation of having unusual parts break (getting the "funny, I've never seen one of these go wrong" reaction from a mechanic or supplier is pretty normal for me), but this is extracting the urine a bit by now. Last incident was the lock for the one month old harness on the driver's side falling apart when I arrived at the track. The manufacturer is replacing it (yay!), but still...

davidjs wrote: Post the videos on Youtube so we can all take potshots at your driving?

I would, if The Tube would hurry up processing the video that's been processing since Tuesday. Maybe uploading it in 720p wasn't such a smart idea.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: Bottom line: Seat time, seat time, seat time. Caveat: It has to be quality seat time with good instruction/observation to keep you from developing bad habits while you are building the muscle memory to go fast.

I tend to make sure that I have an instructor in the car for at least one session at every track day I go to. I find I learned quicker that way.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: Once you can drive at your own personal 10/10ths and do something else - like carry on a conversation w/o slowing down... then you are ready to have someone push your boundaries. To do that - have an instructor or racer you trust drive your car with you in it so you can see your personal barriers shattered.

That's a splendid idea, I'll see if I can find a volunteer the next time (which will most likely be next year, the track season up here is over).

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: And then DRIVE. It is all seat time and quality experience. Make sure you turn thousands of laps but don't go it all alone even if you have been solo'd. Have routine checkups to make sure you are using good vision, not cheating yourself of track, etc. If one instructor isn't giving you what you need - find another.

I think that's partially what's missing. Due to both location and, TBH, car issues in the last two years I've only been able to do 2-3 days a year. I used to go to at least 5-6 days in the UK and I notice the practise is lacking.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: EDIT: Re-reading your post on the trust issues - you really do have to do all the due diligence stuff to prepare the car and then put it out of your mind. Dwelling on safety stuff you forgot to do to the car while you are trying to master pushing it to it's limits is counter-productive to say the least. Make a list that satisfies you and execute every item on it. Then put it out of your mind. If you cannot - then it isn't really the car you are afraid of and you need to exercise that demon before you can get on to the next plateau. Talk about it with your instructor so he can target the right lesson for your case.

I've got a routine I've been going through with cars I track for a few years now. About a week before, the car gets up on axle stands and I check over brakes, drivetrain, safety gear etc. Then I drive it for at least a few days, if not the whole week to ensure that it behaves itself. I think part of the problem is that this Miata seems to be better at growing new problems that my Lotus Elise ever was.

amg_rx7 wrote: By the way, if you run tracks in Norther Cali, let me know. I'd be happy to do some lead follow or coaching if we happen to be at the same events. Or I can recommend you to some good coaches with Hooked on Driving.

Thanks, I'll take you up on that offer if I make it to Sonoma or Thunderhill soon and you happen to be there. Depends a little if I need to blow my remaining vacation days on job interviews[1] or not.

[1] Yeah, that's another thing that isn't helping.

davidjs wrote: Post the videos on Youtube so we can all take potshots at your driving?

Here's the target:

http://youtu.be/edlbmxJpp_4

For some reason I don't seem to be able to embed the video, sorry.

AngryCorvair wrote: harden the berkeley up?

I came to post this. Seriously though, you'll never be truly fast unless you are fearless (calculated fearlessness of course). The car is an object that is impeding your end goal of being the fastest thing on track. The car needs to be treated appropriately and with a firm hand. Hammer down and beat the piss out of it like its holding you back. And if you can't afford that...

Based on your video I think that is an almost perfect track to really push the limits. Most areas don't look too bad to do a little off roading. That being said, a car that is fully enclosed with a roll cage would provide a little more confidence. I can understand not wanting to roll your car across the desert. Like others mentioned see if you can find someone you feel is a good driver and have them take you out in the car. I am always amazed at how fast someone else can drive my car. With the knowledge that the car is capable, it should boost your confidence to push harder. Seat time and frequent trips to the track should increase your confidence and ability. I use my car for TT and I am usually mid pack in my class depending on who shows up. I find that I have a hard time pushing the envelope too far for a couple of reasons. One is self preservation and the other is not wanting to ruin everyone else's track time because I was a bone head. I have also found in the years I can do 6-8 events per season I am pretty fast, the years I only do 2 or 3, I am dog slow. Sometimes if you try too hard you go slower. My latest trick is to incrementally go a little deeper into the braking zone and if when I come out of the corner I wasn't scared, then I can go a little deeper next lap. I was out at a track a while ago and there are a couple of corners that are very intimidating both involve not lifting and walls, I was convinced I could do it (not lift) while in the paddock but when on the track could not get my brain to keep the pedal matted. I would lift for a split second. I got an instructor to go out with me and he was able to tell me I still had 10' to track out and after a couple of laps with him, I was down to just a few feet and not lifting. Knowing that I still had some cushion I felt like it was no big deal, where it had scared me before. Once I felt the sensation of being able to go through that corner without lifting, the other one wasn't too bad to experiment with. It is important to have faith in your equipment and having that "what if" floating around in your head will absolutely slow you down. Buy the best safety equipment you can afford, take a deep breath and go for it. Good luck!