Just got back from MSR and day one of the Supra nats. I tracked my GT2 for the first time. One thing I learned is that on the track, driver skill is the most important variable.

On my first run I took it somewhat easy and just tried to learn

On my second run I was in the front of the pack and 2 Supras were on my tail and I let them pass. One was about 720 to the wheels and the other much less. My car was a superior overall track car both the fact was they were out driving me (I think they each had a couple of track events under their belt but were still classified as novices).

However, once I started following and began to figure out their lines I passed them and pulled away from the pack. I was flowing sloothly and the speed was effortless. I was relaxed and confident and my lap times reflected this.

However, on my third run I was running with advanced cars. Cars with less performance capablities (a moderately modified Vette and a modified M3 for example) but the drivers were so much more experienced than me that they passed me and pulled on me. I tried to catch them (sadly I was making the mistake of letting my ego get involved) but I was no match. In fact as I got somewhat frustrated (it was late in the day and fatigue was setting in) and tried harder my driving became worse. In fact I finally spun out but fortunately realized it was time to call it a day.

A very humbling, but informative experience. No matter how superior your car is, driver skill is paramount. And practice (w/out ego involvment), like in so many other things, is the key.

 

Would love to see some fotos or videos!!!!!!!!!!

 

Doc, last year I did five track days! I agree 100%, practice practice & see what the faster guys are doing. I cant wait to start this year!...tom

 

Top gun,

I feel so bad for my baby when I track her. I don't think I could stand to subject her to more than 1 or 2 events a year. But yes, I really need to develop my track skills. I am making many mistakes.

 

You'll feel like a proud papa after a few events! Dont feel bad, it's the way it's meant to be driven. You will only get better! I'm already thinking about a trailer.... lol

 

well Dr glad you got to the track!!! I am a total addict. Driving skill is certainly the most important thing. Very humbling.
I had my cayenne S at the track many times and easily passed EVERY car in my run group when I was in the novice group. And most when I was intermediate.
When in the advanced group the cayenne was a road block!! We all had the same skills and I had a 5000 pound truck!!
Learning the lines, apexes, brake zones, and turn in points are the most important.
these cars like late apexes.
We had an advanced run group with a supra with a lic plate that said 800hp.
Easily passed him! HP doesnt beat good driving skills.
As for the car. My car spends 25-40 days at the track a year. Many of them in wheel to wheel competition run groups and timed time trials for national points. the car has 30k miles on the clock is an ,02 and I still take it to several car shows a year and people think it is BRAND NEW!!!

These cars DO NOT NEED TO BE BABIED. they are bullet proof. there is more car there than most of us could ever utilize!! They have been over built by the factory to be at the top of the porsche food chain and they are.

take them to the track and run them and have fun. you and your car will enjoy it!!!!

 

Sean
What is the agenda for tomorrow
Robert

 

Thanks Tom,

I agree, skill is everything. It reminds me of when I started training in Brazillian Juijitsu: I was a former wrestler in high school and a national caliber bodybuilder but all my brute strength was helpless against the experienced BJJ players. They just schooled me.

Ironically, it wasn't until I stopped relying on brute force and started relaxing and developing skills that I started to progress . It took years of 3-4 days a week of training to get good. I had to swallow my pride and get tapped out...a lot, lol. Of course I eventually became an instructor.

It seems that the same learning curve applies to the track: As long as I am obssesed w/ trying to win I won't develop. If I just concentrate on finding the best lines and flow, the speed will naturally develop.

The problem now is that I am not sure if I want to devote that much time and effort into becoming a good track driver...I have become lazy in my old age, lol.

But I definately respect the work and skills involved in becoming a good track driver. I am going to try and get out at least once a year to the track.

 

Your experience mirrors mine. I can tell you that PSM lets you push just a bit harder with little conseqence. https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...ad.php?t=76655

I don't think the track was that hard on my car. Just the tires and maybe paint. While I don't plan to do this regularly (much like you), I will definitely masking tape the car very well the next time.

It was great fun.

 

IMHO, there's just two items that represent the largest "bang for the buck," in terms of getting faster lap times:

1) driver training (have someone teach you the lines, and then practice, practice, practice);

2) better tires

so many people get overawed by huge HP. as the old Pirelli slogan goes "power is nothing without control".

i've seen guys in tricked out Honda Civics go faster than 911 Turbos at a track, and its all down to experience, confidence and knowing what you're doing.

also IMO, the best track car is the one that you're comfortable flogging at 9 or even 10/10ths, because you don't feel bad at the end of the day that you've abused your pride and joy.

having said that, if you plan to only have one car, and your objective is to be able to drive to and from the track in comfort, AND have lots of good fun lapping, then you're never going to go wrong with a Porsche

have fun!!!

 

I'm looking into taking some DE track courses before jumping straight onto the track simply because I have no track skills whatsoever. Glad to see more people actually tracking their TT/2/3 since it is in their bloodline.

 

There are some major things you have to remember but are easier said than done.

Always race yourself (or just practice making the lines) as a beginner. because the worst way to learn is to try and race before you know the lines thoroughly. Do not try following lines of someone else (while trying to keep up or pass) you arent really learning the lines. I remember my first session of free track after having run lead follow for a while and boy was it tough!!!!!! The less attention you pay to other cars the faster and more you learn unless you are following an instructor or experienced driver.


Also people are going to see GT2 on your car and they are gunning for you because of that so they can brag about passing one, that's fine, you are a begginner, when you learn how to drive that thing they will be eating lapped dust all day. And it takes seat time to become a better driver, lots of it, your car is built for the track, it will survive.

 

Thanks everyone,

It seems that the key to better track times is to focus on the details: Holding exactly the right line and then braking at the exact right moment. I agree totally that once you focus on other cars your driving suffers.

 

Congrats on pushing your car as it was originally intended,
It is major amounts of fun--good for you!

Marty

 

damn good reading...might have to try the track thing out with the new car...time to swallow my pride!

M