Trans-Am onboard video from Miller

Skeen · #1 06-08-2010, 11:18 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N36WJd5XZJE

Astraist · #2 06-09-2010, 06:07 AM

Mike,

It's obviously very good but there is (like always) place for improvement, if you don't mind me commenting:

1. The enlarged central mirror you have fitted does not give you any gain in the level of perception time or vision behind and besides you. Use the original set and you will soon find out you get a clearer image of what's around you, which equalls more concentration on the road ahead!

2. There appears to be points where you apply a steering inputs large enough to require a predictive prepositioning of the pulling hand, instead of keeping the hands fixed (which results beyong 90 degrees of rotation in an extended use of upper body strength)

3. Your sliding and countersteering motion in 2:00-2:03 and the somewhat delayed recovery, along with the amount of steering lock applied in various spots on the track, as well as the manner of application, makes me inclined to believe that you do not use weight transfers to your advantage to a sufficient extent.

This is something I cannot be sure of unless I get an image of what your feet are doing (footcam next time, please), but trying to get the weight backwards while oversteering is much more important than any steering correction and will often remove the need to countersteer (I.E. you will only have to take a bit of lock off and accelerate forwards).

Countersteering is dangerous, kills neutral handling and normally equals to a mistake in driving! Often, a slight review of one's utilization of the eyes and/or positioning in the car, is helpful (although the latter appears to be fine.

Skeen · #3 06-09-2010, 09:31 AM

1. I know about the mirrors.

2. I am not a fan of the pre-positioning technique in most situations. I believe a fixed hand position is smoother for most people. Also, in this car I am rarely, if ever, going past 90*. There was a very brief moment during the correction at 2min, but that's about it.

3. The slide was admittedly undesirable, but it was due to the tires still being a bit cool and low pressure. I will have to disagree on the other points. Counter-steering is a necessary tool and it is silly to exclude it from use. Obviously the pedal inputs are important to balancing the car, but balancing the yaw of the car completely with the throttle is not always possible.

I'm curious, have you ever driven large GT cars with significant horsepower?

Warpedcow · #4 06-09-2010, 01:02 PM

Regarding pre-positioning, Tiff Needell (former F1 driver, various other race series, current Fifth Gear presenter, former Top Gear presenter) teaches fixed hand positions up to 180 degrees, not 90 degrees.

Astraist · #5 06-09-2010, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warpedcow

Regarding pre-positioning, Tiff Needell (former F1 driver, various other race series, current Fifth Gear presenter, former Top Gear presenter) teaches fixed hand positions up to 180 degrees, not 90 degrees.

Tiff Needell is one of the presenters I appreciate more highly, but likewise, I can issue proof from participants in Formula Vauxhaull, Formula Mazda, Rally du-Var, and others, who support my method.

Skeen · #6 06-09-2010, 03:43 PM

All of us could find people that support fixed hand position, shuffle-steering, and pre-positioning, that's not the point. They are all tools that you need to have in your bag of tricks. IMO, fixed hands are best in most track driving situations (nearing 180* of steering input).

I don't intend to argue this point or others.

Astraist · #7 06-09-2010, 01:38 PM

1. Okay.

2. Once a steering input is larger than 90 degrees, you begin using too much upper body strength. For steering (and shifting, and pedaling, etcetra...) we want our more gentle and sensitive muscles and brute force of shoulder muscles is unwanted.

It's not too bad in a track enviornment, but in situations where more complex steering inputs are required I have found it to make a crucial difference in times.

3. Like I said, it was hard for me to deduct exactly what occured in that slide from the video, due to the lack of information on car stats (like that you had cold and under-inflated tires) and of what you did with your feet. (In motorsport, feet>hands)

Yes I did run powerfull cars (Cayman, Ferrari. Funyo), of course I did, on more than one occasion and in various places. Besides, that claim is partially irrelevant because I write based on the knowledge of others greater than I. Tradition is an important element in professional motorsport.

Ever seen a novice get understeer and simply turn ever more sharply, only to make the skid worst? Ever saw them countersteering through oversteer, only to over-correct or find themselves sliding sideways on full opposite lock, hoping to run out of speed before running out of road?

Feet come before hands -- a subject I brought up in the forum earlier in finding a way to get students to apply this rule. It gets even more important as grip levels decreases.