[BMAN]

Rainy day, so here goes.

This is my first and only in car video. A friend of mine mounted his camera for the 2nd session of Sunday's NASA HPDE2 a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately they had a red flag test which shortened the session and seemed to disrupt the pace. There was a lot of traffic with varied speeds after the flag, so I trimmed it down to these clips.

I was hoping to tap into the experience of some great drivers and instructors here. I'll take any input.

The 1st clip starts with the pace car and has the only open lap of the session.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1rUSIi6dZM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1rUSIi6dZM

Same session with some open spaces.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L47icw9VPp4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L47icw9VPp4

Thanks!

[roundel]

Some observations:

You are moving your hands around too much on the wheel. Try to limit the shuffling to turns where you would get crossed up otherwise.

You left your hand on the shifter coming out of oak tree once.

At the top of the Esses you could let the car run and not pinch so hard to the right.

Finally, if possible, leave room when stopping without a cooldown so you can creep very slowly. Damage to rotors can be a bit reduced this way.

[FTS]

Very nice driving Brian. If I have to make any comments, two of them would be that you move your hands around the steering wheel too much (shuffling), I don't think you need to on most turns; and you are short shifting on the straights Next year, you'll easily be in the 2:15s I think

Cheers,

[BMAN]

Originally Posted by roundel

Some observations:

My shuffle steering is more active than I thought. I've had instuctors insist that I steer without moving my hands, within reason, and I can do it. When my forearms start to cross I feel like I've got the Kung Fu grip on the wheel and I lose feel. Shuffle keeps me relaxed but I realize mine's too much.
I definetly need to work on it.

Stopping...do you mean when I stopped for the red flag? The cars in front of me stopped very abruptly and didn't leave me much room. I think they were trying to stop in front of the flagger.

Thanks!

[BMAN]

Originally Posted by FTS

Very nice driving Brian. If I have to make any comments, two of them would be that you move your hands around the steering wheel too much (shuffling), I don't think you need to on most turns; and you are short shifting on the straights Next year, you'll easily be in the 2:15s I think

Cheers,

Thanks Fatih!

I knew my steering would be popular.

I am acutally trying to short shift a bit. I was running too deep and it wasn't worth it. What do you think about 5th up the esses and 6th down the straights? I am staying 4th and 5th and just about redline each time.

[roundel]

Originally Posted by BMAN

The cars in front of me stopped very abruptly and didn't leave me much room. I think they were trying to stop in front of the flagger.

Thanks!

Yeah, I am not sure you could have left yourself room this time, but it is a nice thing to strive for. I think the E36 in front of you may have braked harder than he needed to. Many wig out when they see the red flag.

[Dr K]

When I was in Blue, George W got me to drive the whole way around (for several sessions) without moving my hands at all, even in turn 5. It can be done.

[BMAN]

Originally Posted by Dr K

(for several sessions) without moving my hands at all

Probably what I need to do. I haven't driven enough sessions doing it and when I do I tend to exaggerate by holding on too long. I need to find the middle ground.

[MLIN]

Hey Brian, nice driving.

It's hard to tell from just watching the vid, but a couple of things that stood out.
1. you can take Southbend much earlier. Turn in earlier, and get both front and rear left tires on the curbing at apex. Be sure to have most steering done at the top of the hill (around apex) and ready to unwind and apply full power at apex. well, maybe not full power with your car

2. When you turn in at oak tree, it looks like you are in the middle of the track . As you hit T11 (right kink before Oak tree), get on the curbing and track all the way out to the left edge of the track. As you get closer to the left edge, you brake and get the car rotated then back on full throttle as early as possible as you unwind and come out of oak tree. Be careful, it gets pretty slippery at track out and will probably require counter steer every now and then.

3. It looks like you are slowing down a lot/too much going into Hog pen. I think you are turning in too early on the first left hander (T16) which causes you to over brake after apex to set up for the right hander (T17). Turn in a tad later on T16 and stay more track left so you can carry more momentum into T17 and T17a and again, focus on getting back on gas sooner.

Your T1 - T4 looked good. You might be able to track out a little more/wider at T2, but that will come as you try to apply more power and the car wants to push to the left side. Did the roller coaster area well, too. good job.

[FTS]

Originally Posted by BMAN

I am actually trying to short shift a bit. I was running too deep and it wasn't worth it. What do you think about 5th up the esses and 6th down the straights? I am staying 4th and 5th and just about redline each time.

It is tough for me to answer Brian; I do not know the torque/hp curves of your car. I take the uphill esses in 4th on the straights I stay on 5th, which does get close to red line, maybe 6800 rpm, not sure right now. However, I can see you getting into 6th on the straights. As I always say, driving big trq/hp cars are much more difficult than the ones without, which is of course all relative. At the same time, if you don't have confidence in your brakes, it is all worthless IMHO. What ever amount of money you intend to spend in the future on the car, spend it on the brakes to the level you feel absolutely confident on them.

Cheers,