[VaSteve]

I was thinking about the following...

The tracks we drive are rather old and presumably designed for the cars of the day. Thus our lower HP 911s do a great job. In fact, we hit the red line at certain points through some of the turns (by design?). I imagine these tracks to be wholly different (less exciting?) in a higher HP or newer with all the bells and whistles (wider wheels, bigger brakes, traction control, etc.)

Then I got to thinking about golf courses. Newer golf courses are designed to be longer because the technological advances in the equipment (if not the golfer) make the older courses too easy.

Since I guess there are far fewer tracks built than golf courses each year (decade ), how much do they factor in the cars that will drive on them when designing the track?

[APKhaos]

Interesting point, Steve.

Our races this past weekend were at CMP. My first time at this track. Its fairly tight, with a final series of four turns onto the start-finish straight that are extremely tight - think kart racing! It was a struggle to keep my car held back anough for this series of 2nd gear corners with just enough track between the corners to force an upshift to 3rd/downshift to 2nd.

I have some video of a Rolex seies 2004 Cap car doing a [very] fast lap of CMP. Its truly amazing to see how quick these more powerful and 'sticky' cars run on this track. Its clear that this track rewards handling more than sheer power, but its also clear that it provides a challenge for all cars, which is what a good track should do.

[Robert in Potomac]

Take a look at the design of Barber MotorSports in Birmingham, Alabama. That track was recently built and houses both PDE and many "typical" races. It is a very technical course with a relatively short straight and 15 turns in 2.3 miles.

I was quite surprised how well the 911's used for PDE did on the track. I admit this was the first time I drove a rear engine auto at track speeds, but, did not feel that the Porsche was overpowered or the course was too technical.

We will see next week whether my turbo is overpowered for SP - I sort of doubt it, although, I suspect I may run faster lap times than my Mini or even my Boxster S.

[}{arlequin]

I've never heard a "hairdryer" owner refer to their boosted car as *overpowered*

[Robert in Potomac]

I think some of the 911 drivers waving me by in my Mini at SP (in the rain) would take exception to "hairdryer."

[racer]

Doesn't matter about the track. What matters is if you drive the car right on the edge. Then its always fun. Although I can see your point, Steve. At Lime Rock, for instance, a typical class f/g 911 runs about a 1:03? The track record is 45 seconds in a Toyota GTP car from the 1990's. I can imaging going around the track 15-20 second faster than most DE 911's run. It becomes more work, perhaps, but that type of work can be fun!

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by racer

Doesn't matter about the track. What matters is if you drive the car right on the edge.

I guess what I'm asking is, isn't it harder to drive you car at the edge if you have "more car"?

[APKhaos]

Originally Posted by Robert in Potomac

Take a look at the design of Barber MotorSports in Birmingham, Alabama. That track was recently built and houses both PDE and many "typical" races. It is a very technical course with a relatively short straight and 15 turns in 2.3 miles. <snip>

What was really surprising [?] was the crying from the Cup car crowd that Barber MSP did not have enough straight and had waaay too much tight stuff. In fact, Barber made some changes to calm them down a bit. Lots of high HP guys prefer the long fast tracks. Anyone can drive fast in a straight line, right? The challenge comes when the designer sets a real test of car and driver. Mid Ohio is a classic example.

[racer]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

I guess what I'm asking is, isn't it harder to drive you car at the edge if you have "more car"?

I think of it as a learning curve. I started with a 914 and learned to drive it quite well. Then I stepped up to my 911 and felt slower until I learned the car. Now I am much quicker in the 911 than the 914. I would think if I stepped into a GT-3 I might not be much quicker at first, but with time I would be much quicker. Slip angles are slip angles, brakes are brakes, steering is steering and tires are tires, whether you are going 30mph or 130 mph. As comfort level grows with experience, what once seemed "fast" now seems natural (maybe even "slow"). With your "eyes" driving ahead of you (occular driving) you should be suprised by what's ahead or around you. In a way, whey you are in a zone, things seem to slow down as you go faster.