How to drive an R500 D properly...
Discussion
thequietone said:
I'm with a few other guys on this....most of the speed is in the car, not the driver, if you see what I mean. Lots and lots of time slipping away but that's not what it's always about. Cracking viewing though!
The ring is a bit like a hillclimb, in that a fast car does not a quick lap make! You need to be able to string the corners together well to go quickly there. Pointing and squirting is what the UK registered bikes do, and hold everyone up (they seem to forget they have mirrors)...thequietone said:
I'm with a few other guys on this....most of the speed is in the car, not the driver, if you see what I mean. Lots and lots of time slipping away but that's not what it's always about. Cracking viewing though!
Sorry - wrong. Just plain wrong. At the Ring a fast car in duff hands will be lucky to get below 9 minutes. People consider themselves to be pretty good when they can crack 8.30. This guy is doing 7.36. I guess you just won't get it until you've been there and had a go for yourself - the Ring is a very unique track. It's not like your typical 2 min race circuit. Apart from the basic issue of having to learn the lines on over 140 corners, the change of elevation is quite something, the track is narrow as hell, it is rare to find all of it dry, traffic is a constant issue, bumps seem strategically placed to be at the most precarious places, and there is about 1 foot of runoff at most of the deadly corners... It's not like driving some diluted F1 track where going off has no major consequences. We all agree there are a few more seconds to be had from driving a neater line, but I doubt you'd get more than 10 - 15s improvement - and at the Ring to be that close to optimum is mighty.subirg said:
thequietone said:
I'm with a few other guys on this....most of the speed is in the car, not the driver, if you see what I mean. Lots and lots of time slipping away but that's not what it's always about. Cracking viewing though!
Sorry - wrong. Just plain wrong. At the Ring a fast car in duff hands will be lucky to get below 9 minutes. People consider themselves to be pretty good when they can crack 8.30. This guy is doing 7.36. I guess you just won't get it until you've been there and had a go for yourself - the Ring is a very unique track. It's not like your typical 2 min race circuit. Apart from the basic issue of having to learn the lines on over 140 corners, the change of elevation is quite something, the track is narrow as hell, it is rare to find all of it dry, traffic is a constant issue, bumps seem strategically placed to be at the most precarious places, and there is about 1 foot of runoff at most of the deadly corners... It's not like driving some diluted F1 track where going off has no major consequences. We all agree there are a few more seconds to be had from driving a neater line, but I doubt you'd get more than 10 - 15s improvement - and at the Ring to be that close to optimum is mighty.fergus said:
The Wookie said:
He's clearly got some bottle, but meh.
Most of the sideways moments are self inflicted though, it's not just the car/tyres
surely, by definition, unless you unexpectedly hit a slippy patch, all sideways moments are self inflicted?:scractchchin:Most of the sideways moments are self inflicted though, it's not just the car/tyres
I'd also disagree with 'smooth looks fast on video, but it isn't necessarily quick', I'd say it's the opposite. That LOOKS great, but it isn't.
Also, I personally think that 'forget about UK circuits, any racing experience you have etc etc its the ring', is a bit silly. It's like any other bumpy circuit with no runoff, only longer. Yes I haven't been there so in true PH tradition I know nothing, but different physics don't apply and you can see that he's a track day warrior, not a racer.
That's not to say that he's not a good driver and he didn't set a good time, it's to say that it's a reasonable lap but not a stunning achievement. Hence my original statement of 'he's got some bottle, but meh'
Bedazzled said:
Hmmm... lots of people claiming they can drive it better from their armchair, but not a single video posted to back it up. Says everything really. Personally I enjoyed watching the video but IMHO two cars shouldn't be racing like that on a track-day, regardless of skill levels.
all it says is you can't read.Not one post saying that anyone can do better. Show me where anyone has said to the contrary.
Edited by pw75 on Saturday 31st October 13:35
looks a bit ragged/overdriven but also looks fast IMO...
and clearly IS fast with that sort of time
I also think as others have said that the oversteer is partially a function of the setup and that this chap probably likes to drive through understeer and manhandle the car quite a bit... all comes down to personal taste
would love to post a little R400 Challenge video I have as a counterpoint (showing quicker, smoother driving) but not sure if i'm allowed
and clearly IS fast with that sort of time
I also think as others have said that the oversteer is partially a function of the setup and that this chap probably likes to drive through understeer and manhandle the car quite a bit... all comes down to personal taste
would love to post a little R400 Challenge video I have as a counterpoint (showing quicker, smoother driving) but not sure if i'm allowed
fergus said:
thequietone said:
I'm with a few other guys on this....most of the speed is in the car, not the driver, if you see what I mean. Lots and lots of time slipping away but that's not what it's always about. Cracking viewing though!
The ring is a bit like a hillclimb, in that a fast car does not a quick lap make! You need to be able to string the corners together well to go quickly there. Pointing and squirting is what the UK registered bikes do, and hold everyone up (they seem to forget they have mirrors)...Unlike moisture.....the chap does Spa in the damp and here you can see the weaker points to his style are magnified massively. I don't mind putting up some wet laps around Spa for comparision. PW75 can you assist fella?
James.S said:
fergus said:
thequietone said:
I'm with a few other guys on this....most of the speed is in the car, not the driver, if you see what I mean. Lots and lots of time slipping away but that's not what it's always about. Cracking viewing though!
The ring is a bit like a hillclimb, in that a fast car does not a quick lap make! You need to be able to string the corners together well to go quickly there. Pointing and squirting is what the UK registered bikes do, and hold everyone up (they seem to forget they have mirrors)...Unlike moisture.....the chap does Spa in the damp and here you can see the weaker points to his style are magnified massively. I don't mind putting up some wet laps around Spa for comparision. PW75 can you assist fella?
Agreed that to get a quick lap, everything must come together, but there are few UK circuits that I can think of where the 1st corner affects the exit speed of the 3rd corner for example (other than the maggotts/beckets complex at slitherstone).... Several corners are also blind, unlike most UK circuits...
FFS - the link was put up as a bit of fun to show a relatively committed lap at the 'Ring. It wasn't an illustration of driving finesse or the perfect line.
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