Off road buggy TT. I must win. Tips?
Discussion
Ill be competing (I say competing, but its a casual 'buggy experience'with a few friends) next weekend.
The organiser tells me we will be driving 600cc off-road buggies in a time trial. I assume the buggies will be powerful enough to allow spins from oversteer, but not get anybody into any serious trouble if they overstep the limit.
I have zero experience racing offroad and have never driven a buggy so would appreciate some tips that will help me achieve the fastest lap.
Would the best times be achieved from being smooth and trying to maintain grip, or chucking it into the corners and drifting it around under power? (assuming I can control it.)
The whole day is set up as a jolly and everybody just wants to enjoy themselves with a light hearted competition, but I really want to win. Because thats the way I am and I'll probably never change.
So, any advice?
Thanks.
The organiser tells me we will be driving 600cc off-road buggies in a time trial. I assume the buggies will be powerful enough to allow spins from oversteer, but not get anybody into any serious trouble if they overstep the limit.
I have zero experience racing offroad and have never driven a buggy so would appreciate some tips that will help me achieve the fastest lap.
Would the best times be achieved from being smooth and trying to maintain grip, or chucking it into the corners and drifting it around under power? (assuming I can control it.)
The whole day is set up as a jolly and everybody just wants to enjoy themselves with a light hearted competition, but I really want to win. Because thats the way I am and I'll probably never change.
So, any advice?
Thanks.
Don't really have experience with buggies, but I'd say that the most effective way to drive them to get the time is through a clean stile. I don't know what the surface will be like (mud/gravel/sand), but looking at MX, most often the best times are achieved through careful control of oversteer considering that with plentiful of oppo you'll be stuck digging holes.
As for the driving style, assuming that we are talking about traditional buggies (ie no Baja-style trucks), the approach should be the classic Porshe one, so braking straight, slow in, fast out once at the apex.
That said..... have fun!
As for the driving style, assuming that we are talking about traditional buggies (ie no Baja-style trucks), the approach should be the classic Porshe one, so braking straight, slow in, fast out once at the apex.
That said..... have fun!
Enricogto said:
Don't really have experience with buggies, but I'd say that the most effective way to drive them to get the time is through a clean stile. I don't know what the surface will be like (mud/gravel/sand), but looking at MX, most often the best times are achieved through careful control of oversteer considering that with plentiful of oppo you'll be stuck digging holes.
As for the driving style, assuming that we are talking about traditional buggies (ie no Baja-style trucks), the approach should be the classic Porshe one, so braking straight, slow in, fast out once at the apex.
That said..... have fun!
I think its just a track marked out in a field, so either dusty or muddy depending on rain.As for the driving style, assuming that we are talking about traditional buggies (ie no Baja-style trucks), the approach should be the classic Porshe one, so braking straight, slow in, fast out once at the apex.
That said..... have fun!
ETA: Rage buggies I think.
WetPaint said:
It's not uncommon for underhand tactics to occur on their part. Only makes me try harder.
Just for the record, I'm not a poor loser, I just prefer winning. Surely anybody on this forum would get a little competitive in a motorsporty (real word) environment?
I understand, but my advice would be: win by going faster.Just for the record, I'm not a poor loser, I just prefer winning. Surely anybody on this forum would get a little competitive in a motorsporty (real word) environment?
Haha, I get you OP!
These things are supposed to be about 'fun' and 'bonding' and all that kind of fluffy rubbish.
However, like you, as an ex-bike racer myself...whenever I attend a quad, buggy or go-kart event...I go there to win, right?!
I've found that with most of these types of events, the go-karts, quads or buggies are not the most powerful of things. The fact of the matter is that ANY wasted drivetrain power will punish you.
My success at these events is always from both conserving momentum, and taking the shortest lines possible. Anytime the vehicle goes into any kind of slide, however much fun it is, robs you of valuable momentum.
So the best way to drive is 'slowly' in order to be quick. And whenever you have someone breathing down your neck, to use the vehicle to block them.
If you're in clear track, then use the full width of available track to take a wide line in, apex, and a wide line out, minimising your braking. This is especially important to remember on a go-kart, as they have no rear diff. Hence the tighter the turn you make, the more the rear axle will wind-up, and a slipping wheel will rob your momentum.
Sometimes though it pays, time-wise, to use un-conventional lines around a turn, especially if you have someone right behind. So it is sometimes better to hug the inside of the turn all the way round, eschewing the best line, in order to prevent an overtake.
To sum up, basically, if the vehicle is at any time sliding, wheel-spinning or getting sideways, you are opening yourself up to a slower lap-time. Drifting only works well on full-size racetracks in vehicles with enough power to usefully benefit from doing such a thing.
BEst of luck, and let us know how you get on!
These things are supposed to be about 'fun' and 'bonding' and all that kind of fluffy rubbish.
However, like you, as an ex-bike racer myself...whenever I attend a quad, buggy or go-kart event...I go there to win, right?!
I've found that with most of these types of events, the go-karts, quads or buggies are not the most powerful of things. The fact of the matter is that ANY wasted drivetrain power will punish you.
My success at these events is always from both conserving momentum, and taking the shortest lines possible. Anytime the vehicle goes into any kind of slide, however much fun it is, robs you of valuable momentum.
So the best way to drive is 'slowly' in order to be quick. And whenever you have someone breathing down your neck, to use the vehicle to block them.
If you're in clear track, then use the full width of available track to take a wide line in, apex, and a wide line out, minimising your braking. This is especially important to remember on a go-kart, as they have no rear diff. Hence the tighter the turn you make, the more the rear axle will wind-up, and a slipping wheel will rob your momentum.
Sometimes though it pays, time-wise, to use un-conventional lines around a turn, especially if you have someone right behind. So it is sometimes better to hug the inside of the turn all the way round, eschewing the best line, in order to prevent an overtake.
To sum up, basically, if the vehicle is at any time sliding, wheel-spinning or getting sideways, you are opening yourself up to a slower lap-time. Drifting only works well on full-size racetracks in vehicles with enough power to usefully benefit from doing such a thing.
BEst of luck, and let us know how you get on!
Not done the buggy thing, but in "team building" go kart racing I find the best thing is to hold the brake and floor the loud pedal at the start (they don't like, timing is important), so at max revs on launch. The revs build so slowly otherwise, can get past a few straight away. Then same on bends, brake further than would normaly, but keep revs up.
Might be absolutly no good on your buggy, but only way I can beat the 5 foot racing snakes with a few stones weight advantage...
Might be absolutly no good on your buggy, but only way I can beat the 5 foot racing snakes with a few stones weight advantage...
I will have a weight advantage. I'm only 57kg.
Anybody know what sort of power 600cc gets you? 50 bhp? 60? Its a honda V twin engine if that helps?
Looks like delicate steering inputs while maintaining WOT (without losing too much traction) will be the way to go.
I wont overlook the opportunity for some sideways (or upside down) action though. That would be silly.
Anybody know what sort of power 600cc gets you? 50 bhp? 60? Its a honda V twin engine if that helps?
Looks like delicate steering inputs while maintaining WOT (without losing too much traction) will be the way to go.
I wont overlook the opportunity for some sideways (or upside down) action though. That would be silly.
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