Thanks for the advice Tom. But you read the "edited" version of my
message. Hemipower cut out the most relevant part of that point. Namely, I
know drive time is important, and I get as much as humanly possible. My
actual question is about downforce, not autoXing.
Jay W
"Tom \"Slick\" North" wrote:
> Jason,
>
> Research and seat time are the two most important ways to get faster...
>
> I used to autocross, myself. Learning how to read the car and tell what
> it is doing in respect to handling are important when trying to make the
> vehicle handle better. That takes research and seat time.
>
> I will tell you one of my methods for autocrossing success:
>
> First run (Technique Run)- Drive it as smoothly as possible, making sure
> to take the turns at the correct apexes. (this should be your slowest
> run)
>
> Second run (Speed Run)- now that you know how you want to take the
> course, run this one as fast as possible, pushing the vehicle to it's
> limits. (Balls to the wall!)
>
> Third run (Knowledge Run)- Now, put together what you learned in the
> first run and second run and drive as fast as you can while keeping it
> smooth and hitting all the apexes.
>
> This method worked very well for me... Placed 2nd in my very first
> divisional, and got 4 1st place finishes in regionals.
>
> Other important little things:
>
> The smoother you are, the faster you are... scrubbing off speed is
> bad...
>
> The less you have to turn the steering wheel the better... (goes back to
> the same reason as smoothness)
>
> Later,
> Tom "Slick"
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
> [mailto:owner-dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net] On Behalf Of
> Hemipower@aol.com
> Sent: Monday, March 18, 2002 2:42 PM
> To: aol@dakota-truck.net
> Subject: Re: DML: Is this a dumb idea?
>
> In a message dated 3/8/02 5:19:02 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> jason.p.woodruff@boeing.com writes:
>
> > Why is "Research and seat time" the only answer you ever get from an
> autoXer
> > when you say you want to go faster?
> >
>
> Well, son, experience is the first thing that comes to mind at the
> moment. I would say that "the" first thing you'll ever hear a driver
> from
> *any* racing discipline is, "get more seat time". It just seems to make
> sense that more practice of anything will allow you to perform anything
> much more efficiently.
> For Example, what do you personally do well?
> If someone came to you and said that they tried to do
> whatever it is that you do well, but for some reason
> didn't do it as well as you. What is the first thing
> *you* would say?
>
> BTW
> As far as your SWA approximation, did you by any
> chance take in account spring rates, moment and deflection?
>
> What formula did you use to come up with the 40lbs of
> downward force with your tailgate at X angle?
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