Quote:
Originally Posted by DaleTx
It sounds like you are getting the car set up dialed in. As far as the driving goes... I wonder if there are special driving techniques you can apply when driving a car that is loose (tail happy) versus driving a car that pushes. It seems like you would want to be on the gas sooner after entering the corner to transfer the weight to the back of the car. Hit the brakes hard while in a straight line... then get right back on the throttle going in to the corner. Probably a way different strategy required than when driving the Mustang.
Just throwing out ideas here... Car is looking good, look forward to updates after the next outing  |
I just finished up DIRTFISH school which is ALL about weight transfer in a wild and wicked way -- and after 3 Bondurant schools - and Spring Mountain ZO6 school… I totally get the whole weight transfer thing.
There is absolutely ZERO comparison or any semblance of sameness between the Mustang and the Lotus… and I was getting out of one - and driving the other next session. I'm absolutely convinced NOW - that the tires on the Lotus were just "used up"…. as there was no grip - and there was really no grip when you expected there to be some (i.e., an easy turn in).
The weight split on the Lotus is 63% rear. Trying to transfer weight from the front to the rear - unlike the Mustang - was nearly non existent. There just isn't the torque to lift the nose in order to squat the rear. The car is so friggin light! If I jab the loud pedal on the Mustang - the weight transfer is instant - it's like bang - squat and dig… But with the Lotus - a jab of the pedal just produced speed without the resulting bite you wanted --- if that makes some sense. So then I became "afraid" of trying to use that tactic. I just had to become smoother -- and that was a "newb" transition that was hard to master jumping from one car to the other.
Regardless of how many schools I've been to -- remembering all the things you're supposed to do - and when - well - they aren't "automatic". They become that way later in the day or the second day etc because then you've got some seat time and things just get easier and you make adjustments without even thinking about them.
The Lotus was just flat "greasy" --- I've said that before - and that's the part that sticks out about it the most. Fun - and fast - but dangerously greasy especially with the speed it was able to carry. The video only showed the part following little Tommy - but I was probably turning 2.0's or 2.02's and I thought the car was capable of sub 2's "if only" I could learn to drive it. Now - I think the car is capable of 1.50's with the right grip - and the aero and a few other mods I'm making.
It's a funny little car -- you all know you can FEEL when you have grip and there is a seat of the pants feel that let's you know when you're pushing it or your limits. I'd go down the front straights and begin the turn in and think -- I should have carried more speed thru there -- and then bam - the tail would let loose… and you'd think WTF was that all about. You're then reliving the turn thru the next corner and thinking "I wasn't even asking for any grip thru there - so what's with that!?!?!"
The Mustang can carry some speed down that straight -- and you start your turn -- lift just a little to settle and then get back into it and the rear settles in and it hooks up and you know you're going to carry out on the exit and it feels SO GOOD and so hooked up. The Lotus was like driving on egg shells -- and you didn't want to move the wheel or upset the car in any way - or you just carried yourself into the DIRT on the exit!!
My "connection" tells me this shouldn't be --- and I'm confident in his knowledge and guidance so now I'm dying to get it right and get her back on the track to feel the difference.
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
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