OctoberFast-Not-So-Fast
11-02-2015, 09:40 AM
#3
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I'm sure the DP's (and the wedge when up to speed) had a similar view out their windshield, as did the Cup guys "practicing". A nice mixture of cars in the DE Group with a few outrageous cars to mix it up with. I think gearing on the banking was a factor for many cars there.
A fun safe A-DE event put on by the Zone in conjunction with the Club Race.
A fun safe A-DE event put on by the Zone in conjunction with the Club Race.
11-02-2015, 11:46 AM
#5
Instructor
The OctoberFast DE always has 2 consistent attributes….
The first is a lot of drivers that come to drive Daytona (typically a bucket list item) that have never been there before nor have they driven on banking, let alone banking like Daytona has. Add in a wide mix of car performance compounded by a loooooong bit of wide open throttle and a single run group (therefore not easy to have an instructor jump in to coach you like typically DEs) and it surely can be a bottle neck at times for sure…
The second is a few drivers almost always run out of talent and do some significant damage to their cars…
The first is a lot of drivers that come to drive Daytona (typically a bucket list item) that have never been there before nor have they driven on banking, let alone banking like Daytona has. Add in a wide mix of car performance compounded by a loooooong bit of wide open throttle and a single run group (therefore not easy to have an instructor jump in to coach you like typically DEs) and it surely can be a bottle neck at times for sure…
The second is a few drivers almost always run out of talent and do some significant damage to their cars…
11-02-2015, 12:15 PM
#6
I gotta agree that the absence of stratified DE's groups is a problem here, and would be a compelling variable to consider when fusing DE and Club racing events.
One of the reasons that the MORPCA at Indy was such a success is that the number of DE run groups was sufficient to accommodate the broad driving-skill ranges.
(Kevin, I hope that the temptation to turn Indy into a combined Club race event will instead be translated into creating another (separate!) club race date in addition to the future recurring DEs.)
OP: you're rather fast. Concur w the suggestion that you go racing.
11-02-2015, 02:00 PM
#7
The Penguin King
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11-02-2015, 02:32 PM
#8
Perfect Angel
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Originally Posted by mglobe
Congratulations on winning your DE.
11-02-2015, 03:25 PM
#9
It's my understanding that admission to this DE event was limited to "advanced solo drivers" or instructors, essentially, the best DE drivers out there. It was open passing with a point-by anticipated anywhere. I'm not see that in this video.
I don't know about you, but there's nothing more irritating that having to slam on brakes at an apex when an anticipated point-by is not given. Breaks momentum, breaks concentration, is downright dangerous even.
I don't know about you, but there's nothing more irritating that having to slam on brakes at an apex when an anticipated point-by is not given. Breaks momentum, breaks concentration, is downright dangerous even.
11-02-2015, 04:21 PM
#10
Instructor
It's my understanding that admission to this DE event was limited to "advanced solo drivers" or instructors, essentially, the best DE drivers out there. It was open passing with a point-by anticipated anywhere. I'm not see that in this video.
I don't know about you, but there's nothing more irritating that having to slam on brakes at an apex when an anticipated point-by is not given. Breaks momentum, breaks concentration, is downright dangerous even.
I don't know about you, but there's nothing more irritating that having to slam on brakes at an apex when an anticipated point-by is not given. Breaks momentum, breaks concentration, is downright dangerous even.
It just means that the driver has the experience required to register. There are plenty of instructors that are fantastic at working with instructed drivers but are not capable as setting the fastest lap of the day, nor are they interested in doing such.
It is an interesting perspective that carrying so much speed that a driver could be downright dangerous if they don’t get a point by. I think your fellow drivers which you are sharing the track with anticipate that YOU as a driver WILL safely and appropriately manage YOUR speed…
But there is racing for not having to wait for a point-by, but then again, it is racing so that often breaks momentum and concentration when the driver in front of you doesn’t just pull offline to let you by
11-03-2015, 10:41 AM
#11
...It is an interesting perspective that carrying so much speed that a driver could be downright dangerous if they don’t get a point by. I think your fellow drivers which you are sharing the track with anticipate that YOU as a driver WILL safely and appropriately manage YOUR speed…
As instructors we try to teach safety foremost with allowance for expectations on both sides.
DE = Driver Education.
11-03-2015, 02:43 PM
#12
Despite the great disparity in speed amongst the driver group, I still found this years HPDE @ Daytona to be an AWESOME experience. Perfect weather. Tons of track time. Perfect number of cars on track. Some of the slow cars were having PSM issues from the ROVAL. Some of the drivers had poor awareness and were not ready for expanded passing. Daytona is an INTIMIDATING track. Especially in a street car with less than full safety protection. Right rear tires were blowing up everywhere. I don't blame drivers for being slow and cautious.
Jim did a great job organizing the event. He had discussions with the offenders and as the weekend progressed, the point by's improved.
2 DE run groups works very well at Club Races that have higher DE turnout. 2 groups allows High/Low HP cars to be segregated. This still doesn't alleviate slow pointbys and traffic.
I was 5 seconds a lap faster on the final session when most all the DE traffic had cleared. Would never have guessed the other cars were slowing me down that much. Daytona has very high closing speeds. This intimidates slower, less experienced drivers.
As your competence, confidence and speed increases, you have to decide whether HPDE is the right place for you. DE is about having fun in a safety focused environment. It has nothing to do with laptimes, or how many people you pass. When I get frustrated at DE traffic I try to remind myself that slow laps are still 1000x more fun than being at work.
On the plane ride home I had time to reflect on my driving goals for 2016. I came up with 2 options. Drive a slower car in Advanced HPDE or start club racing. For me, the decision was easy...time to go racing.
Jim did a great job organizing the event. He had discussions with the offenders and as the weekend progressed, the point by's improved.
2 DE run groups works very well at Club Races that have higher DE turnout. 2 groups allows High/Low HP cars to be segregated. This still doesn't alleviate slow pointbys and traffic.
I was 5 seconds a lap faster on the final session when most all the DE traffic had cleared. Would never have guessed the other cars were slowing me down that much. Daytona has very high closing speeds. This intimidates slower, less experienced drivers.
As your competence, confidence and speed increases, you have to decide whether HPDE is the right place for you. DE is about having fun in a safety focused environment. It has nothing to do with laptimes, or how many people you pass. When I get frustrated at DE traffic I try to remind myself that slow laps are still 1000x more fun than being at work.
On the plane ride home I had time to reflect on my driving goals for 2016. I came up with 2 options. Drive a slower car in Advanced HPDE or start club racing. For me, the decision was easy...time to go racing.
11-04-2015, 07:56 PM
#15
Rennlist Member
Here's a video of the victory lap at the 2014 runoff at Summit Point. Started on pole and finished first overall. PCA changed the rules this year which forced me to buy a faster car (cup).
The small bore championship went to Streak in his Spec Boxster who passed 25 cars in one session to clinch his spot in history at the last DE of the season at Summit point.
http://www.vimeo.com/110133286
Last edited by good hands; 11-04-2015 at 09:38 PM.