racing question for everyone

[Brian Skeoch]

which would YOU feel more comfortable racing ? which is more in your comfort zone. would you feel more comfortable driving at Indy at 230 MPH lap after lap ? Knowing exactly where you need to place the car at each turn ?

or

would you feel more comfortable say driving a F 1 car at slower speeds but at a road race ?

I would feel more comfortable doing 230 lap after lap than I would doing 160 on a track with 15 or so turns.

I wouldnt feel comfortable doing 230 mph lap after lap with 32 other cars on the track at the same time, but I would be in my comfort zone doing 230 lap after lap than I would doing 160 with 14 turns and 100 shift changes per lap.

I would rather stick it in 5th and cruise at 230 for 200 laps than I would at say Long Beach or Spa.

what about you ?

Brian

[4re308]

I love doing track days at my own leisure. I do like going fast, but 230! WOW that takes balls that clank! :) Have you been that fast Brian?

[Brian Skeoch]

I have been 165 mph but with multiple turns it makes me nervous because you have 15 chances to make mistakes.

at 230 and in 5th or 6th gear you just have to put the nose of the car in the same spot 4 times at Indy. each turn is a bit different but not too much.

I would not like having 32 other cars on the track with me, but I would be able to do 200 laps at 230 mph no problem.

I would much rather do that than do 160 with 15 turns.

[Autocross7]

Have'n done so, I actually prefer the road course. I got to drive an old Lotus single seater around Road Atlanta a while back (and a number of other cars on other road courses)... loved it. I found that I actually start to not pay attention to driving on the round track. Ran a 911 at Taledega for a number of laps and it just sort of dronned on. It was a blast... do not get me wrong here... but I prefer the road courses.


Cameron

[Brian Skeoch]

cool. road tracks at high speed would scare the day lights out of me, but 230 at Indy wouldnt bother me at all.

[Kimbers]

It would have to be proper race tracks. I've raced at some in the past, Snetterton, Brands, Silverstone and my nemisis Cadwell Park (It won!!).

Also raced at some good "proper" Cart race tracks, Buckmore Park, Rye House and the infamous LeMans.

I have to say it's soooo much more of a challenge getting 15-25 corners apexed, acceleration zones right and gearing sorted than your "Ovals". I wouldn't mind a go on an Oval but I really don't think you can beat real race tracks for driver involvement and enjoyment.

(As you can tell we just don't understand your whole "Go round and round in a circle" kinda racing!! Very strange;))

[Brian Skeoch]

yeah, I understand.

[Autocross7]

A while back I was headed to the noth country to see some family up there and stopped off in Watkins Glenn, NY. It is worth the side trip or road trip if you have the time to visit this area as it is one of the great hallowed halls of motorsports. Anyway, the old course is properly marked by little road side signs, so you can ride the same course that all those great race drives ran years past. Great drive... you start thinking about how the drivers sat up and out of the car, those narrow tires, and total lack of anything that keeps you from spinning off into the trees.

Def. a different era.

Cameron

[Martin]

I would have to say I too would prefer the road course. Hey at least when you are going slower than...lets say 230MPH :eek: there is that much less chance to screw up and fly off into the stands.

[WayneB]

Never raced on a superspeedway before, but I wouldnt mind giving it a shot.

Done short ovals though(Hot Rods in UK and Late Model Sportsmans in Canada), there is usually alot going on but you do get a little rest as you go down the straights.

With the cars set up for left turn only , the stagger, camber and caster (larger diameter tyres on the R/H side of the car, Negative camber on the right and positive on the left) makes the car constantly want to turn to the left, so on the straights you actually input some R/H lock to keep the car straight. Entering the turn , you loosen your grip on the wheel and the car steers itself to some degree into the turn.

I must say though that I prefer road racing, turning both ways, the off camber corners, elevation changes ,gear changes, heel/toe braking all add a dimension to me that the oval stuff lacks IMO.

As a spectator though I find Oval track racing is definately better to watch, I have spectated at Indianapolis Motor Speedway a few times, and definately liked the watching the 500 better than the F1 races there.