Pure Concentration

"Desu-San-Desu" (Desu-San-Desu) 01/21/2016 at 23:52 • Filed to: None

5

15

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Desu-San-Desu 01/22/2016 at 00:23

1

That was intense. Driving never looked so difficult. Do you know anything about that clip?

Richtofen, Baron von Pickup > Desu-San-Desu 01/22/2016 at 02:48

2

It’s as though the driver was on the verge of losing control of the car the entire time, but was talented enough to make that seem like an illusion.

SamuraiJake > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/22/2016 at 05:28

0

Intense is correct.

It never ceases to amaze me how stupid fans of these types of races are. It’s like they have a deathwish.

The driving is as amazing as the car is. I have no doubt whatsoever that he is driving that car AT OR VERY NEAR to it’s absolute limits.

Nothing short of damn amazing.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > SamuraiJake 01/22/2016 at 07:42

1

I can’t get over how sideways he is and how frequently. Constantly.

I’d like to know how fast he’s going when he’s in overdrive at top revs.

RacinBob > Desu-San-Desu 01/22/2016 at 08:28

0

Whatever it is must have a really shortwheelbase and small rear tires. Or lots of rear tow out. Not my cup of tea......

ttyymmnn > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup 01/22/2016 at 08:51

1

Welcome to the Edge.

ttyymmnn > Desu-San-Desu 01/22/2016 at 08:53

0

Concentration indeed. I found my own mind wandering while I was watching that, I can’t imagine what would happen if the driver’s mind wandered a bit.

A few years ago, I was teaching a trumpet lesson and we were talking about concentration. I used the analogy of Michael Schumacher, and how he could go an entire race, flat out, and never put a foot wrong. The man’s mind was supremely trained. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been performing a long symphony and start wondering if I remembered to put the cat out.

yitznewton > Desu-San-Desu 01/22/2016 at 10:05

0

That slide at 2:38 though! Gorgeous.

Desu-San-Desu > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup 01/22/2016 at 12:24

1

There’s also the fact the tires overheated. ;-)

Desu-San-Desu > RacinBob 01/22/2016 at 12:27

0

Desu-San-Desu > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/22/2016 at 12:33

0

Inaki Alberdi in a classic Ford Escort Cosworth. They chose the wrong tire compound at the start of the stage and didn’t realize how hot the tarmac had gotten, so the tires got very overheated and greasy after only a minute or two.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Desu-San-Desu 01/22/2016 at 15:44

0

I think that’s the most intense driving video I’ve ever watched. Causes me to have great respect.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Desu-San-Desu 01/23/2016 at 19:50

0

Do you know enough to answer any of these questions for me?

What is the transmission setup and type?

Is the car all-wheel drive?

How much horsepower does the engine make?

When he shifts into the top gear, I cannot discern any drop in engine RPMs by listening. Why is that?

When he’s in the top gear at redline on one stretch, how fast is he going?

Desu-San-Desu > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/23/2016 at 21:14

1

I can’t answer all, but I can answer most:

1) The transmission is a dogbox straight-shift and is the kind of transmission most commonly used in rally and most motorsport above amateur level. With this type of transmission, you push forward on the gear lever to downshift and pull back to upshift. The shifts are much faster and more precise, but it is extremely loud and very difficult to use at low speeds and low RPM’s.

2) No. He is racing a classic 1974-1981 European-spec Ford Escort MK2, which was a very lightweight rear-wheel-drive coupe. They are every agile but also infamous for being extremely tail-happy. They are considered extremely challenging but immensely rewarding for those drivers skilled enough to keep them under control.

3) Not a ton. Even the Cosworth-tuned rally specials used by top-tier teams were only running a 1.8L (225hp) or 2.0L (250hp) naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine. Re-tuned versions of these engines for modern rally events can make upwards of 270hp. While not much by today’s standard, in a car weighing less than 2,500lbs with the driver and safety gear included, it resulted in a very respectable power-to-weight ratio.

4) The dogbox transmission he is using does not feature an overdrive gear, so his final gear is probably on a 1:1 ratio with his engine RPM. Also, since he doesn’t have to press the clutch pedal to drop the revs like he would with a synchromesh transmission, he doesn’t lose enough RPM’s between full-throttle shifts to make an audible difference in engine note.

5) I do not know his exact top speed, but if he is using the factory engine (which it sounds like he is), then his top speed is most likely no more than 120mph- probably closer to 110mph.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Desu-San-Desu 01/23/2016 at 21:36

0

Wow. Couldn’t have asked for more. Thank you!