"texas-geek" (texas-geek)
06/16/2015 at 11:07 • Filed to: None
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"texas-geek" (texas-geek)
06/16/2015 at 11:07 • Filed to: None | 0
| 14 |
The guy driving this C7Z06 is a complete nincompoop. For example #1, the above image shows him in a corner, wheel cranked, tailgating the car in front, with the throttle at 100% in a 650HP car.
If you watch the entire 22 minute video below you’ll see this behavior is consistent throughout. In short, he’s a terrible driver on track, but frankly that’s not the issue. I mean, hey, the first time I went on track I was pretty bad too (...and I’m still average, at best). There are, however, many other issues with this video:
The instructor goes along with some very dangerous driving by an inexperienced driver (driver evidently on his 2nd 1/2 day of track time ever per the video description)
The driving event has open passing in all areas of the track with inexperienced drivers at the wheel. Who does this? Maybe the organizers had him in a beginner group and moved him up due to his car and raw speed?
The driver (I’m assuming) uploads this video to the youtubes and brags about his Z06 beating a GT3, apparently driven by a “pro” driver (doesn’t look like it to my eyes)...but the Z06 is way up on HP vs. the GT3. Maybe he could brag if he was passing 918’s...
The driver is using using 10/2 positions and hand-over-hand steering on track, not push/pull steering to maximize control.
Trottle control seems to be binary on/off.
I don’t mean to come down too hard on this driver here, after all it is VERY hard learning to drive properly in a high HP car. I’m learning in a E90M3 and that’s almost too much car.
I’m only picking on him because he apparently loaded this onto the internet to show how awesome he / his car did at the track, but I really don’t think he knows any better. In my opinion the blame here resides with the event organizers and perhaps the instructor for going along with this drivers antics for 22+ minutes and not pulling him off for a lesson on track techniques at the very least, or a black flag more appropriately.
OK, back to work for me...what other examples / issues can you find, or am I all wrong on this thing? It sure would scare me to share a track with this guy!
(PS - I read somewhere that you should put FIERY DEATH in all caps in article titles whenever possible, so apologies that there is no fiery death here...but I’m thankful no GT3s or Z06s were bent in the making of this video, in addition to no deaths!)
Needmoargarage
> texas-geek
06/16/2015 at 11:13 |
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Just going to leave this here...
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/how-i-witnesse…
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texas-geek
> Needmoargarage
06/16/2015 at 11:17 |
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Yeah, it’s amazing this didn’t end the same way, mixed in with some GT3 metal as well.
scoob
> texas-geek
06/16/2015 at 11:18 |
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I’ve never driven any fast car or been on any track: is it normal for instructors to instruct with hand movements? It doesn’t look helpful at all. Or maybe he’s saying stuff and it’s hard to hear?
Also his sudden lifts and accelerations make me cringe, and I’ve only learned that the hard way from racing games.
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Needmoargarage
> texas-geek
06/16/2015 at 11:19 |
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I can’t stand new drivers that post videos like this. They don’t realize how stupid they look to anyone with track experience.
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> texas-geek
06/16/2015 at 11:31 |
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E90 M3 FTW!
Shankems
> texas-geek
06/16/2015 at 11:37 |
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Hold up a second! I disagree with the mid corner 100% throttle mashing...that isn’t appropriate 99% of the time. But we have to remember that the newer GM performance vehicles have PTM. From what I remember, Randy Pobst said the best way to use it is EXACTLY this method. Get to the apex and 100% throttle out. PTM will work with the traction control to perfectly meter power unto the rear wheels and you will exit the corner faster than a pro driver.
We can’t fault a person for using the performance features of a car as intended right?
yamahog
> texas-geek
06/16/2015 at 12:08 |
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Wow. How does all that hubris fit in one little two-seater?
TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma
> texas-geek
06/16/2015 at 12:46 |
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I like how you can literally see the instructor give the driver a line, the driver completely ignores it, and the instructor rolls his eyes. My favorite is the first time the dude punches it mid-turn and looks over to see if his instructor is impressed.
Battery Tender Unnecessary
> texas-geek
06/16/2015 at 12:54 |
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There’s a portion of the “Pro”-level (you have to complete 3 days at the Beginner and Intermediate courses) AMG driving academy where they take you into a classroom after some lead-follow laps, followed by a few “open laps” and go over your telemetry. They examine throttle position, braking force, steering angle, hand position, etc. I’ve got to give it to those guys, I’d be pulling my hair out seeing some of the stuff people do. People that should know better by that point. They split you into groups of two for the lead-follow and you can sit out if you want instead of riding shotgun. I only rode with my co-driver at Road Atlanta once in the SLS they provided. Coming over turn 11 when the car goes light, he kept the throttle mashed and the Stability control had a conniption...every...time. And he insisted on using Sport+ which making throttle response much more aggressive, instead of Comfort or Sport like they told us to use. I politely excused myself from riding with him the rest of the day. Which was smart, because he was later asked to leave when he almost shunted the SLS into the wall at turn 12 later that day. He was a salesman for a Mercedes dealership that had paid for all of their staff to attend.
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texas-geek
> Shankems
06/16/2015 at 13:48 |
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Shankems, you have a good point, but I’m guessing (having never driven a Z06) that there’s a difference between rolling on throttle earlier in the corner, building to 100% (which is what I remember Pobst saying), vs stabbing the throttle which is what the video seems to show here.
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texas-geek
> scoob
06/16/2015 at 13:54 |
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Not in my experience. My instructors have had voice units that went between our helmets, or if I’m out for a casual run with some more experienced friends they’ll just yell suggestions...the hand signals seem difficult to follow when you are driving at track speeds.
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Shankems
> texas-geek
06/16/2015 at 14:51 |
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I just looked up the video I remember seeing a long while back on PTM. PTM allowed Milner to round the corner faster than he was able to with it off. The strategy as described in the video is “mash the gas and trust in PTM.” I can only imagine PTM has gotten better in the intervening years.
I think in this scenario it would be important that the student realize how much the computer is doing for him. Lest he get brave and try that with it off.
aquila121
> texas-geek
06/16/2015 at 17:20 |
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The other thing that worries me is I never saw any point-by motions from the cars being passed (I’ll admit I can’t stand to watch all 22 minutes of this asshat-ery). Much of what the Corvette driver is doing is far too aggressive, to be sure—but in addition to the open passing, no point-by? I’m baffled that no one moved into a collision because they didn’t see this guy diving into braking zones all over them. I would not feel safe at this event, given how it appears to be organized, regardless of this specific driver’s presence or absence.
The instructor doesn’t seem to be offering much in the way of feedback except car placement coming into corners—he seems to be talking about trying to get this driver on a line, and completely ignoring any etiquette or encouragement of good habits. I suspect he’s gotten infected by the red mist, as well.
In short, I want this guy immediately kicked out of any further track days where he tries this shit. He should then be publicly shamed like another Porsche 911 driver who let go of the wheel mid-corner to grab the A-pillar. I’m all for learning the limits of your car on a track, but know your limits and follow the fucking rules. If he does any of this stuff without the computers on, someone will get hurt.
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texas-geek
> aquila121
06/16/2015 at 18:47 |
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Another good point Aquila!