10-29-2018, 09:40 AM
Hi Pete
I'm not one of the fastest drivers, especially with this car. However, the way you describe the car as being on soap might be a clue to the difference in speed. I know that with certain car/corner combinations, there is a way of entering and exiting corners that is far quicker, but requires very precise feel as to what the car is doing - and is about to do!
*caveat here: I'm open to being corrected on any of what I'm about to say, I'm no expert!*
The first key is the transfer from coming off the brakes, whilst turning in (trail-braking)... if done correctly and with absolute millisecond precision, this can cause the car to slightly 'spin around' towards the apex... this slight drift/spin can be help on approach to apex in such a way as to allow earlier straightening of the car ready for the exit of the turn, and therefore earlier application of the throttle. The issue here is of course that if you get it slightly wrong, you'll either spin around, or go sliding way off the edge of the track.
The reason I believe when done correctly this is where you might be losing time, is that the above way of approaching corners is different to: "brake, turn-in, apply throttle". With the latter approach, it simply isn't possible for the car to feel so "alive", so therefore might feel "soapy".
When a corner is hit perfectly, the tyres are at the edge of adhesion through all phases of the corner. This is where the real skill of some drivers comes in, they know how to control this 'almost-out-of-control' sensation through not just one corner, but the entire lap.
I'm interested to know if that made any sense, or if anyone can correct me where I'm wrong!
I'm not one of the fastest drivers, especially with this car. However, the way you describe the car as being on soap might be a clue to the difference in speed. I know that with certain car/corner combinations, there is a way of entering and exiting corners that is far quicker, but requires very precise feel as to what the car is doing - and is about to do!
*caveat here: I'm open to being corrected on any of what I'm about to say, I'm no expert!*
The first key is the transfer from coming off the brakes, whilst turning in (trail-braking)... if done correctly and with absolute millisecond precision, this can cause the car to slightly 'spin around' towards the apex... this slight drift/spin can be help on approach to apex in such a way as to allow earlier straightening of the car ready for the exit of the turn, and therefore earlier application of the throttle. The issue here is of course that if you get it slightly wrong, you'll either spin around, or go sliding way off the edge of the track.
The reason I believe when done correctly this is where you might be losing time, is that the above way of approaching corners is different to: "brake, turn-in, apply throttle". With the latter approach, it simply isn't possible for the car to feel so "alive", so therefore might feel "soapy".
When a corner is hit perfectly, the tyres are at the edge of adhesion through all phases of the corner. This is where the real skill of some drivers comes in, they know how to control this 'almost-out-of-control' sensation through not just one corner, but the entire lap.
I'm interested to know if that made any sense, or if anyone can correct me where I'm wrong!