kevlar corolla on autosport driving: some pointers

[dr.occa]

tom, wish you were down here in houston giving evolution classes. would love to see you in action first hand.

[kevlar corolla]

Ha ha,thanks but don't give me too much credit-I've been one of the "fast guys" up here in my area for a long time but not "the" fast guy.My advantage sometimes is just experience,I'd driven boat loads of different cars in many different forms of motorsports so that helps alot.Instructed a little bit for autox and drift schools,I do like that part alot actually(the instruction part).
I used to organise a series here that used autox rules on an unused go kart track,7 events or so a year for 3 years and I held the outright lap record for all 3 years but after every event we did fun runs and at least 10 guys per event thru me their keys for a lap,proud to say that I never once failed to beat the car owners time in that 1 run. :D
I actually set the fastest rwd lap record at the time during a fun run in a new dakota R/T automatic,I thought that was pretty funny but several mustang,camaro and turbo 944 guys didn't think so.

Enough of me,more v8 corolla vids!.

[joel26]

Ha ha,thanks but don't give me too much credit-I've been one of the "fast guys" up here in my area for a long time but not "the" fast guy.My advantage sometimes is just experience,I'd driven boat loads of different cars in many different forms of motorsports so that helps alot.Instructed a little bit for autox and drift schools,I do like that part alot actually(the instruction part).
I used to organise a series here that used autox rules on an unused go kart track,7 events or so a year for 3 years and I held the outright lap record for all 3 years but after every event we did fun runs and at least 10 guys per event thru me their keys for a lap,proud to say that I never once failed to beat the car owners time in that 1 run. :D
I actually set the fastest rwd lap record at the time during a fun run in a new dakota R/T automatic,I thought that was pretty funny but several mustang,camaro and turbo 944 guys didn't think so.

Enough of me,more v8 corolla vids!.

Well like Jonas said wouldn't mind some pointer and some lessons... Mr kevlar.

[kevlar corolla]

Well like Jonas said wouldn't mind some pointer and some lessons... Mr kevlar. [/quote]


Hmm,I smell a business here. :D Internet instruction,they instruct everything else online so....

Seriously though,if you have onboard(looking over your shoulder preferably) and/or external video I can watch and look for things I can try and help.Its hard to tell remotely if the car is on the edge or not compared to a ride along but its the lines taken that 1st dictate potencial speed anyways.
Car feel is an instinctive thing,hard to teach that one.Biggest pieces of advice is to always drive relaxed(not as easy as it sounds)with a nice easy grip on the wheel(clenched fists can't feel anything the wheel is trying to tell you)and always always look ahead and where you want to go(you will feel like your going slower,as opposed to looking down the hood and being surprised by the brake zone,corner other car etc).Work every control smoothly,you can be quick but those inputs must be smooth and not jerky.
...

[dr.occa]

i like what tom has to say especially:

...Biggest pieces of advice is to always drive relaxed(not as easy as it sounds)with a nice easy grip on the wheel(clenched fists can't feel anything the wheel is trying to tell you)and always always look ahead and where you want to go(you will feel like your going slower,as opposed to looking down the hood and being surprised by the brake zone,corner other car etc).Work every control smoothly,you can be quick but those inputs must be smooth and not jerky...

[joel26]

will do........

[kevlar corolla]

Cool.

On the hand train of thought I'll add about hand placement,I've watched loads of vids(and as a passenger)where the driver seems to think its a rule that the hands stay at 3 and 9 o'clock....no matter what.This is mostly an autox thing but slow hairpins can pose the same problem on a road course,if the wheel needs to be turned far enough your thumbs are jammed in the spokes and your forearms are crisscrossed and locked together how the hell can you turn more or do much fine tuning?
What I do is to start the turn with the outer hand(right hand in a left corner)low on the wheel so when close to max steering angle for that turn is acheived the outer hand ends up between 10 and 11 o'clock,inner hand usually less than 180 degrees apart(as preached)and at the bottom of the wheel.Some do it instinctively,others not so much.

Does that make sense?.

[dr.occa]

Cool.

On the hand train of thought I'll add about hand placement,I've watched loads of vids(and as a passenger)where the driver seems to think its a rule that the hands stay at 3 and 9 o'clock....no matter what.This is mostly an autox thing but slow hairpins can pose the same problem on a road course,if the wheel needs to be turned far enough your thumbs are jammed in the spokes and your forearms are crisscrossed and locked together how the hell can you turn more or do much fine tuning?
What I do is to start the turn with the outer hand(right hand in a left corner)low on the wheel so when close to max steering angle for that turn is acheived the outer hand ends up between 10 and 11 o'clock,inner hand usually less than 180 degrees apart(as preached)and at the bottom of the wheel.Some do it instinctively,others not so much.

Does that make sense?.

glad to know someone else drives the way it makes best sense.

we need quick snippet vidz for the auditory and visual learners tom :D

[kevlar corolla]

Drifter guys usually have a better idea on how to place their hands due to the release/catch and fine tune the angle style.

Hopefully I can get the new car driving in about 6 weeks,I'll get some go pro footage-good chance I'll get some what not to do examples.

[joel26]

yes mr kevlar i tend to learn more by watching and doing than by reading.. so the vid would be greatly appreciated...

[kevlar corolla]

yes mr kevlar i tend to learn more by watching and doing than by reading.. so the vid would be greatly appreciated...

I agree completely,hell my sons grade 3 homework has me reading things twice to grasp what they are asking.

I'll do my best to get a vid of me screwing something up but I gotta admit this build is really wearing me down,just came in from another 3 hour session in the garage.Doesn't sound like much until you add up the working for a living hours and the # of hours spent per weekend in the shop and online tying to find a solution to a problem etc etc.

Bitch session over,must shower and sleep.

[joel26]

yes mr kevlar i tend to learn more by watching and doing than by reading.. so the vid would be greatly appreciated...

I agree completely,hell my sons grade 3 homework has me reading things twice to grasp what they are asking.

I'll do my best to get a vid of me screwing something up but I gotta admit this build is really wearing me down,just came in from another 3 hour session in the garage.Doesn't sound like much until you add up the working for a living hours and the # of hours spent per weekend in the shop and online tying to find a solution to a problem etc etc.

Bitch session over,must shower and sleep.

No worries, when ever u have time... to do it.

[kevlar corolla]

I prepped the geo ice racer for solo duty this week,see if I can get an over the shoulder gopro.Might be very embarrassing for me though,super slow steering ratio and skinny ass wheel means I'm likely look like some 1st time rookie.

[a.k.a.vene]

dude im liking this kevlar corolla dude! hey wats ur name?i cant wait 4 the vid!i feel like im talking to jonas #2.didnt know jonas had a clone

[kevlar corolla]

dude im liking this kevlar corolla dude! hey wats ur name?i cant wait 4 the vid!i feel like im talking to jonas #2.didnt know jonas had a clone

Thanks,names Tom.

This Jonas guy most be an amazing fellow.