JustRacing Seminar Archives Forum

Winning the Mental Game of Racing

Mon, 12 May 2008 18:48:19 GMT

Author: thementalcoach

Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 6:48 pm

What is the mental game? Is it important in racing? What holds people back from doing their best in competition? What can you do about it?

Learn the answers to these questions and more in the seminar: Winning the Mental Game: How to Perform Better Under Pressure on the Track.

This is available as a free one-hour presentation to your team or group or a three-hour workshop fundraiser for your organization. Call or email for details.

Larry Webster - Car and Driver Magazine

Thu, 09 Mar 2006 04:47:46 GMT

Author: justracing

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 4:47 am

JustRacing.com is proud to welcome Car and Driver Technical Director Larry Webster to the JustRacing Seminar Series!

justracing: Welcome Larry!
justracing: Let's give people a few more minutes to show up before we get started ...
justracing: Feel free to start submitting questions using the "Submit a question" link below the chat window.
justracing: Thanks for joining us here at JustRacing.com. Today we welcome Car and Driver Magazine Technical Director Larry Webster to the Seminar Series.
justracing: Ok, Larry, let's get started! Welcome and thanks for joining us today!
larryw: Great to be here, thanks for having me
justracing: You've got in interesting insight into the car industry that few people have. It really seems like we're in the midst of a Golden Age for enthusiast cars right now. From your perspective, is this going to continue for a while or are we near the tail end of it?
larryw: Oh yeah it's a great time with so many 500-hp cars. It'll continue but
larryw: what's sad is that the $30k sportscar segment is real thin
larryw: There's the Mustang, 350z and RX-8, but not much else
larryw: However, there's hope. THere will be a 300 hp version of the new dodge caliber
larryw: and the turbo mazdaspeed 3
justracing: What about things like the WRX STi and the Evo?
justracing: Flukes?
larryw: well, no not flukes, but those cars are polished econoboxes not genuine sports
larryw: cars. Don't get me wrong, they're fast and fun, but not the best things to look at
justracing: That's a good point.
justracing: You've been heard to say that there's no reason to spend more than $30K on a car. Can you elaborate a little bit on that comment?
larryw: Well, you can get an incredible amount of refinement and performance at under 30
larryw: look at the Mustang, the outgoing Neon SRT4. A freaking Honda Accord V6
larryw: has 240 hp!
larryw: The new Fit is a terrific little car. It's also just $15K
justracing: JEM asks: Speaking of Golden Era fun tech, do you have an opinion on the Audi DSG? Seems to be wonderful clever engineering, I haven't had a chance to try one, but I know one US car-company engineer who felt it was a little slow-and-sloppy in operation. Was he just having a bad day?
larryw: Oh you're absolutely right, the DSG is terrific. I can't imagine who would say
larryw: it's sloppy. Those are the future and when Audi's exclusive deal runs out in a
larryw: year or two, expect to see those on eveything. i drove an M5
larryw: tonight with the SMG. It's an awful system for around-town driving
justracing: I've experienced the same thing with BMW's SMG and Ferrari's F1 transmission. I'm curious to try the DSG.
justracing: I didn't realize that Audi had an exclusive. Does that explain Porsche's delay?
larryw: Yeah, no head bobbing with DSG, seamless downshifts
larryw: I don't know the particulars of the Audi deal, but from I've been told
larryw: if anyone else wanted to use DSG the cost was like $3k per car.
larryw: I don't know why Porsche delayed. What's $3k on a Porsche?
justracing: There is that.
larryw: I think though, that if you have to have an automatic and you can't get
larryw: DSG, the slushbox like in the Porsches is the way to go
justracing: M3ichael asks: What is your take on the M3 in comparison to other cars per dollar performance wise? What kind of projects are you currently working on? What series are you racing in?
justracing: How's that for some questions?
larryw: THe M3 is old hat and the new V-8 model should fix that. Right now, for the money
larryw: you'd be a fool not to get a Vette. It'll clobber any M3.
larryw: We're doing the usual car tests and stuff. We've got a big sportscar
larryw: test that will include what I think will be a new performance testing benchmark
larryw: you understand, though that I can't divulge details as that story will be later in the year
larryw: This year I'm racing in that new Pro Spec MIata series. I can't wait
larryw: BTW we're getting an M roadster next week and in a month or two the really
larryw: cool M Coupe arrive. I love the way that one looks
justracing: JEM asks: $30K data point: what do you think of the turbo Subaru Legacy? I just drove one today for the first time, thought it worked really well and had some of the nicest auto-transmission programming I've driven
larryw: That's interesting becasue the manul and that car is stiff and reluctant so I've
larryw: been clammering to get an auto. It's a great car, but have you driven the new
larryw: Jetta GLI? It's better imo
justracing: JEM asks: Do pro car writers salivate as much over the Z06 as (at least some of) the rest of us?
larryw: Oh yeah, absolutely. In the office, everyone makes fun of me for being the
larryw: vette guy becasue every time we compare some overpriced $150k sportscars
larryw: I want to put a Z06 in there...
justracing: Let's go back to the racing topic for a moment.
justracing: Your experience at the recent 25 Hours of Thunderhill endurance race with the Honda R&D team was a real heartbreaker, particularly after your original ride in that amazing Banks Duramax Diesel truck fell through when they withdrew from the event. Can you talk a little bit about what it was like to ride that Honda R&D rollercoaster?
larryw: Overall, I had a great time. It's always fun being around racers
larryw: who are enthusiastic about what they're doing. I race myself, so I know what its
larryw: like when your resources are slim
larryw: The fixes on the exhuast system were really comical
larryw: The smell fromthe exposy they used burn my eyes so bad I couldn't see
larryw: and I thought I was going to pass out. Imagine that with a school of 1000-megawatt
larryw: lights blaring at you from behind. Whew!
justracing: I will no longer complain about freezing my rear off siting in the paddock!
justracing: I was disappointed to see the Banks truck pull out, since I'm a Duramax owner myself. Had you had a chance to drive it at all?
larryw: Yeah I drove it the two days before the 25 hour. It was really wild
larryw: Lots of lag, then a two-stoke like powerband hit. THey were having
larryw: problems with the steering. Basically, they sized everything, the pump, rack, etc for
larryw: their target weight, which was I think 400 pounds lighter than what they hit.
larryw: I've been told that the problem's been fixed and they're gonna race it soon.
justracing: Do you see more diesels moving into racing? Maybe now that the Audi guys are opening the door with the R10?
larryw: Ahh I don't know. THere's a limit to how high you can rev the things becasue diesel combustion needs a
larryw: fixed amount of time. My opinion: bit players for the forceable future. Cool nontheless
justracing: JEM asks: What were they going to do for *tires* on the Banks rig?
larryw: I think they were using Nascar tires and 15-inch wheels.
justracing: Judging by the video they put on their web site, the think pulled like a locomotive.
justracing: This seems like an interesting opportunity for cross-over from the street enthusiasts to the track.
justracing: We seem to be seeing a bit of a groundswell in the "trackday" phenomenon in the US. What do you think is driving that and do you think it'll help the cause of road racing in the US?
larryw: Yeah it sure did. What wa weird was that even when you lifted off the gas
larryw: there wasn't the instant engine braking. No throttle will do that..
justracing: It needs a jake brake!
larryw: Well cars are far too fast to enjoy on public roads so the track day is the perfect solution.
larryw: Hmmm, I've give the banks guys your number
justracing: Which contemporary cars do you think are going to become legendary club racers over the next 10 years?
larryw: Vette for sure. It's cleaning up T1. Next, the Mini. Then it's gotta be a Honda product.
justracing: Looking back, the E36 BMW cars did extremely well, as did the Integra and the Miata. What do you think will be the next generation?
larryw: you know it' too bad the Integra type R didn't race at the club level becasue that
larryw: was a very cool car. Yes, the miata. BMW didn't do much but WC so I don't consider that club
larryw: Next generation will be the RX-8, perhaps the STi if it doesn't get legislated out, MIata and
larryw: the Solstice will be big
larryw: Somewhere, somwone has to make room for the Mustang in club racing.
justracing: Are they still talking about a Solstice Coupe? I have to think would make an incredible race car.
larryw: Yeah it's got a hardtop coming and a 250-hp direct injection turbo motor. Should be very sweet
larryw: I doubt we'll see a fixed coupe.
justracing: Now that I'm looking forward to.
justracing: As someone who's about to race the new Miata ...
justracing: JEM asks: How do you feel the current Miata stacks up to the earlier cars on track?
larryw: Well, I haven't had a stopwatch back to back, but it's got more power and more weight so it might
larryw: actually turn out to be a wash. THe current cars are so well developed its hard to compare.
larryw: I do know that the new car corners a lot flatter, but of course that doesn't necessarily mean it corners faster.
larryw: You of course know the CG height is the biggest deal and the new miata is a little higher I think
justracing: You're slated to run the new Pro Spec Miata series on Hankook tires this year. Any thoughts on this new series and have you tried the tires?
larryw: I expect the new series to be a dogfight. Sealed engines and since its the first year, hopefully
larryw: no one will have figured out a way to cheat! Really though it's the bext
larryw: no excuses racing out there, imo. You gotta keep your momentum so no one's
larryw: gonna want to touch the brakes, so it'll be terrific fun.
larryw: I've raced in overdog cars and trust me it's always more fun to be battling weather you're
larryw: in 1st place or tenth
justracing: I think this will be a fantastic entry-level Pro series, particularly with the manufacturer arms-race going on in World Challenge Touring these days.
larryw: PLus there will be TV and we'll be producing what I expect to be some great videos
justracing: The TV package will be particularly cool. Do you see the decision to run without tops to be primarily marketing driven?
justracing: I mean the car's top, not yours.
larryw: Yeah WC is priced out. ANd plus the rules changes got to be too much. It seems like
larryw: it's very hard to make all those different cars "equal". I wouldn't want that job!!
larryw: I think the no top thing will certainly help and I bet most of the other spec racers would rather run
larryw: without them
larryw: BTW, I should put the RX-7 as legendary club racer...
justracing: Right, that would be a classic.
justracing: I think there are a lot of people around here who
justracing: would love to make the jump to that series, but money is always the stumbling block.
justracing: How does one go about scaring up sponsor dollars?
larryw: Great question, but you have to be able to deliver some value. Be it exposure, trackside
larryw: whatever. Racing is an exciting activity that generates a lot of enthusiasm. I think you need to be
larryw: creative and professional and build some relationships. You need a track record before you can
larryw: ask for $$
justracing: JEM asks: What kind of time commitment does something like the Miata series require from you?
larryw: It's always more than you budget!! I don't know. Luckily I love working on cars, so that helps.
justracing: When's the first race? Where?
larryw: Lagune on May 5th. I can't wait. I've never been to that track, but it looks like a roller coaster
justracing: Truly fun track! And lots of equal cars will make it a real hoot.
larryw: THe thing with racing is that you have to make sure its fun because it soaks up so
larryw: much time, energy and $$. You have to involve the right people. on a-hole and you're sunk..
larryw: ANd if it's not fun, then get out.
justracing: So who do you pattern your racing efforts after? Is there someone who's really the prototype for the racer you want to be?
larryw: It'd have to be Donohue. Check the data. Think. Make smart changes. Keep notes and practice. But then again
larryw: I don't make my living racing so you have to be careful not to get too hooked on the highs
larryw: because the lows are very lowwww. Check my last 25 hour race...
larryw: Like anything else it's abalance.
justracing: Your most recent racing efforts were in an Evo? In Showroom Stock?
larryw: Oh yeah, you had to bring that up
larryw: It didn't go well. I was in over my head
larryw: I didn't have the money that car needed. I changed tranny's like four time even though
larryw: I only did two practices and two races. I had a lot of problems eating tires and for some
larryw: reason that car was a fluke that ate $247 power steering pumps. THen I got my "showroom stock" education
larryw: Guys spent way more in the class than I thought.
justracing: What are they spending money on?
larryw: I had one highlight. I ran with will turner--who was drivng an M3, at Mid ohio
larryw: and with no power steering pump. When the gear linkage broke
larryw: in that race and I knew I couldn't make the runoffs I parked it
larryw: I think they're spending money on shocks, motors, and lots of tires. THey have the budgets
larryw: to try the A compound Hoosiers, for example.
larryw: THey higher crews inmany cases to change trannies and do a lot of practive
larryw: in essence they're better at that game than I was and I didn't want to spend the
larryw: resources to get there.
justracing: fidracer asks: Any desire to compete in the 24-hour at the Nurburgring, like you boss did a few years ago?
larryw: I'm torn on that one. I'd never say no, but I think my boss had a harrowing experience
larryw: becasue you never learn the track, every corner is an unknown and most of the other guys know
larryw: it
larryw: BTW, if you guys ever get to Europe visit Spa, that Eau Rouge is unreal
justracing: That is at the very top of my MUST DRIVE list. What did you get to take around the track there?
larryw: I drove the Z06 around there. I never got it right and scare the CR-- out of myself. I took a ride
larryw: with a GM test driver Jim Mero and I had to look at the floorboards as we went through it
justracing: I will never forget seeing some data traces comparing Schumacher and Barrichello through there. Schumie was flat. Rubens was not.
justracing: drew asks: What is your favorite track you have driven in the US?
larryw: Favorite U.S. track are Mid Ohio, Thunderhill, V.IR and Gratten
justracing: Does the Pro SM series hit the new Miller Motorsports Park this year?
larryw: I like Lime Rock, but I think that's because the surrounding area is so pretty.
larryw: Yeah, we'll be going to Miller. I hear it's terrific. Four miles long or something. Should be fun
justracing: I'm planning to do a BMW Club Race there in May.
larryw: What do you guys think is the U.S. track that's closest to the 'Ring?
justracing: Anyone want to answer that? Use the "Submit a question" link below the chat window.
larryw: We'll never equal it, but what's the closest?
justracing: Sears?
larryw: Anyone says Indy and I'm signing off:)
justracing: Road Atlanta?
justracing: LOL!
justracing: No one knows/
justracing: ?
larryw: Come on Marshall
larryw: I say VIR. Natural road course, lot's of ups and downs, longish..
justracing: MPME asks: It'd have to be VIR. Very long, tons of corners, very diverse. Barber in Alabama is close too.
justracing: Makes sense.
larryw: Barber's too slow imo
larryw: hye what does everyone think of Porsche racing in P2 and not P1?
justracing: I thought that was a really interesting choice on their part myself. Seemed like an odd choice on the surface of it, but with the way the MG-Lolas had performed ...
larryw: Seems like they're ducking Audi.
justracing: I was wondering if it was a marketing decision. P2 being allegedly cheaper and all.
larryw: THey say that but its BS imo. P2 cars are lighter so that makes then just as expensive
larryw: if not more
justracing: M3ichael asks: Rodger has a plan you can almost feel it, was at the race in Laguna and loved the fact that it kept pace with the Audi's I wonder what will be next?
larryw: Yeah, I met with Roger and Durheimer at the Detroit show. THey're cagey about moving up
larryw: to P1, but I think they will by the end of the year if not sooner.
justracing: MPME asks: makes you think they didn't want to present a huge expenditure to the board. still spending a ton, but they can hide it behind running a "modest" P2 effort. Porsche building themselves to be the underdog is too funny...
larryw: They wouldn't commit to lemans either
justracing: MPME asks: Penske just moved into a 250,000sq ft facility ot house his ALMS, NASCAR, and IRL efforts. The p2 program is serious.
larryw: yeah, you're right. they gotta be going to P1, you think?
justracing: JEM asks: Porsche: They decided P2 was a small-enough pond that they could be far and away the biggest fish.
larryw: I'd agree, but the 911 races against so many cars
larryw: You know I was at Le Mans when the Porsche toyota battle raged.
larryw: It was so cool, the lap times were about equal until sunday morning when both teams decided to
justracing: ALSM seems to be on pretty shaky ground these days. Do you think the entry of Porsche will spark a bit of a resurgence?
larryw: turn it up to force the others to break. Each lap was faster than the next until the toyota finally broke
larryw: I dunno what to make of the road racing series. I thought ALMS was dead too, but now it
larryw: seems to be gaining steam. And while I once wrote that I though the grand am formula
larryw: was the way to go, I saw those cars on the track and wasn't real impressed.
larryw: They're like ultimate 911s or Vettes and not much else. But the fields are strong.
justracing: They are doing a great job of marketing it, though.
justracing: NASCAR $$s don't hurt., either
justracing: fidracer asks: That fist fight was classic.
justracing: I saw that Bingham apologized in the press this week, too.
larryw: I saw clips of that but missed the whole thing. Is there a place I can see all of it?
justracing: I haven't seen it myself, unfortunately.
justracing: OK - we've had Larry on here for an hour now and it's time to let him go. Larry, thank you so much for joining us here this evening!
larryw: Hey anytime, thanks for having me
larryw: Goodnight everyone
justracing: More information on Larry Webster and Car and Driver magazine can be found at:
justracing: http://www.caranddriver.com
justracing: For information on upcoming JustRacing Seminars, please visit:
justracing: http://www.justracing.coms/seminar
justracing: A transcript of this Seminar will be reposted to JustRacing.com later tonight. Click on this seminar's name under Past Seminars at http://www.justracing.com/seminar
justracing: If you have feedback about this Seminar, please use the Feedback links on the site and let us know!
justracing: Thanks for joining us!

Feel free to post follow-ups in this thread.

Thanks for joining us!

- The JustRacing Team

Transcript - Joe Marko, Motorsports Safety Expert Seminar

Thu, 16 Feb 2006 23:35:27 GMT

Author: RedlineMan

Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2006 11:35 pm

Regarding the SFI H&N single release clause;

I am still not sure I buy into it completely. With respect to the training of safety personel, it is my assumption that all safety personel are carrying a webbing cutting device of some sort. If not, they very well should be! If there is any probelm with extraction, the belts can be cut in seconds and the driver freed. Some drivers have taken to salting one of these cutters away in their interior just in case; a great idea!

It has been noted in extensive discussions elsewhere that some devices that meet the single release claus can and very often do impede egress of drivers. Anyone wearing a HANS has likely gotten snagged at least once by the headrest portion of the yoke, and yet this is not seen as a problem. I am thinking of adding the quick release tethers to mine for just this reason.

It is an interesting point to consider, at the least.

Transcript - Andy Pilgrim, Team Cadillac, World Challenge GT

Sun, 16 Oct 2005 00:35:31 GMT

Author: justracing

Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:35 am

JustRacing is proud to welcome legendary sports car racer, Team Cadillac driver, and SPEED World Challenge GT points leader Andy Pilgrim to JustRacing Seminars, LIVE from the paddock at Laguna Seca Raceway during the final SPEED World Challenge event of the 2005 season.

justracing: Thanks for joining us here at JustRacing Seminars, live from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca!. Please give a warm welcome to the weekend's second guest, Team Cadillac driver and SPEED GT points leader Andy Pilgrim. Andy has a storied career in motorsports, including a truly unprecedented 116 race finishes in IMSA/PSCR events, 4 second-place finishes at Le Mans, and wins at both Daytona and Sebring. But we'll cover that in a moment!
justracing: Please feel free to send us questions for Andy via the "Submit a question" link under the seminar window.
justracing: Ok, Andy, let's get started! Welcome and thanks for joining us today!
justracing: How did your qualifying session go this morning?
AndyP: Ok. The session went about as well as we can expect. We were hoping for top10 & we are in 12th place.
justracing: How does that leave positioned vs. your biggest rivals for the race tomorrow?
AndyP: The biggest rival in 7th & 9th. Liddell in 7th & Archer in 9th.
justracing: I know the manufacturer's championship is very close this year. How do you need to place to whisk this one away from Porsche?
AndyP: We need to finish in 1st place & a Porsche 3rd or worse.
justracing: This is really going to come down to the wire!
justracing: Since we're here at Laguna, let's take a question about tracks:
justracing: jpretti asks: Of the tracks you run on in the SWC, what's your favorite, and why? And your least favorite?
AndyP: Elkhart Lake in my most favorite North American Track.
AndyP: I don't really have a least favorite racetrack.
justracing: pretti asks: As far as the Speed World Challenge, what do you like most about the series? And, if you had the chance to change one thing, what would it be?
AndyP: The closest of competition is my most favorite part.
AndyP: If I could change anything it would be the speed at which the rewards weight comes off the car. At the moment, because I have been 200 lbs. for 6 races, it's impossible for me to compete for the win without messing up 3 races in a row.
justracing: The REWARDS weight system seems integral to the competitiveness of the series. Do you think it's still helping to provide close racing for the fans?
AndyP: Yes, I think the Rewards weight has made things competitive & allowed other teams & drivers to get into the top 5.
justracing: Leaving out the Cadillac for a moment, what's your favorite race car driven to date?
AndyP: I don't date race car drivers actually!
justracing: Everybody needs standards.
justracing: jpretti asks: What would be your "dream ride" as a racer
AndyP: I would love to drive the Ferrari F1 car.
justracing: How do you think non-oval racing is fairing in the US these days. We see a lot of migration to street circuits. Do you think it's helping? Hurting?
AndyP: I think road racing is very healthy.
AndyP: I think street races in the right market are a great asset to any schedule.
justracing: Team Cadillac has done a phenomenal job of fielding a competitive package over the last couple of seasons. What's your experience been like driving the CTS-V, from an overall perspective?
AndyP: I knew a lot of the CAddy Team from the Corvette program. As far as specific car guys, guys like the engineers & mechanics, the PR people at Caddy REALLY get the racing aspect.
AndyP: I have done more PR events with Caddy in the past 2 years than with any other manufacturer.
justracing: You make an interesting point that was echoed by our guest yesterday, Scott Bradley. PR and marketing appears to be a truly critical part of racing in today's world.
justracing: What advice in this area would you give to aspiring amateurs who are looking to move up to entry-level Pro racing?
AndyP: Work on all aspects of your racing career equally. Your driving skills, car set-up skills, public speaking skills, training schedule, nutrition, & anything else I missed out.
AndyP: There are not enough all around athletes who can work in all aspects required of a modern day professional race car driver.
justracing: Looking back on the early days of your career, can you think of a pivotal point that really launched you down the road of pro racing?
AndyP: I can't think of a specific moment, but when given the chance to shine in a public forum in a team or competition that has high visibility for the first time, I was lucky enough to rise to that challenge because I had been preparing for that opportunity.
justracing: Looking back, is there a career decision you made that now elicits a bit of a "Doh!" response from you? Something you would do differently?
AndyP: I can't think of anything that would really be a "Doh!" moment. I've been very fortunate to make some reasonable moves when I had the opportunity.
justracing: You talked about being prepared for opportunity.
justracing: jpretti asks: What is your training routine?
AndyP: I work out an hour & a half, 5 times a week and keep a pretty strict diet.
justracing: In terms of preparing the car, jpretti asks: In the different series you run, do you see any differences in the relative importance of the teams race engineeering capabilities to a teams success?
AndyP: A HUGE importance between race engineering capability & team success. For a team who doesn't have an engineering budget, the skill of the driver to give consistent feedback to the crew chief plays a massive part.
justracing: I have to image that the driver/crew chief relationship is paramount. How do you manage jumping around in different series where you may not be able to building a long-term working relationship with a crew chief or crfew?
AndyP: It's not been that difficult. I get along with most people and a smart person coming to a new team knows how to listen before saying too much.
justracing: One of the things we talked about yesterday with Scott Bradley was the challenges in competing in different series with different kinds of cars at the same event. What'sy your strategy for adapting to a dramatically different race car in short order?
AndyP: Experience really helps me now. Years ago, it was a question of working up to things slowly and making sure you head in the correct car, at the correct time.
justracing: Have a question here about the new Laguna setup.
justracing: bimmerbob asks: We 've got a race coming up at Laguna... with the "new" track improvments what would you run for a set-up for a touring car. High down force, stiff set up, or something else?
AndyP: Turn 4 & turn 6 & turn 9 are a little faster as it is easier to use the inside curbs, probably shaving a second or 2 in most classes of car.
justracing: Have the improved site lines through Turn 9 changed your approach there?
AndyP: Not your approach, but your visibility once you have turned in, you see the apex earlier.
justracing: How about the wider run-off area? Less angst?
AndyP: Not really. After they moved the barriers back 10 years ago, that was when you felt it was a safer corner.
justracing: Back to favorites. Leaving the Cadillac CTS-V out for a moment, what's your favorite race car ever?
AndyP: Probably the Porsche GT1 Evo that I drove with Allan McNish in 1999.
justracing: Lifestyle question: What's your favorite band?
AndyP: The Cure.
justracing: No stereo in that CTS-V, I'm guessing.
AndyP: No, it is full of earplugs!
justracing: Looking at the rest of the paddock ...
justracing: MaryBeth asks: Have any up-and-coming drivers caught your eye this year? What has impressed you about them?
AndyP: Chip Herr has done a good job and Charles Espenlaub in the Touring Class.
justracing: Would you foresee those guys making the jump to GT here in the future?
AndyP: Either of them would do a great job in GT or other classes.
justracing: We're finally starting to see some high-profile female drivers in prominent race series. Do you think there's anything inherent in racing that stands in the way of female drivers in modern racing?
AndyP: No, I don't think there is anything inherent in racing that stands in the way of female drivers at all.
AndyP: I have driven with 2 great female drivers in my career, Claudia Hurtgen & Kat Teasedale.
justracing: Hopefully it will be just a matter of time, then, until we see them at the front of the grid.
justracing: Do you think there are business obstacles that prevent them from finding some of the premier rides?
AndyP: No, I think Danica Patrick has the best ride in IRL.
AndyP: Ultimately any professional race driver has to perform. Female drivers should have no more or less pressure put upon them.
justracing: Andy, I'd like to thank you for joining us here today! I know you have a very busy schedule this weekend (the paddock here is packed!) and we very much appreciate your making time for us.
AndyP: My pleasure.
justracing: It's been absolutely fascinating getting your perspective on this art we call racing and we wish you nothing but the best of luck during the race tomorrow!
AndyP: Thanks everybody for the questions
justracing: More information on Andy Pilgrim can be found at:
justracing: http://www.andypilgrim.com
justracing: For information on upcoming JustRacing Seminars, please visit:
justracing: http://www.justracing.coms/seminar
justracing: A transcript of this Seminar will be reposted to JustRacing.com this evening. Click on this seminar's name under Past Seminars at http://www.justracing.com/seminar
justracing: If you have feedback about this Seminar, please use the Feedback links on the site and let us know!
justracing: Thanks!

Feel free to post follow-ups in this thread.

Thanks for joining us!

- The JustRacing Team

Transcript - Scott Bradley, Circuit City/Protomotive Team

Sat, 15 Oct 2005 05:03:10 GMT

Author: justracing

Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 5:03 am

JustRacing Seminars featuring Scott Bradley, SPEED World Challenge Touring driver, live from the paddock at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca!

justracing: Thanks for joining us! Please stand by while participants join the chat.
justracing: Thanks for joining us here at JustRacing Seminars, live from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca!. Please give a warm welcome to the weekend's first guest, Circuit City/Protomotive Team driver Scott Bradley. Scott has spent the last 2 seasons in SPEED World Challenge Touring and before that has a record of success in a variety of racing series. But I'll let him tell you more about that himself.
justracing: Please feel free to send us questions for Scott via the "Submit a question" link under the seminar window.
justracing: Ok, Scott, let's get started! Welcome!
justracing: How's the weekend going so far?
speedrcr14: The weekend is going already.
speedrcr14: The car is coming around; the best it has been all season.
speedrcr14: We have more work to do. We had a gear box failure yesterday afternoon.
speedrcr14: The guys are working on that now.
speedrcr14: Once the car is back together, we will make a pretty good showing this weekend.
justracing: BRUCE asks: Hi Scott What happened this morning?
speedrcr14: They were still working on the gearbox. It should be finished for this afternoon's session.
justracing: Is this the first season with this new XTRAC gearbox
justracing: ?
speedrcr14: Yes, it is the first season with the new gearbox.
speedrcr14: Everyone is on a bit of a learning curve with it.
speedrcr14: Learning about how long various pieces will last.
speedrcr14: AT this point, it is a bit trial & error.
justracing: What's the learning curve like for the driver in going from a standard box to a sequential one?
speedrcr14: For me, it wasn't a big step since I have driven sequential boxes before from go-karts, ALMS cars, etc.
speedrcr14: I prefer the sequential gearbox. It makes it easier to left-foot brake & it is just quicker over all.
justracing: Speaking of ALMS, you've spent some time in a top-tier sports racer, specifically in the Essex Racing LMP 675 in ALMS. You event visited the podium in that car. Can you talk a bit about what it's like to drive one of those as compared to the sedans you're racing this weekend?
speedrcr14: I loved driving that car because it was in line with the openwheel cars I've driven.
speedrcr14: Having driven Star Mazda for a few years making the jump to the LM car was pretty easy.
speedrcr14: The biggest issue I had making the transition was getting used to the carbon/carbon brakes.
speedrcr14: The cars absolutely stop on a dime and you the initial hit on the brake pedal was extremely hard.
speedrcr14: At least alot harder than I was used to.
speedrcr14: With a sedan it actually took me some time to slow myself down.
speedrcr14: By that I mean everything happens alot slower in a sedan and alot of drivers coming from openwheel or prototype cars have a habit over overdriving the car.
justracing: I watch some of the guys who run in multiple series in a race weekend and I am amazed that they can make the transition.
speedrcr14: It really just a matter of seat time.
speedrcr14: The more cars you drive and the more often you do it the easier that transition become.
speedrcr14: Eventually it just becomes second nature.
justracing: Speaking of which, I noticed you've spent some time on the drift circuit lately. That's one of those things that seems a bit foreign to the American racing public.
justracing: Can you talk a little bit about that experience and what you think the future of it is?
speedrcr14: Drifting was definately a different experience for me.
speedrcr14: The driving style in drifting is the absolute opposite of everything I'd been taught in road racing.
speedrcr14: In drifting you want the car as sideways as possible.
speedrcr14: As a road racer my intial reaction to a car sliding is to add correction with the steering wheel.
speedrcr14: In drifting the idea is to add power and keep that slide going...
speedrcr14: Not at all what I was used to or trained to do which actually made it quit difficult.
speedrcr14: I've got alot of respect for the guys can do that well.
speedrcr14: It's definately an art!
justracing: A quick note to those following along on the web: feel free to submit questions for Scott using the "Submit a Question" link below the chat applet.
justracing: Do you think it's got a future here in the US?
speedrcr14: It's tough to say
speedrcr14: I think with the right promotion and the right rules it could have legs
speedrcr14: Right now the rules are a bit confusing and as with all racing cost is going to be an issue
speedrcr14: As I see drifting it needs to be open to the guys off the street with their tuners cars
speedrcr14: And they need to be able to compete
speedrcr14: Right now the series is dominated by high cost purpose built cars
speedrcr14: While I love watch cars like the GTO or Viper I'm not sure how good that is for the long-term future of the sport
justracing: That's an interesting point. The barriers to entry get pretty high for the amateru racer at that point.
speedrcr14: You are right and I don't think that should be the case
speedrcr14: I don't pretend to know everything about drifting so this is somewhat from an outsiders perspective but
speedrcr14: I think it may have gone too big too soon
speedrcr14: IN other words maybe a bit too much promotion before the groundwork was in place to handle it's growth
speedrcr14: If you look at something like Star Mazda
speedrcr14: You can buy a car and run either in a club series or if you want to step up you can run at a professional level
speedrcr14: With drifting thats not the case...
speedrcr14: You need to build a 100K car or more if you want to compete
speedrcr14: And since driftingwas really grassroots I think they need to make sure they don't leave those people behind
justracing: FierySphere asks: Do you see drifting as helping or hurting the long-term future of road-racing ?
speedrcr14: I really see them as seperate things
speedrcr14: I think drifting can be a good add on to road racing weekends as added entertainment
speedrcr14: It just needs to be professional
speedrcr14: I've seen some drifting demos done that were not that way
speedrcr14: I think that could hurt them but I don't see it reflecting negatively on road racing
speedrcr14: The plus for us is that hopefully we can convert some drift fans into road racing fans
justracing: I'm all for that.
justracing: In terms of entry-level road racing, what are you a fan of?
justracing: Madman asks: What do you think of the Spec Miata racing class?
speedrcr14: I think the Spec Miata is a great class!
speedrcr14: Again it goes back to providing an arena that someone can build a car and run at different levels
speedrcr14: You can run club and now with the new pro series if you have the desire you can come run on ALMS weekends
speedrcr14: It allows a driver to minimize the investment needed to start out and then progress to a professional level
speedrcr14: As you've seen some pretty good drivers have come from Spec Miata..
speedrcr14: Ken Dobson, Chip Herr and John Kanavas were all spec miate drivers before they made the break into World Challenge
justracing: It seems like every amateur racer harbors the dream of making it to the Pro level, and you've done it. What do you think it really takes to make it in the Big Leagues? Other than rich parents, of course.
speedrcr14: LOL!! That does help!
speedrcr14: The biggest thing is focus and dedication
speedrcr14: To make it in motorsports you really have to WANT it
speedrcr14: Aside from getting to drive great cars at highspeed there is alot that goes on behind the scenes
justracing: It seems like "marketing" is a HUGE part of being a race driver these days.
speedrcr14: Exactly...Aside from having to be quick behind the wheel you have to be able to market yourself
speedrcr14: If you weren't blessed with a big trust fund you are going to need to get funding from somewhere and most of the time that comes from corporate sponsors
justracing: Having quick typing fingers helps, too.
justracing: jpretti asks: As far as the Speed World Challenge, what do you like most about the series? And, if you had the chance to change one thing, what would it be?
speedrcr14: My favorite part about the series is the close racing for sure
speedrcr14: This is the best wheel to wheel racing going on anywhere in the country at this point!
speedrcr14: As far as what I would change about the series it would be cost
speedrcr14: I think we run the risk of running people out of business if we don't get a handle on that
speedrcr14: Other series have been able to curtail testing,costs and run costs..
speedrcr14: I think it's something we need to address...
speedrcr14: The budgets have doubled in the past two years and I don't see it slowing down
justracing: brian asks: Financially, what does it cost ballpark to run a season (renting) in WC in a "decent" car and a "competitive car"?
speedrcr14: With no factory help you are looking at 200K min for a "Good" ride
justracing: That's real money./
speedrcr14: Yes...that is cost to run the car for the year
speedrcr14: If you go to a team and open your checkbook that is the check you need to write
justracing: jpretti asks: Of the tracks you run on in the SWC, what's your favorite, and why? And your least favorite
speedrcr14: Ther are two actually...
speedrcr14: Laguna Seca is my home track and easily my fav..
speedrcr14: But Lime Rcok is another
speedrcr14: Laguna I like because you need to get a really good flow going around here to go quick
speedrcr14: It's also challenging from a technical standpoint because the track throws so much at you..
speedrcr14: And of course you have the corkscrew...One of the coolest corners is racing
speedrcr14: I really don't have a least favorite track..
speedrcr14: They all present different challenges from track like Laguna to Street Courses like Denver and St. Pete
speedrcr14: They are all a blast!
justracing: Getting back to costs for a moment, do you think the new Pro Spec Miata series that was just announced by SCCA Pro, complete with TV package, is an attempt to curtail the rising costs of entry-level pro racing?
speedrcr14: I think that may have been the motivation but I have not looked at a rule book so I'm not sure it will achieve that.
speedrcr14: We fight costs in every form of racing...
speedrcr14: Outside of going faster in our cars that is the biggest battle we face
speedrcr14: And obviously the first plays into the second
speedrcr14: At what point do we maintain speed and focus on building a fan base vs satisfying our desires to go as fast as possible
justracing: Excellent question. Looking forward ...
justracing: Terrance asks: Is there a specific form of racing that you would ultimately want to compete in the future other than Speed WC?
speedrcr14: I think "That other Road Racing Series" is a pretty good one and with it's prototype class is coming close to achieving a spec format
justracing: What are the entries into a series like that for a young driver like yourself?
speedrcr14: The best way to work your way in is getting into a GT car first and proving your talent there
speedrcr14: Unlike other forms of racing the factorys are paying attention as will see how you do in sedans and may help you from there
justracing: Just got a great question about Laguna, so let's switch gears a bit.
justracing: brian asks: Specific to this weekend since it's his home track; has Scott driven on the track since the MotoGP/FIA changes? What does he think of the track now and how has it changed his approach?
speedrcr14: That is a great question!
speedrcr14: THe changes for MotoGP have changed the character of the track a bit
speedrcr14: Alot of the curbs have been flattened out so now you can actually use them..
speedrcr14: It should make for an interesting race as we can now drop wheels on the inside of corners and throw dirt on the drivers behind
speedrcr14: Reminds me of go karts a bit
speedrcr14: The other major change is the removal of the bridge at turn 9
speedrcr14: I'm not sure how I feel about that one yet...
speedrcr14: That corner was a challenge before and really took some getting used to
speedrcr14: Now it's open and alot easier to see around it
speedrcr14: Being that this is my home track and it was an advantage for me..I'd have to go with
speedrcr14: I don't care for it too much
justracing: Have you driven at Thunderhill since they added pavement recently?
speedrcr14: No I have not...
speedrcr14: Again a track I really like hopefully it hasn't been changed too much!
justracing: The added a bunch of pavement at the outside of 8, even though they want it to be used "for emergencies only," but it totally changes the corner since there's no angst there at speed anymore.
justracing: Have you found anything like that here now?
speedrcr14: Not really...I think the track remains pretty close to what it was and I'm sure with all the dirt that is going to be thrown up during the races there will be a solution at some point
justracing: Scott has a very busy schedule today, so we need to wind this down. This will be the last question.
justracing: brian asks: What does Scott drive on a daily basis away from the racetrack?
speedrcr14: I drive a Dodge Dakota..I need something to haul my go karts and ATV with
speedrcr14: The pick-up also keeps me from getting speeding tickets
speedrcr14: I'd really like to thank you guys for having me on...It's been a blast!
speedrcr14: I look forward to coming back soon!
speedrcr14: Just a quick thank you to my sponsors Circuit City, Kicker and Peak Travel
speedrcr14: Anyone not in the area please check us out on SPEED and if you are..Head out to Laguna this weekend
justracing: Many thanks, Scott, for joining us on this chat today. Making the jump to Pro Racing is a thought that lurks in the back of every amateur's mind and it's been great talking with someone who's managed that leap.
justracing: More information on Scott Bradley can be found at:
justracing: http://www.speedrcr.com
justracing: Please join us tomorrow at 1:30pm PST as we chat with Andy Pilgrim, SPEED World Challenge GT points leader and Team Cadillac driver.
justracing: For information on upcoming JustRacing Seminars, please visit:
justracing: http://www.justracing.coms/seminar
justracing: A transcript of this Seminar will be reposted to JustRacing.com this evening. Click on this seminar's name under Past Seminars at http://www.justracing.com/seminar
justracing: If you have feedback about this Seminar, please use the Feedback links on the site and let us know!
justracing: Thanks!

Feel free to post follow-ups in this thread.

Thanks for joining us!

- The JustRacing Team

Fabrication and Design Seminar with Tony Colicchio?

Fri, 16 Sep 2005 05:57:47 GMT

Author: MPME

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 5:57 am

A lot of racers have a desire to do some DIY aspects for their racing--it'd be cool to learn about Tony and what has gotten him to his current state of premier auto/racing craftsman.

Marshall Pruett - Motorsport Professional Seminar Transcript

Thu, 15 Sep 2005 23:57:38 GMT

Author: justracing

Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 11:57 pm

justracing: Thanks for joining us here at the inaugural Seminar at JustRacing.com. Please give a warm welcome to our first guest ever, Marshall Pruett. Marshall has 20 years of experience in pro racing with a wide variety of teams, cars, and racing styles. But I'll let him tell you more about that himself.
justracing: Please feel free to send us questions for Marshall via the "Submit a question" link under the seminar window.
justracing: Ok, Marshall, let's get started! Welcome!
MPME: Hello all--we're here in the JustRacing headquarters awaiting your questions and fun to follow!
justracing: Ok, I'll start with some questions and see what our member come up with as we go.
justracing: How did you get your start in motorsports?
MPME: Great question! My dad was an amateur racer in the '60's and 70's, as well as working as a racing mechanic. I grew up at the track--Sears Point was one of my earliest memories--3 years old, helping him pick rocks off the tires in the upper paddock.
justracing: So you got hired by a team at 3 years old, then.
MPME: He drove a lot of different things--sports racers, sedans, and a few formula cars (he always thought being able to see the tires was odd), and decided to stick with a variety of English oddities--Lotus, Fords, Morris Minors...
justracing: It seems like a lot of people started with those English makes. What drew you, and he, to them specifically?
MPME: He was a Swedish, English, and Italian car specialist--he owned his own shops all along the peninsula here in NorCal--his hatred for American cars seemed to spur his desire to find wacky English rides. For me, I grew up with a love for Saabs and Volvos--guess I'm carrying the odd car torch...
justracing: Nice. So there you were, a young man, mopping up British oil from the garage floor. What sent you in the direction of pro racing?
MPME: A few things--the sights and sounds of the cars drew my imagination. Also, as most boys do, I idolized my dad, and wanted to enjoy what he loved. As I got older, the idea of blending my passion for cars and racing into something I could earn a living at only made sense.
justracing: How did you make the jump from there to a real, paid racing job?
MPME: After working as a gofer for an SCCA Pro Super Vee team (80's equivalent to Formula Atlantic) in '86 and '87, I responded to an ad looking for a mechanic at a formula car shop in Mountain View, Ca--TR Raceservice. That was one of the best/worst jobs I've ever had.
justracing: Tell us a bit more about that. Sounds fascinating.
MPME: I'd seen the team running a variety of formula cars at local races, and thought it would be a solid move for me to take over the prep and running of their 10+ customer cars. Turns out I spent a year learning how NOT to do everything to be a professional mechanic...
justracing: Looking back, is there someone that you can point to who made the biggest difference to your career?
MPME: I had a lot of senior mechanics that took me under their wing. The race prep shops at Sears Point in the 80's and '90's had a very strong community feel--the whole *it takes a village to raise a child thing* I guess.
MPME: For the pro racing side, when I met and became part of the Genoa Racing Indy/Indy Lights/Atlantic team.
MPME: The owner, Angelo Ferro, was the most kind, most gentlemanly chap I've met. The team manager, Thomas Knapp, gave me a quick and stern education on how to run a racing team. Those lessons serve me every day.
justracing: billboom asks: Marshall, in your opinion who is the best pro driver you've worked with?
MPME: That's hard to answer (but I'll try)
MPME: I've worked with guys like Greg Ray, '99 IRL champ, that over a single lap, or needing to pull out a string of incredible laps to win an Indycar race, is better tha n anybody today.
MPME: unfortunately, when he wasn't in that *do ir die* situation, the cleanup crews usually returned his car in small buckets...
MPME: From an overall skill standpoint, Helio Castro Neves at Hogan was an obvious star. Beautiful personality, lots of fun, and just wickedly skilled behind the wheel.
MPME: I've worked with a ton of guys, so it's hard for me to recall all of them. Hoover Orsi was also phenominal (2001 Atlantic champion)--we were on the pole for Homestead in 2000 and led Buddy Rice and Dan Wheldon almost the whole way until our battery exploded
MPME: What made Hoover incredible is that he'd only sat in that car a day before, and with no testing, handed Rice and Wheldon their behinds...
MPME: As for the best and most enjoyable of late, working with Andy Pilgrim this year has been a pleasure. Not often you get a veteran driver as humble and personable as Andy. Good guy.
justracing: I've got a great question here from FierySphere that kind of dovetails into all this.
justracing: FierySphere asks: Do you think there is a race community like you experienced at Sears Point in the 80s/90s, on the West Coast today ?
MPME: I do, but they are now online! I remember organizing a Sears Point softball league in '89, and holding games inside T11. Seems like fantasy baseball would be the better option today.
MPME: The reason I appreciate JustRacing.com is becuase of the desire to build that same sentiment, but online and across the country. I hope we can have a dinner/berr/B.S. fest sometime soon.
justracing: That's a great idea. We'll look into that!
justracing: Speaking of pro racers, there's been a lot of press lately about some women who are making waves in the Pro Racing world.
justracing: MaryBeth asks: Marshall, how do you feel about women in professional motorsports? Can they be successful?
MPME: I'm happy as can be about female racers, and yes, I know they can be as successful
MPME: My fiance still gives me odd stares when I tell her this, but I have every intention of our future daughter(s) to be the first black woman to win the Indy 500. No joke.
MPME: I used to work with a lady named Margie Smith-Haas, the first American woman to win a professional road race (SCCA Pro Sports 200 championship). She was really cool, stren when she needed to be, and embarrassed the male races to my delight. Testosterone gets really old sometimes...
justracing: This has always struck me as one of the rare sports where men don't really have a physical advantage and can compete on equal footing with women.
justracing: What, in your experience, do you think has resulted in the lack of prominent women in racing?
MPME: sorree fore mi bahd speling, BTW. I'm obviously a big *spell Check* fan
MPME: Old cultural norms.
MPME: The though of women racing competitively is a rather new cultural trend (for men and women). I love it when I hear a father proclaim that he's buying a Kart for his daughter becuase he KNOWS she'll be better than his son. That kind of progress really makes me happy.
justracing: It's really be nice when it truly is all about talent.
justracing: Mahler asks: Okay... on the women in racing thing... who has impressed you more: Danica Patrick or Katherine Legge
MPME: Cool--these are the topic I love to debate!
MPME: Danica has taken a different approach to reach her status--a lot of it has had to do with earning her place, and earning respect.
MPME: Legge has done the opposite--she's TAKEN what she wants, and makes some VERY aggressive moves--they speak of a driver that has the will to win, and aboce all other drivers, regardless of gender.
MPME: Earn vs. Take is the distinction here. I'm a huge fan of Ayrton Senna (was, I should say)--his style was to take, and it was the biggest difference between he and his rivals. Different mindset, different approach, incredible success as a result. I'll be instilling the same into my sons/daughters when they start driving.
justracing: renee asks: How about the weight issue? Should Danica have to add weight to her car since she is so much smaller?
MPME: Yes. It isn't as much as the IRL boys play it up to be (there are male drivers within 10lbs of Ms. Patrick, BTW).
MPME: The IRL should squash this, not so much due to the question of an unfair advantage, but to rule out those whispers that lead to a false belief of her abilities.
MPME: A quick woman? Must be the weight...
MPME: The fact that the resources and engineering staff at Rahal are just about the best in the country is the real reason all 3 Rahal IRL cars are ready to succeed at every event.
justracing: I'm always really interested by stuff like this. I mean, I get in my race car and I drive it. It's not so finely honed that 10 lbs is a noticeable difference.
justracing: How do you think drivers get to the point that the can a) tell the difference, and b) manage it?
justracing: It leads into two questions I'm seeing a lot:
justracing: FierySphere asks: Given your diverse background, what is the one thing amateur racers do that holds back their progress?
justracing: kuzimmer asks: Late to the party, hope this hasn't been asked: Marshall, you do a bit of driver coaching, what do you find is the biggest hurdle for a driver making the transition from DE type events to full on racing? And is this addressed by the various racing schools?
MPME: Telling the difference is the hard part--managing it is even harder.
MPME: Driving a number of different cars (formula, sedan, sports racer, Kart) is the crash course for building a driving skill *database* on how to understand, judge, and contemplate how to improve
MPME: One of the big problems new racers face is having a singular or linear driving education
MPME: If you've only driver a 3000lb sedan at a track, it's hard to really understand the benefit to paring weight off the car, or improving your driving style
MPME: One of the best things I suggest for all amatuer and pro drivers is to buy a Kart to drive between events. The different sensations, speed, and requirements open up a whole new world of ideas
MPME: They also can be bought for very little, so to understand the importance to be smooth, not to brake too much, to be consistent, etc...a Kart will highlight and demonstrate those needs right away
MPME: From a handling and engineering standpoint, trying a much lighter vehicle to better understand your heavier vehicle's limitations, needs, and strengths is a great way to build one's technical/driving acumen
MPME: Spec Miatas are great platforms to lean from--no power, no grip (by comparison to other cars, no aerodynamics---a great platform to hone one's driving skills, compared to a high grip/high HP car. Most that start with power and grip spend many years after trying to learn the bascis lost by not starting without power and grip
justracing: db4 asks: Do you think a novice can learn better/more from a coach than a school? Does one replace the other? Does an Elise count and a Kart? :')
MPME: Let me drive your *Kart* for a week, and I'll get back to you...
MPME: It depends on what your goals are, really. Schools have great offerings a coach usually can't provide in the beginning--lead/follow, mock races, etc.
MPME: A coach is usually best treated as secondary education--we'll undo some of the bad habits, add a bunch of good ones, and work one on one to meet your individual needs. A classroom environment won't do that.
justracing: jschmid asks: There are a number of relatively low-cost data acquisition products available for amateur racers. How much can they help a novice (or even a veteran racer) improve and what would you advise people to look for in a DA product/software?
MPME: Data is the best tool to hit the average racer ever, possibly. As a novice, it will only point out the BIG areas of improvement.
MPME: As you learn more and get better, Data will deliver returns to you in concert with your learning curve. As you get better, the info needed to refine more and more will be there. The interpretation part is the only area where expertise is really needed.
MPME: Hey all--I'll gladly stay online as long as people want (it's the *I need people's approval*) complex inside me...
justracing: Since we're still picking up viewers and the questions are still pouring in, I've extended the Seminar for another hour (or as long as Marshall can stay)..
MPME: I'll just start charging JustRacing Triple-time from 7pm onwards...
justracing: So if people want to ping friends to join us, we won't be stopping in 5 minutes as planned.
justracing: Mahler asks: for an intermediate... seat time or $500-1500 for data acq??
MPME: Spend the $ on data. I've spent probably a thousand hours practicing my 20ft jumper at basketball courts--after slightly improving after investing tons of time, I bought an instructional DVD, and am now up to 20%
MPME: All kidding aside, the lessons learned from being able to analyze your driving crititcally, and then compare it to either a change you've made (driving or setup) it priceless
MPME: Some kind competitors will also share their faster laps of data for newer drivers to use as their control/comparison. That helps a ton too.
justracing: I'd imagine it helps in setting a car up, too, huh?
MPME: You bet--as an engineer, data is my 2nd driver, and serves to fill in many setup solutions
MPME: Pros usually have incredible feel and feedback, and will often mirror exactly what the data tells me about the car's performance. For lesser drivers, it usually fills in the gaps that the driver can't help me with...
MPME: for a tech geek, the engineering aspect of data is the real fun. As a driver coach, I only need to look at the data to tell the driver most everything he/she needs to know
justracing: mmonegan asks: What sensors/channels are the most important to focus on when getting started with data acq.?
MPME: I have a standard set I implore all drivers to use--without them, the real power of data is lost
MPME: Throttle position, brake pressure, steering position, RPM (if you can change the gears in your car),
MPME: I've never really cared or found a use for G's--you'd be amazed at how many pro teams largely ignore that data--
MPME: and speed are the main channels.
MPME: Steering and brake pressure are the big channels most people don't include. Steering is vital for you as you improve.
MPME: Braking is a big channel when first learning, and then to a small degree after (from a driving perspective)--it's big from an engineering perspective
justracing: How so? A car setup thing?
MPME: Most newish drivers slow their car too much, or for too long. Braking data is very easy to pick out as being correct or incorrect--I use it as my first channel when working with a new driver
MPME: For setup, you can use it to create a math channel to show the braking percentage front to rear, and adjust the bias knob to suit each track
MPME: I always ask that that percentage figure be put on the 2nd or 3rd page of a pro dash for the mechanincs to look at and use to adjust the bias % before or during a race weekend.
MPME: It's easy to say *I need 55% front bias,* and then the crew only needs to power up the dash, flip to that page, stnad on the brake pedal as hard as possible, and twist the bias knob to match the % desired. Prett neat and simple.
justracing: That's slick.
justracing: How about shocks?
justracing: TC_Design asks: Marshall, when testing a new car or set of shocks. How do you approach the setting of the adjustments.
MPME: Great question--that one could take an hour to answer
MPME: Really depends o
MPME: on what type of car and what type of racing
MPME: for a pro racing sedan, the shocks and springs are the biggest influence on handling
MPME: that might sound obvious, but in other types of cars, aerodynamics, ride height, and a ton of other factors are much bigger
MPME: there are two popular thoughts for shocks/spring settings--stiff shocks and soft springs, or soft shocks and stiff springs
MPME: for me,I prefer to use the shocks to control the response of the car, and really just use springs to *hold the car up off the ground*
MPME: The other factor to keep in mind is the type of driver you will have racing the car
MPME: If the driver came out of Karting, most often he/sje will prefer a much stiffer ride quality. It's then similar to the Kart's handling
MPME: for a formula car drover or similar, shock and spring settings have to be approached from a *do I need them to maintain a stable aerodynamic platform* or *can I get away with a softer setup to drive the car harder* compromise
MPME: so, for testing shocks, I'll usually try a stiffer rebound setting to slow the car's fore/aft movements, and a soft-ish compression setting.
MPME: As of late, I've started out with both the compression and rebound almost full soft, letting the car wallow a lot, and crank in more control as long as the driver responds positively
MPME: Me might have to do an *engineering only* seminar in the near future to pay your question the full response it deserves.
justracing: No kidding.
justracing: So do you base this mostly on driver response or do you actually throw some sensors on the shocks and capture data?
MPME: It depends on what I have at my disposal.
MPME: I was fortunate to start out in racing before data was available to the average racer. It was only an F1 or Indy concept then--even Indycar had only basic 2-3 channel systems then
MPME: As a result, I've had to learn how to engineer based on driver feedback, tire reads (temp, rpessure), and observing a car in action
MPME: For me, and without data, I do more engineering by going out to a few key turns at a track and observing my car in person. I know how I want the car to look while cornering, braking and under acceleration. Makes life easier for me!
MPME: With data, looking at shock travel , frequencies, and a few other aspects will tell you plenty about what type of settings and sprining you need.
MPME: If you know what you are looking for, a data system with shock sensors can tell you what the car wants, rather than you having to guess.
justracing: Mahler asks: For someone without the $$ for real data acq, do you favor in car video, perhaps with a light for brakes and 100% throttle?
MPME: Ahhh, a DIY man after my heart...
MPME: I use in-car video a lot with club racers I coach--the lighting system is a great add on, but in what I teach when I coach, my clients can soon pick out their braking/throttle subtleties by not only listening to their audio, but observing that attitude of their car through the camera.
MPME: As a matter of fact, I'll be over a clinet's house tomorrow night with another person I coach too--we are sitting down to review their latest race weekend footage (I was out of town) to pick out improvements and lessons. doing it on a big screen helps too.
justracing: Mahler asks: There is driving and there is racing... I can easily understand how a coach helps with driving.. what about race craft?
MPME: That is the biggest personal (and financial) reward I get from coaching. The faster driving part is common--lots of people coach.
MPME: Race craft, the art of competing, succeeding, and developing the instincts to make better and decisive choices while on the track is what I love to share.
MPME: Those skills, as I've seen, can only come from someone that has a lot of driving experience, race team management, and the ability to play to a driver's mental strengths.
MPME: Racecraft, unlike qualifying, has almost nothing to do with speed or trying hard--coaching the driver's mind is what developing a driver's racecraft is about for me.
justracing: FierySphere asks: What is the most important skill or tool a racer needs?
MPME: as a driver, he/she needs two things: the ability to have open senses to *feel* a car, and the critical mind to analyze their performance.
MPME: That might sound simple, but I've seen far too many talented drivers achieve their speed by choking the life out of their sterring wheel, or not being able to strip the emotional or sensory overload from driving away from their performance.
MPME: The last thing I've found, as a professional, is a driver with the humility required to *stay fresh* as they grow or improve. the best drivers are always open to learning; the limited drivers tend to see their successes as an indicator of their natural skill, and don't step back to allow further growth
MPME: that also ends up killing a lot of amatuer driver's hopes too
justracing: TC_Design asks: What is the best line out of a driver you have heard as they get out of a car after a session?
MPME: Trying to get me into trouble, eh...
justracing: You bet.
MPME: I can't name the team or driver, but the best line I've heard in a long time was just this year
MPME: Jimmy Vasser once said to me after a crash-filled FF2000 race that it reminded him of *bowling for destruction*
MPME: That, by itself, isn't too funny. Knowing the backstory is the fun part
MPME: Back in the late '90's when he and other hotshoes were tearning up the SCCa Pro scene, he spent some time in Oregon with the son of a wealthly airline magnate. His friend was ungodly rich, and loved to terrorize Portland.
MPME: Vasser and his friend pulled over on a main strip, and his friend jumped out to run into a bowling ally.
MPME: He came back with two stolen bowling balls, and sped off to Vasser's amazement. Next thing he knew, Vasser's friend had turned around, sped up to almost 90mph on this central Portand main strip, and started launching the bowling balls down the street into oncoming cars.
MPME: From there, Vasser's mere mention of *Bowling for Destruction* casued us to head for the nearest bowling alley to wreak havoc.
justracing: If that's one of the stories you CAN tell, I can't even imagine the ones that are still covered by the Code Of The Road.
MPME: Should I tell you about the time we piled into Vasser's '73 caddy convertible after the IMSA race at Sears Point, and did almost half a lap going backwards around the track before we we stopeed by every emergency vehicle the track owned? I'll save that for another time...
justracing: LOL.
justracing: Let's switch gears here a little bit. Safety.
justracing: mmonegan asks: On a different topic, what advise does Marshall have for the racers regarding purchasing a HANS device? At what level are you serious enough to need one?
MPME: Buy one. Now. Even while sitting at home in your lounge chair!
MPME: From a safety standpoint, you might never need it while doing track days and such. For me, and with a woman I want to grow old with, doing everything I can to ensure that happens is mandatory.
MPME: Sometimes we think of safety equipment from a driving/racing/cost standpoint. For me, I just want to go home and have full use of my limbs.
MPME: Sam Schmidt is a dear friend of mine--he's a perfect example. Had the HANS device been ready for fitting in a smallish Indycar when he had his crash in '99, he wouldn't be a quadraplegic today. I knew him before, and I will admit, it saddens me when I see my friend stuck in a wheelchair becuase the safety technology that could have prevented this from happening to him just wasn't ready yet.
justracing: No doubt. Particularly now that HANS prices are dropping into the "much more affordable" range, I think they are kind of a no-brainer for the amateur racer.
justracing: Particularly since the Red Mist tends to set in occasionally for us. On that topic:
justracing: justinhall asks: dont you think that to some exent racecraft comes naturally - i.e. instincts when to be aggressive when not to be, etc.
MPME: You bet--I've never had to teach basic instincts--those are just the foundation I build from. For an upcoming pro like yourself, your instincts have accelerated your growth and success far beyond what most people develop in the limited number of years you've been driving
MPME: For others, the driving the fastes line and making their car go fast is the first area of concentration. Transforming those lessons, adding concepts, practices, and the execution of a solid race is harde to develop by yourself.
MPME: Just like I see on the animal planet, some tigers have great instincts, kill a lot of prey, and get fat. Others need a bit of steering, coaching, and wisdom to achieve those same results.
justracing: Nice analogy.
justracing: On that note, it's time to wrap this up.
justracing: I want to point out that Marshall frequents the Race Technology forum at JustRacing.com, so follow-up tech questions can be posted there.
justracing: Marshall, THANK YOU very much for joining us on this chat today. You've brought a perspective to professional racing that many of us on the sidelines don't get to see. And some great stories as well.
MPME: You bet--I know we had a lot more questions than time to get to them--don't hesitate to email me directly to answer them for you. Sharing my racing experience is what I do! mpme_rda@msn.com
justracing: More information on Marshall Pruett and his services can be found at:
justracing: http://www.racedataengineering.com
justracing: For information on upcoming JustRacing Seminars, please visit:
justracing: http://www.justracing.coms/seminar
justracing: We'll be updating the schedule soon.
justracing: A transcript of this Seminar will be reposted to JustRacing.com tomorrow. Look under Race Forums for a new Seminars forum.
justracing: If you have feedback about this Seminar, please use the Feedback links on the site and let us know!
justracing: Thanks everyone!

Feel free to post follow-ups in this thread.

Thanks for joining us!

- The JustRacing Team