petevette

iTrader: (13)

Hi guys and Rhonda of course. How do you guys feel about practing on a track that has not been race prepped? In other words, is there a real benefit to spending a lot of time practing on a track that is rutted and dry outside of what you would find during a local club race?

I have been out to practice at my track without anytype of race prep. The track is dusty and provides very little traction. Later in the week when the track is actually damp and prepped for racing the conditions are so different that I really don't see any benefit to all the practice. My timing for jumps, braking and corner speed are so far off that it takes me awhile to readjust to the race conditions.

Do you find it beneficial to practice on bad track conditions?

Teufel Racing

iTrader: (30)

Pete,
I would have to say it could be both, but wheel time is still wheel time and better than none. My local track is pretty much the same deal, only prepped before race day and the rest of the time its dry, dusty, and pretty blown out. While not the perfect practice conditions, it does help me.

bentgear

The first time you go some where else to race and the track is dry, dusty and blown out you will be glad you drove on that track so many laps.

Ed M.

ldp787

iTrader: (26)

I can only speak for myself but I feel practicing in all conditions is beneficial....

1. Improving your focus level
2. Adapting personal driving style to conditions
3. Ever evolving chassis setup experience
4. Gaining increased engine tuning experience
5. Clutch setup experience for conditions

If anyone has conquered all of these you might as well quit and be my full time mechanic, we'll make a great team!!!

Practice makes.......Better

jamminnay

iTrader: (11)

imo.. loose tracks improve car control and lets face it that will never hurt!!

gubbs3

iTrader: (7)

#2 is what separates good drivers from great drivers. A great driver can learn the fast way around the track in just a few laps while a good driver must take time to learn where the best lines are. Have you ever seen someone who is really fast and then the track gets blown out and they hit the same hole every lap and flip their car? I race with a guy who has very little offroad experience who is amazing with a 1/12 scale (partially sponsored) but in offroad he is having trouble adapting to the track. That puts him from the usual podium on carpet back to getting lapped in intermediate buggy.


I love gas truck on a dusty track! Everything is easy after that.

Furadi

I practice on a dry track with bald tires as to not ruin my race tires. I find that its just improves my driving all around. I have to focus on throttle control mainly. Then come race day, When I have tires and traction I can just get on it and go. Sure I have to adjust to the drastic change in track surface but it usually doesn't take more than 2 laps.

KSimmonds

iTrader: (18)

Anytime you can run your car it's going to be beneficial in the long run. Learning how it reacts to various conditions and input is always helpful. The more time behind the wheel, the better as far as I'm concerned.

Briguy

iTrader: (125)

+1

Learning what your car does and reacts is the best thing you can do , whether on a prepped track or not . You want to know what your car will do before even getting to that jump or obstacle .

jgtruggy

I agree with all these posts. Practice whenever. You'll become faster in the long run I promise

pl_unc86

iTrader: (17)

+1

Track time is all that matters, regardless of the condition of the track...it can only make you faster

petevette

iTrader: (13)

Thanks guys, good feedback. You mentioned some things I hadn't considered.