What makes u a better driver????
#16

yep...its easy to put fast laps in here and there but it takes much more to put in a whole 5 mins of fast laps.
#17

I don't know so much about it being about tires because I think that if you can run fast on worn out tires, you'd be wicked fast with fresh ones. I do agree with what everyone else has said, though, and that's practice!! Even if you don't have time to make it out to the track during the week racing will give you good practice and experience.

#18
Tech Initiate

patience is a virtue sometimes overlooked in racing.......
and oh yeah... PRACTICE!!!!
and oh yeah... PRACTICE!!!!

#19

To stay consistant is simply to maintain your stuff....do the same thing all the time. I always clean my car between the race weekend. Rebuild your shocks, true your comm. The more you take care of your car, the more it will take care of you.
Oh yeah....and PRACTICE! Take full advantage of the practice time before the race and any free time you have on the weekend.
Oh yeah....and PRACTICE! Take full advantage of the practice time before the race and any free time you have on the weekend.
#20
Tech Elite

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#21

My advice would be listen to what all the FAST GUYS say at your track. They know what they are talking about, since more than likely they've been into this for awhile. I would also say lots of track time and then with that comes consistancy! If ya don't need to get marshalled, it knocks ALOT of time off your runs.

#22

Originally posted by lazyeh
My advice would be listen to what all the FAST GUYS say at your track. They know what they are talking about, since more than likely they've been into this for awhile. I would also say lots of track time and then with that comes consistancy! If ya don't need to get marshalled, it knocks ALOT of time off your runs.
My advice would be listen to what all the FAST GUYS say at your track. They know what they are talking about, since more than likely they've been into this for awhile. I would also say lots of track time and then with that comes consistancy! If ya don't need to get marshalled, it knocks ALOT of time off your runs.

Also racing with people that are faster than you greatly improves your skill. Too many people hang around in the spec class or whatever they can win every week, and then wonder why they don't get faster. It forces you to get faster by racing faster people. Ask anyone that goes to their first national or large event and then comes back to their home club, and runs a lap faster. Don't push yourself beyond your limits because I have done that before and looked stupid, but make sure you are challenging yourself enough as well.
#23

I might have overlooked it, but if no one else has said it....practice is pretty important

#24
Tech Master

Originally posted by Patriiick
a fast steering servo also helps..
That blew my mind when i switched from my sloooow servo
a fast steering servo also helps..
That blew my mind when i switched from my sloooow servo

#25

ya that's true I switched from a Craptec to a Futaba S9404 and it make a HUGE difference!
#26

Given what a big factor driving skill is in the overall equation; it is sad how little helpful information/discussion there is on the subject of driving.
Of course practice is key. But, repetedly praticing the same bad lines, using too little or too much brakes or throttle, is going to be a lot less helpful.
Of course practice is key. But, repetedly praticing the same bad lines, using too little or too much brakes or throttle, is going to be a lot less helpful.
#27

Some of you brought up a good point....the equipment while not the most improtant thing to good driving, helps a bunch. A standard servo, old (weak mangets, burnt winds, 40 runs w/o a cut) motors and cruddy batteries won't get you into "racing" conditions. Sometimes, updated and or better stuff makes driving a bit easier and in some cases makes you faster.
A few years ago, I as well went from a mid-range servo to a top of the line and my driving instnatly got better. If you're not steering right, thats gonna hold you back a lot.
Ask your track director if on a practice day you can mark the track. Nothing permant, but just so you can start learning your points. The key is to consistantly hit your points every turn of every lap.
A few years ago, I as well went from a mid-range servo to a top of the line and my driving instnatly got better. If you're not steering right, thats gonna hold you back a lot.
Ask your track director if on a practice day you can mark the track. Nothing permant, but just so you can start learning your points. The key is to consistantly hit your points every turn of every lap.
#28

Originally posted by mafiaracers
A few years ago, I as well went from a mid-range servo to a top of the line and my driving instnatly got better. If you're not steering right, thats gonna hold you back a lot.
A few years ago, I as well went from a mid-range servo to a top of the line and my driving instnatly got better. If you're not steering right, thats gonna hold you back a lot.

Originally posted imjonah
Given what a big factor driving skill is in the overall equation; it is sad how little helpful information/discussion there is on the subject of driving.
Given what a big factor driving skill is in the overall equation; it is sad how little helpful information/discussion there is on the subject of driving.
#29

Dont forget to practice. (something I need stacks of!)
I come from a Karting background racing semi-professionally around Australia and achieving some OK results, so I know a little about this... There is a *lot* in the mental state of the driver. Lack of Concentration and Brain Fades where you loose concentration for a split second or even a few seconds can loose you the race when things are competitive. Even more so in something like Model Car racing where Marshalls etc come into play, and the racing is closer.
There is documents on the web about practicing the mental concentration required to complete a race, by sitting (or standing as the case may be) and visualising the whole race mentally as if you were actually doing the driving for real. It is said that you can practice like this and it is as good as the real thing.
Its been a number of years since reading these documents, but there is some definant truths in some of it.
Most of us are actually our own worst enemy on the track.
I come from a Karting background racing semi-professionally around Australia and achieving some OK results, so I know a little about this... There is a *lot* in the mental state of the driver. Lack of Concentration and Brain Fades where you loose concentration for a split second or even a few seconds can loose you the race when things are competitive. Even more so in something like Model Car racing where Marshalls etc come into play, and the racing is closer.
There is documents on the web about practicing the mental concentration required to complete a race, by sitting (or standing as the case may be) and visualising the whole race mentally as if you were actually doing the driving for real. It is said that you can practice like this and it is as good as the real thing.
Its been a number of years since reading these documents, but there is some definant truths in some of it.
Most of us are actually our own worst enemy on the track.
#30

Originally posted by T-Money86mcss
Practicing is best, but just running your car a lot won't necessarily make you a better driver. You have to realize the things you are doing right as well as what you are doing wrong when driving, so that you can adjust. Having someone else watch you run can be really helpful, as other people can sometimes notice what you are doing wrong and give advice: entry into corners, lines, throttle control, ect.
Practicing is best, but just running your car a lot won't necessarily make you a better driver. You have to realize the things you are doing right as well as what you are doing wrong when driving, so that you can adjust. Having someone else watch you run can be really helpful, as other people can sometimes notice what you are doing wrong and give advice: entry into corners, lines, throttle control, ect.
I'm with you on this one
