people who are at the stage of needing help learning a track, probably arent
in the higher climbs of the sim racing drivers leagues. These drivers are
still learning to use to use there brush and paints, once they have mastered
these they find gains on the canvas. Ive been at this stage and extra track
knowledge in the sim racing world wouldnt help a bean, no tracks a problem
once you can paint, best worrying about learning to paint rather than
worrying about what canvas you choose to paint on. Kinda getting one step
ahead of yourself in the career of the average sim driver....
Where variables such as weather, heat etc comes into play some of your
points are valid in respect to "real world" racing....but lets not confuse
that with the current level of simulations....
David
> > David....
> > You should not come home from work and "drink n' post".......its just as
> bad
> > as drinking and dialing, I think.
> > But, since you have......let me counter your points:
> > 1. In the real world of racing...at the highest levels, pretty much
every
> > driver is fast, has excellent car control and relatively equal knowledge
> of
> > racecraft. If not totally equal, its close enough. Setting aside
> > in-equality of equipment or the preparation thereof, the driver who wins
> is
> > the one who "best knows the canvas." That would be, in your
> > analogy......the race track. If the skills are relatively equal, then
its
> > the application thereof, that sets apart the winners and the
> losers......at
> > least that's how it works on any given Sunday on this country's race
> tracks.
> > 2. In any discipline (music, sport, theater, dance) at the highest
> > levels.....the true standouts are those that find unique ways to apply
> their
> > tools.....to the medium. All have basic skills at equal levels....when
> you
> > are among the best of the best. Even Eric Clapton (strange you would
> choose
> > an English guitarist...but that's another point) could not pick up a
> strange
> > piece of music.....and "play it like a master" within minutes. To your
> ears
> > perhaps? But, not to the ears of the other masters! And, my
> > friend.....that is who Eric would be playing for.
> > You see David.....I think you have it just ass backwards. The
> "arena"....or
> > the skillful understanding and use of it......is what sets the masters
> apart
> > from each other. Not their skill levels...which are equal....and
equally
> > high....for the most part. Among the best drivers of the world.....it
is
> > "track knowledge" (on any given day) that separates the winners from the
> > losers.
> > I can guarantee you Jimmy Clark was not "just a skillful race car
driver."
> > His peers were just as skillful, IMHO. What Jimmy did was work hard at
> > learning his canvas.....the tracks he raced on. He knew them in every
> > infinite detail. And, "yes," David.....Jimmy Clark was known for
walking
> > tracks backwards....in order to study their subtle nuances. I really
hope
> > you will dispute me on this fact!
> > Have a good evening, David. Hope you don't have a hangover
> > tomorrow.............
> > Cheeri'o Old Chap......
> > Tom
> > > P.S i suppose my sentament against Toms comments are:
> > > Like an Artist, once you have learned to paint with your brush (the
car)
> > to
> > > the highest levels you can paint on any canvas (track). But learning
to
> > use
> > > your brush (car) and paints (setups) is the bit that matters, the bit
> > that
> > > is the hardest. The canvas doesnt matter but the use of brush and
paints
> > > does....
> > > Same for a guitar player, it takes 10years to learn to play a guitar
> like
> > > Eric Clapton, but once you have, you can pickup any sheet of music
> (track)
> > > and play it like a master within minutes....
> > > Same for everything most things in life infact, the arena isnt
important
> > but
> > > the skills to you use there are the most important part.....
> > > Track knowledge isnt the key to fast laps, but a maximum handle and
> > control
> > > over your vehicle is, as once you have handle over your car, you can
> > quickly
> > > find the limit of a track....where as without the best knowledge of
your
> > > car, you are playing with your own limits in driving ability rather
than
> > > physical limits of the racetrack...
> > > David
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > --
> > > ----
> > > > Guys.....
> > > > If you are struggling to learn to race at Sears Point....here's a
> "tool"
> > > you
> > > > have as a sim racer that real-world drivers don't have: Run it
> > backwards!
> > > > Go into a "Testing Session"....run the track in the opposite
> direction.
> > > > You'll need to use a stop watch for your lap times....but that's not
> > > > unreasonable. Besides being a total blast of a track to run
backwards
> > > (and
> > > > a completely different track than it is forwards)....you'll gain
> > valuable
> > > > insight as to what the car wants.....at certain parts of the track
> > because
> > > > of the elevation changes. You'll have a better "feel" for the track
> in
> > > all
> > > > places........and you'll have fun doing it. Get your backwards lap
> > times
> > > > close to your forward lap times....and you find the later start to
> come
> > > > crashing down. When ever I'm trying to get myself prepared for an
> > online
> > > > race at Sears....I always start with running a dozen laps or so
> > > > backwards......its perfect for getting my head into the track.
> > > > By the way, this works great at Watkins Glen too.
> > > > Have fun....give it a try.
> > > > TP