Dave Barker
07-04-2004, 08:05 PM
Many on you already know that last year the Bridgestone Racing Academy sponsored the Solo 1 series to the tune of 3 1/2 day lapping sessions in the F2000 cars , the first 2 going to the first 2 finishers in what was then the Action Front Data Recovery Solo 1 series and 1 to be given out as a door prize at the banquet.
The first and second place finishers were Chris Paczinski and Jeff Graves and the guy with the luck of the draw was me. The 3 of us got together and decided that we should all go on the same day which was a few weeks ago. As expected Krispy put out the fastest laps and Jeff was very close behind. while yours truly was VERY embarassed at how slow I was. The first session my car had a very lame engine which likely is a reasonable excuse but after some quick repairs , although I was somewhat faster, I still wasn't remotely close to those guys.
Interesting point on the discussion with the instructors afterwards, " Dave, you are turning in too early at corners 1,7,8,10 and 12". The way these cars are set up does not allow great grip (in particular with the non race rubber) and certainly mine understeered significantly, but my, they do turn in quickly. I don't think my turn in points would have been early in my Camaro but these things handle, well ...like a gokart with gears. While the Camaro would still be thinking about the input at the wheel, these formula cars have already turned in and taken a set and I am having to straighten the wheel BEFORE the apex. Then of course I am trying to get on the power early and the car just understeers its way to the outside of the track rather than rotating the way I am used to. In other words I totally sucked at this and hence my embarassment.
Anyway congrats Chris and Jeff. Maybe I can make it into vintage racing. (At least They never race at the DDT)
The first and second place finishers were Chris Paczinski and Jeff Graves and the guy with the luck of the draw was me. The 3 of us got together and decided that we should all go on the same day which was a few weeks ago. As expected Krispy put out the fastest laps and Jeff was very close behind. while yours truly was VERY embarassed at how slow I was. The first session my car had a very lame engine which likely is a reasonable excuse but after some quick repairs , although I was somewhat faster, I still wasn't remotely close to those guys.
Interesting point on the discussion with the instructors afterwards, " Dave, you are turning in too early at corners 1,7,8,10 and 12". The way these cars are set up does not allow great grip (in particular with the non race rubber) and certainly mine understeered significantly, but my, they do turn in quickly. I don't think my turn in points would have been early in my Camaro but these things handle, well ...like a gokart with gears. While the Camaro would still be thinking about the input at the wheel, these formula cars have already turned in and taken a set and I am having to straighten the wheel BEFORE the apex. Then of course I am trying to get on the power early and the car just understeers its way to the outside of the track rather than rotating the way I am used to. In other words I totally sucked at this and hence my embarassment.
Anyway congrats Chris and Jeff. Maybe I can make it into vintage racing. (At least They never race at the DDT)