• Registered: 2009-09-01
  • Posts: 405

Re: Are you a "good" driver??

In context as a Lemons racer, I have one session of one race to determine how "good a driver I am",  since our team was booted before I was able to race the second day. So since I did not get one on-track black flag when I was in the car and my lap times were respectable compared to our team hot shoe, I would say I'm at least a decent Lemons racer.  What helps me most is previous track time on the tracks Lemons runs on.  That probably gives me more advantage over fellow racers than any ability I may or may not posses. There is little substitute for seat time and track time to make you a better driver.

  • Riktor
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  • Registered: 2009-08-06
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Re: Are you a "good" driver??

We are the best hot lapper's you'll ever know... unfortunately we have the attention span of a gnat and tend to follow blinking red lights... sometimes toooo closely.

Sons of STIG
Judge Jonny, "So, what's the next formerly thought to be immune from winning that will steal the nickels?An MR2? A Fierro (ha ha ha)? A Datsun/Nissan Z? A Camaro?"
  • m610
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  • From: Esparto, CA
  • Registered: 2009-12-12
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Re: Are you a "good" driver??

I don't know how I'd rate myself. I've got about 50 track days behind me, only two spins ever, and they trust me enough to instruct newbies. I even did a bit of side-by-side in those track days, but I've never raced. It takes me about 2 20-minute sessions on a new track before I start trying to see how fast I can drive them.

I'd add maybe two more items to the list of things to consider, and that is taking care of the car even as you drive the life out of it, and how quickly you can learn a new track, and adjust to changing conditions. OK, three.

That said, I watched the "Estate" videos a number of times (had to, I was editing them) and you can really see the differences in the drivers, and I was really impressed with whoever it was who was driving the first stint on Saturday. He never struggled with the car, was fast, and drove really smart. Lemons gives you plenty of opportunity to get yourself into a bad situations involving really inexperienced drivers.

Momentum is a terrible thing to waste.
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  • From: Pleasanton, CA
  • Registered: 2009-09-02
  • Posts: 352

Re: Are you a "good" driver??

Our entire team is full of big dreaming Days of Thunder wannabe driving gods.

In reality, we're a bunch of "you shoulda stayed at the go-kart Grand Prix" losers.

I race first to be clean...  Cuz I'd rather be on the track in the middle of the pack then turn fast laps and sit in front of Jonny and Phil.

(4 out of 6 on our team failed to realize this during the last race...)

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craznoe's Website

  • From: Rockford, IL
  • Registered: 2010-01-25
  • Posts: 2

Re: Are you a "good" driver??

I'm a horrible driver...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8ehC9K122A

www.nackersz33.blogspot.com

Nackers's Website

  • From: Long Beach, CA
  • Registered: 2009-06-14
  • Posts: 294

Re: Are you a "good" driver??

My first time on a track was Lemons Altamont '06. 
This is the only racing I've ever known. 
Therefore, I'd have to say that I'm both an idiot and likely a terrible driver.

-Kyle
Eyesore Racing
"That's probably wrong, but it's worth a shot."

wrappedinbacon's Website

  • From: Choctaw, Oklahoma
  • Registered: 2009-11-12
  • Posts: 2,145

Re: Are you a "good" driver??

I may not be the fastest driver out there, but I know I can drive a wider variety of vehicles faster than most. Car? Check. Truck? Check. 2-ton stake truck? Check. Forklift? Hell, I'm the Mario Andretti of forklifts; the real question is have you ever partaken in a bomblift race? Check. Sea-Doo? Check.

I suppose some time I'll have to learn how to ride a motorcycle so I can add that to the list.

And I suppose learning to drive fast safely would be a good thing.

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Re: Are you a "good" driver??

EriktheAwful wrote:

Forklift? Hell, I'm the Mario Andretti of forklifts; the real question is have you ever partaken in a bomblift race?

We caught you in action...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmbxj3352IM

Sons of STIG
Judge Jonny, "So, what's the next formerly thought to be immune from winning that will steal the nickels?An MR2? A Fierro (ha ha ha)? A Datsun/Nissan Z? A Camaro?"
  • From: Kansas City
  • Registered: 2010-02-10
  • Posts: 265

Re: Are you a "good" driver??

I've run a formula car for 12 years and I think I'm a good driver.  My definition of a good driver is someone who is smooth, consistent, and predictable.  I hate it when guys take a different line around the track every lap.  If you are the overtaking car, there's no telling where they will be when attempting the pass.

Nice forklift video....man I feel sorry for the poor crew who had to pick up the mess.

Greg
Team Skid Steer
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  • From: Gilbertsville, PA
  • Registered: 2009-12-22
  • Posts: 3,251

Re: Are you a "good" driver??

Lemonious Monk wrote:

I hate it when guys take a different line around the track every lap.  If you are the overtaking car, there's no telling where they will be when attempting the pass.

That's what you call "defensive driving"

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  • From: San Diego, CA
  • Registered: 2009-04-30
  • Posts: 1,640

Re: Are you a "good" driver??

fizzer wrote:
DaveH wrote:

I used to think I was good.  Then we got this guy named "Kurt" on our team and now I feel inferior.  I still whoop his ass at the autocross though.

Yeah, road racing is easy.  Autocross takes some real talent.  I just have more balls than brains, that's why I kick your butts on the track wink

I was a decent autocrosser, then I started road racing (first HPDEs, then five Lemons races) and when I went back to autocross, I totally sucked. Don't know what happened, but I seem to be pretty decent at road racing if lap times are any indication.

But it's okay, as my friend says, autocross is the handjob of motorsports.

The Homer: Powerful like a gorilla, yet soft and yielding like a Nerf ball.
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Re: Are you a "good" driver??

Lemonious Monk wrote:

I've run a formula car for 12 years and I think I'm a good driver.  My definition of a good driver is someone who is smooth, consistent, and predictable.  I hate it when guys take a different line around the track every lap.  If you are the overtaking car, there's no telling where they will be when attempting the pass.

Don't get near me then... big_smile

Sons of STIG
Judge Jonny, "So, what's the next formerly thought to be immune from winning that will steal the nickels?An MR2? A Fierro (ha ha ha)? A Datsun/Nissan Z? A Camaro?"

38 Reply by OhioMark (edited by OhioMark 2010-02-11 10:27 AM)

  • Registered: 2009-12-22
  • Posts: 170

Re: Are you a "good" driver??

Riktor,

I'd probably be lapping you for the 5000th time anyhow so I'd figure
your style / patterns out at some point! If not, I'd give you a little help
to get you out of the way aka the "Nascar bump" etc.......

Mark

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Re: Are you a "good" driver??

OhioMark wrote:

Riktor,

I'd probably be lapping you for the 5000th time anyhow so I'd figure
your style / patterns out at some point! If not, I'd give you a little help
to get you out of the way aka the "Nascar bump" etc.......

Mark

Uh huh... And what races are you doing this year?

Sons of STIG
Judge Jonny, "So, what's the next formerly thought to be immune from winning that will steal the nickels?An MR2? A Fierro (ha ha ha)? A Datsun/Nissan Z? A Camaro?"
  • From: Houston, TX
  • Registered: 2010-02-10
  • Posts: 150

Re: Are you a "good" driver??

"Good" driver is subjective, as the title implies, but there are a lot of good responses.

I'm young, I've been drag racing since I was 14 and hit a few autocrosses as well, but never stepped up to true wheel-to-wheel open track racing until last year's Gator-O-Rama.

Good driver in the sense that I kept the car on track, wasn't black flagged, didn't drive like a dick(hopefully) and didn't trade any paint. 

Track times, not sure where they were, but I'd guess right in the middle as I passed some people and was passed by some of the faster cars.

It was a blast!

Team monstaRX-7: #91 1991 Mazda RX-7 convertible with a 5.0, WHAT COULD GO WRONG?
Races: 2010 Gator-O-Rama(DNF, blown motor, "Trailer on Saturday"), Oct 2011 Yee-Haw Its Lemons(actually finished the race! Judge's Choice)
  • From: north of dallas
  • Registered: 2009-11-29
  • Posts: 264

Re: Are you a "good" driver??

i guess we'll fnd out next weekend. my first trip to a Lemons event will be then.
if your faster than me, good for you, i'll wave as you pass me.

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Re: Are you a "good" driver??

I'm the slowest of my team but they are all trackday junkies.

I like another thing Jay Leno says

"I like sex but I don't want to a pornstar I like to drive but not a racecar driver"

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  • Riktor
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Re: Are you a "good" driver??

fabtoys wrote:

I'm the slowest of my team but they are all trackday junkies.

I like another thing Jay Leno says

"I like sex but I don't want to a pornstar I like to drive but not a racecar driver"

For once I have to disagree with Leno... I want both.

Sons of STIG
Judge Jonny, "So, what's the next formerly thought to be immune from winning that will steal the nickels?An MR2? A Fierro (ha ha ha)? A Datsun/Nissan Z? A Camaro?"
  • Registered: 2009-12-22
  • Posts: 170

Re: Are you a "good" driver??

Riktor,

I'll be at Nelson Ledges, Mid-Ohio & Beaverun this year.

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Re: Are you a "good" driver??

OhioMark wrote:

Riktor,

I'll be at Nelson Ledges, Mid-Ohio & Beaverun this year.

Pity... maybe next year then... Our car will be famous/infamous by then.

Sons of STIG
Judge Jonny, "So, what's the next formerly thought to be immune from winning that will steal the nickels?An MR2? A Fierro (ha ha ha)? A Datsun/Nissan Z? A Camaro?"

46 Reply by OhioMark (edited by OhioMark 2010-02-11 11:27 AM)

  • Registered: 2009-12-22
  • Posts: 170

Re: Are you a "good" driver??

Riktor,

I look forward to meeting you guys! My son is going to college this fall
and hopefully he'll take his car with him, thus opening up space in the
driveway so I can prep my Lemons car. My goal has always been 2011
since I can't give up racing my formula car with the SCCA. It's like
cocaine, hard to give up and always drawing you back in! My wife said
I'm addicted to racing, and wishes I would take up golf, but I'm addicted
to it and have made so many friends in the past 15 years that it's been
a great hobby!

Mark

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Re: Are you a "good" driver??

OhioMark wrote:

Riktor,

I look forward to meeting you guys! My son is going to college this fall
and hopefully he'll take his car with him, thus opening up space in the
driveway so I can prep my Lemons car. My goal has always been 2011
since I can't give up racing my formula car with the SCCA. It's like
cocaine, hard to give up and always drawing you back in! My wife said
I'm addicted to racing, and wishes I would take up golf, but I'm addicted
to it and have made so many friends in the past 15 years that it's been
a great hobby!

Mark

I feel your pain. There is nothing compared to open wheeled racing. The g's and adrenaline can't be matched. Especially the high speed reflexes required to be competative.

I think the people will make Lemons better than the standard events. But it should still fill the void and need for that high speed rush. Not to mention the unpredictability of un-experienced drivers. It'll keep us on our toes.

Sons of STIG
Judge Jonny, "So, what's the next formerly thought to be immune from winning that will steal the nickels?An MR2? A Fierro (ha ha ha)? A Datsun/Nissan Z? A Camaro?"
  • Registered: 2009-12-29
  • Posts: 33

Re: Are you a "good" driver??

Never been on a track, never been to a DE event.  My other hobbies have taught me to "stay ahead of the vehicle" but that will not make up for the total lack of experience in our (or any) vehicle on the track.