LAC video--maybe I'm getting old, but this ride made me queasy

[Brett Dikeman]

Bernie Strub wrote:

>Alex sed:
>  
>
>>One thing I would like to see is more sanctioned events for drivers who
>>    
>>
>like to push their cars, under saner circumstances.
>
>Your local chapter of ACNA can help you out.  I believe there are over 70
>ACNA sanctioned events to be held this year.  And if your local track has
>become too boring, try some others.  Recent experience at Brainerd leads me
>to believe there are some **very** exciting tracks out there!!!
>  
>
ACNA events are not for "pushing your car".  They are for learning.  
That doesn't mean you won't have fun (I haven't met a person yet who 
hasn't had a blast), but you certainly won't have fun if you go into it 
with the wrong mindset.

They are not for irresponsible driving.  They are for driving:
-under prearranged, well-thought-out rules to minimize unsafe conditions 
and so everyone knows what to expect from everyone else
-with people of the same skill level to cut down on passing and again, 
everyone knows what to expect from everyone else
-with 'eyes' working for you, aka corner workers
-with the preparation of group classroom instruction and one-on-one 
in-car instruction with a knowledgeable, experienced driver who has 
proven him or herself not just as a driver but an educator as well
-in an environment where track features will help you if things go 
really wrong (like runoff area, gravel traps, energy-absorbing barriers, 
etc) more than brick walls and telephone poles will
-with access to emergency services on-site if things go really, really, 
really wrong.

You don't go to learn to drive fast, you go to learn to drive.  Speed 
comes as a byproduct.  If you're planning on going to an ACNA event with 
the mindset of "let's see how fast my _____ is with this chip and that 
swaybar and this tire"...do everyone (yourself included) a favor and 
stay home.  You want to play Speed Racer? Go to the drag strip or autocross.

Why?  Because your ego is going to be crushed when a better driver in a 
car you think is slower than you passes you; then you're going to get 
blinded by red mist thinking, "that's just a _____, I can catch him"; 
then at the next turn, depending on your luck, you're either going to 
scare yourself, or put an end to your weekend.  Except there's someone 
else in your car with you (your instructor) and there are others around 
you (your fellow participants, track workers, etc).

I know Bernie didn't say ACNA events are for irresponsible behavior, but 
given the context of the discussion thread, I felt it was important to 
elaborate and make it clear ACNA events are NOT an outlet for yahoo 
driving antics.

You will have fun, and you will leave a better driver than you came in.  
You don't need to buy fancy pads or shocks or tires; the less you have 
to work with, the more apparent it becomes when you're not using it 
right.  You don't need a chip, a turbo, or an Audi made in the last 10 
years to have fun...you don't even need an Audi, most of the events are 
open to anyone as long as they're an ACNA member and meet the rules for 
their rungroup.  All you really need is a car that is mechanically 
sound/safe, trust in your instructor, and a willingness to learn (and 
set aside bad habits!)

Brett
(not speaking for the club or region, not an instructor, blah blah yadda 
yadda)

-- 
"They that give up essential liberty to obtain temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Ben Franklin
http://www.users.cloud9.net/~brett/