270 replies to this topic

[Michael Colangelo]

Here's a question for Todd:

 

What should an amateur driver look for in a driver coach?  How do you choose the right one?

[Jim Drago]

Dear driver coach

I see a lot of drivers making this tomahawk motion in their car, it usually comes right after they lock up all four tires and slide under me in a corner forcing me to lift before entering a straight ? Or I often see it when they blow by me at every opportunity, they then blow a corner and I go back passed.. only to see the same move mentioned above, followed by the same tomahawk chop motion What the hell does that mean and has anyone ever really decided not to pass because it was given by the leading driver  

[Todd Lamb]

Here's a question for Todd:

 

What should an amateur driver look for in a driver coach?  How do you choose the right one?

 

Good question Michael.

 

Certainly experience, especially in the type of cars you're looking for coaching in. There are some subtle (or perhaps not so subtle) differences in the way you need to drive a momentum car vs a high horsepower car, FWD vs AWD vs RWD, etc.

 

I would also recommend getting references from others who have received coaching from a coach you're interested in.

 

Coaches don't have to necessarily be fast to be effective at teaching, and fast drivers are not necessarily good at coaching. Some are both. Some are neither.

 

Also the level of coaching you want may come into play. There are DE "instructors" that can help with some of the basics, and less experienced coaches that can help you jump up your performance a notch or two, and there are professional coaches that can do it all and get you over your next hurdle or plateau.

 

Also there are the intangible aspects: how well you relate on a personal level to the coach, how well they can explain things to make sense to YOU, and how well their advice fits with your mindset. The more experience a coach has, the more likely they are to have a full box of tools and tricks to help you.

[Todd Lamb]

I feel like I've heard this today on the phone...

WWBFCD?

 

Dear driver coach

I see a lot of drivers making this tomahawk motion in their car, it usually comes right after they lock up all four tires and slide under me in a corner forcing me to lift before entering a straight ? Or I often see it when they blow by me at every opportunity, they then blow a corner and I go back passed.. only to see the same move mentioned above, followed by the same tomahawk chop motion What the hell does that mean and has anyone ever really decided not to pass because it was given by the leading driver

[Jim Drago]

I feel like I've heard this today on the phone...

WWBFCD?

loll.. I was watching a few videos and seeing the same thing

[Michael Colangelo]

Thanks, Todd!

[Richard Astacio]

Tod, 

 

  I was watching Selin Video for this past weekend race, and he seems like he is always adjusting and compensating more than others with the steering wheel.  

When I first started racing the instruction was always smooth steering, etc.

I also attended a driving school at Road Atlanta this past winter and the Senior instructor critiqued the younger instructor driving style and also critiqued his steering wheel movement.  

Is this the change of times? Where the younger drivers are a little more aggressive with the steering wheel movement and the older generation wants a smoother steering input. 

What's your take?

[Todd Lamb]

Smooth steering is the fastest, has the least degradation on the tires, and in some cases the least impact on an overloaded power steering system (obviously not an issue in SM, but we had big issues with this in Conti series on the Mazdaspeed3).

 

I've watched all the front runner's videos from Road Atlanta. It seemed like the track was not what most were expecting on Sunday for race 2. Lots of cars dancing around, looking a little too loose. I'm guessing Selin was fighting the handling a little bit.

[MotoFusi]

Todd, why do I suck? Oh never mind Caveman tells me every time I talk to him

[Todd Lamb]

You need a website.

[MotoFusi]

I've heard that will make me faster. All the fast guys have one.............LOL  I'm pretty sure I need a new car. It can't be me right?