Brian M Kennedy wrote:
> 2) I noticed some people spraying liquid on their tires between runs.
> What is that? What rules are there regarding that?
> For example, can I spray my tires with sticky stuff?
> How about with 180'F water? How about with 180'F sticky stuff?
> Is that kind of thing in the rulebook?
That's just water. Sometimes these tires can overheat on a hot day with
multiple drivers, so a little water right after a run brings them down
to a reasonable temperature for the next run.
> 4) How about that optional slalom on Saturday? Which way was better?
> Most people started on the left, only a few on the right -- but
> several of those few won their classes. Starting on the right
> made the slalom one cone longer and made the left after the
> slalom much tighter. However, it was the shorter path and one
> less braking zone. Starting on the left allowed you to carry
> your speed longer before braking to start the slalom, and allowed
> you a better line for the following left -- but you still had to
> brake to set up for the left. Anyone care to analyze their choice
> now with hindsight?
In hindsight, I shoulda gone on the right on Saturday. After Friday
night's walks, I was fully planning to go right. But then while I was
trying to fall asleep and replaying the course in my mind, I couldn't
make going right seem even remotely smooth, it just felt awful. So,
come Saturday morning, left was the plan. But in retrospect, I think
right would have been faster (that conclusion is drawn mostly from how
fast those who went right managed to go).
But it's rare to have a truly optional slalom like that. I'll bet it
worked out to about 50% drivers went left, 50% went right ...
> 5) How about that optional slalom on Sunday? (The same optional
> slalom, but now in reverse.) In this case, most people switched
> the side of the slalom they attacked. Is that because they
> changed their mind based on Saturday? Or because the differences
> of the right entry before the slalom or the short straight into
> the finish at the end of the slalom?? Anyone care to analyze
> their choice now with hindsight?
It wasn't quite the same -- one cone was removed! If you went right, it
was just a brake stab before the right hander, then flat out to the
finish. Left was longer and would have required more finesse to
maintain max speed.
> 8) What things were different about the Texas NT vs. most others?
> Any peculiarities?
Except for not getting done Saturday until after 7pm (I suppose the
problem was simply that there was too much time between cars), I thought
it was a very typical National Tour. Great fun, great competitors,
great party! I think I must may go back to Texas for another one :-)
Even though I coned myself out of a trophy ...
Josh
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