Rich reponded to MJ's question:
>
>> I think I understand but I have a question as well (seriously) What if you
>> have changed the set up on your car(or probably worse, your in an unfamiliar
>> car) how/what do you adjust to try and optimize your run while attempting to
>> analyze the setup/ strange car?
>
>Personally, I drive a bit conservatively and strive for
>consistency between runs when making changes to
>the car, preferably on a course I've already run a
>few times.
>
>And, frankly, I can't relate to the part of your question
>about unfamiliar cars. If I was competing in one I suspect
>I might do some nonoptimal things to test the handling
>during the first run. In fact, I often do that anyway to
>test the course.
>Rich Urschel
Let me tell you how I "master" an unfamiliar car.
For "handling-evaluation-purposes", Rich asked me to drive his
roller-skate-handling Elan one day. Out of the first turn I charged into the
four or five cone slalom and navigated it with great consistancy. After
being used to my "tank", I managed to turn-in too early and drive over every
slalom cone. The rest of that run got better, as, I think, I only hit
another half dozen cones. Next run was clean (or cleaner) and I ran what I
thought was a respectable time. By then I'm sure Rich was sorry he had asked
for my (no help) help and decided to try a new tack. He, next, asked Andrew
McKee to drive the Elan. Andy, promptly, went two seconds faster than my
better run and, as I recall, faster than Rich's best.
So, my advice on one way to "master" an unfamiliar car is to let Andy drive
it, it'll be less embarrassing for you!
Don
P.S. That experience was really fun and I've gotten lots of enjoyment and
experience driving unfamiliar cars. Sometimes I've even been able to
provide, what I think was, some helpful feedback to the owner either on
driving technique (owner as passenger) or car set-up. Love the opportunity
to be able to do that.
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