In a message dated 6/21/00 10:10:19 AM Central Daylight Time, solo-2@juno.com
writes:
> Twice this year, I have been able to pull off that great final run.
> In both cases, I was late in the run group,.and all of my tough
competition
> was done for the day. One time I was in a solid second place with my best
> points so far in class, so I basically went for it with nothing to lose. I
> went much faster. I took the lead in class, and also moved up to 3rd on
our
> index standings. I have been running in the teens.
<< That is what I have been hearing. If you aren't in the lead
you might as well go for it. As you say nothing to lose
but if you pull it off it's worth it if not, well, it's a blown run.
You're still in 2nd or 3rd but so far I haven't pulled off a
miracle last run even when I was behind. But I do push much
harder and it helps me get a better feel for my car at 11 or
12/10ths. >>
When I am not in a good position is when I blow the final run.
It does help feel out the limits, but without another run to go on it can be
frustrating. We are putting on a fresh set of tires for this weekend, hoping
it helps. This is also very psycological, if you believe it will help, it
just might ;-) When I put the camber bolts in, I was so sure it was going to
be better, I just drove it, but oops, I didn't adjust tire pressures for the
difference, and the car pushed worse. Of course I didn't realize that was the
problem until the day was over.
Being able to pull off that 10/10ths run every time is everyones goal, and
there are many ways to try for it, but even the best mis from time to time.
> The other time I was already in the class lead, so I pused it again
> with nothing to lose. I chopped off about a half second and moved from
> 15th or so to 11th on the index standings. The last two events, I ran
earlier
> in the group and my competition did to me what I did to them. I got pushed
> back to third as they did their last runs while I just sat and watched.
<< Well I guess that's the way the game is played but
imagine if you could be consistantly that good. That is what
I am striving for. >>
I can think of a coules names right off. Mark Dadio probably tops the list.
Jeff Cashmore is also one of my targets, especially since I run against him
fairly often, and we drive the same car. Being beat by almost 2 seconds on
the first run can be discouraging. I usually improve more than Jeff, but the
last time out, he even chopped off a good chunk on his last run. Once again I
over cooked the last one. It was still clean, but the tire scrubbing in a
long sweeper sure slowed the overall time.
> Maybe I should always line up at the end of the run order??
> Too bad my competitors are trying to do the same.
<< Get a high number that will work. But I prefer to be near the
beginning of the run order, maybe that'll change down the
road but I'm having a lot of fun in my first year. >>
At local events, it is wherever you line up in the grid.
At the big events, I run mid pack with 42. Maybe I should ask for 90's ;-)
Some of our local "Hot Shoes" go out and run a crazy first run whacking a
bunch of cones and all just to feel out where the limits are on the course.
Then they slow down just enough to not go over the edge. It sure is funny to
look at the results and se them move from 40th in class to a top 5 on the
final run at Nationals. I have tried to do that, but it does not work for me.
I usually run all my runs clean. Obviously not pushing hard enough.
My wife and I are both taking another Evolution/McKamey school again this
year just before nationals. I always come out of them alot faster, but if you
don't keep working on what they teach, you do lose some of the edge. I know
after my runs when I do something wrong. Too late of course.
When I took my first Phase 1 a couple years back, I went from an also ran to
a top 20 runner. Compared to some very consistent drivers, I chopped off over
2 seconds after the Phase 1. The first 2 seconds were reletively easy, I have
been spending the better part of 3 years to get one more second to be a Top 5
driver. So far I have done it just once with the 3rd a few weeks ago.
Gary M.
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