Buddy Ahlers wrote...
>
> I just got back from driving my first banked oval
> today. I thought it wouldn't be quite as much fun as
> it actually was.
Were you alone out there or with other cars? Things get REALLY busy when
you've got other drivers to contend with.
> I drove a pro challenge truck (kinda like a legends
> car, but with a truck body on it.)
I'm a Legends driver. I think those trucks are a little bigger then what I
drive.
> Then I spun, and broke the darn
> starter...game over.
Remember, "In a spin - two feet in." Push the clutch and brake. Clutching
will disengage the drivetrain and prevent the starter from detonating and
braking will prevent the wheels from turning in case you miss the clutch,
and it keeps you from backing into the wall or other cars.
>
> Has anyone else ever had that happen?
If the rear end "snapped" on you then you were probably on the brakes a
little too hard going into the corner. Could have been on cold tires also.
Trick is, take your first lap relatively slow, build up speed on each
sucessive lap. Warm up your tires and brakes, get a feel for the car, find
a breaking point then start pushing that further down the track. Remember
to let your car "roll" through the corner and ease on the gas as soon as you
can.
> I think I could
> handle it if I got a chance to practice a little more,
That's all it takes - practice and seat time.
> but it was really intimidating to have the walls right
> there at all times.
Oval racing can be fun. You're right on the limit of traction a lot more on
an oval then a road course. Most of the tracks appear to be quite narrow
when you're out there. Plus, you've got to get around the place as quick as
you can with a bunch of other guys doing the same thing.
This is my third year in Legends (first post to this list), I don't have
plans for any road racing but would like to try my hand at some Autocross
which is why I've been following the list. If anyone out there has some
experience with Legends and AutoX I wouldn't mind hearing from you.
Tom Adis
www.pinetreeracing.com
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