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Re: Laguna Seca

To: ba-autox@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Laguna Seca
From: Dennis Hale <dhale_510@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2000 08:44:45 -0800 (PST)
Turns 10 and 6 at Laguna Seca are serious pucker
turns. You would never guess this from watching races
on the hill but that's where the biological ground
effects muscles are working the hardest.
Both are very car dependent turns. Something graceful
with lightweight and great balance, say a Formula
Ford, a Skippy car, an antique 7, or possibly a
stiffened Miata or 510 will dance through with almost
no lift. A heavier or more powerful car will require a
um different technique. Larry's Corvette qualifies as
the latter on both accounts.
Car positioning is very important, a little track
topology understanding goes a long way in both turns.
It is great sport to walk a track. Interesting only
pros and autocrossers walk the tracks.... Both turns
have a sweet spot that is very late, a slight dip and
berm effect that is truely fun to catch and
frightening to miss. Seriously important late power on
apex turns as John says. Katie could find it, maybe
wouldn't even know she was looking for it. Genetics?
Prenatal conditioning?
It is very interesting that in last year's R&T
analysis of Mario Andretti taking Peter Egan for a
ride in the "two headed monster" Indy demo car that he
UPSHIFTS and accellerates from 114mph to 133mph around
10. Navid don't claim to do that stunt! Nor me 8-].
Even Mario lifts and slows for 6, well from 156 to
153. Yeh, if my 510 went over 75 there I bet I would
need to slow down too....
You just don't get this good stuff on computer toys
guys, you gotta do the deed. More fun than a speeding
ticket too.

=====
Dennis Hale

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