The host of BBC's Top Gear is a grand fellow. This clip I posted on the 4-banger thread...he really does have the perfect job. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtDsAGd7uj8 Ryan's O/T's usually up the ante...in a way that I'm glad to see or learn, so Thanks Mr. Modern-Major Moderator!....or is it Major-General? Sorry! I've got Gilbert and Sullivan on the brain...which-ever cells are still firing anyway.
A friend of mine just downloaded like all the episodes of top gear for me, it's a stack of DVDs, I love that shoe so if no one hears from me for a while that's where I'll be.
That was interesting. I think it has a bit to do with our Kinesthetic Memory, something I leared about a back in human factors cl*** in hansome designer boy school. It's the "memory"stored in your muscles. Musicans use this a lot, you stop thinking about where your hands and feet go and what they do, they just do it. Like Colin Mcray's happy feet. It takes practice, but after a while the body starts to take over the actions that the brain had to control in the beginning.. cool stuff
Exactly... When I was in racing school, there were 2 types of guys: 1. The guy that was in the car 2. The guy that was 1000 feet in front of the car There is no way the former can compete with the latter on a race track.
Colin's good..... Ari Vatenen is awesome...this is a RWD, Non Turbo, Non ABS, No computer, low tech Opel Manta on The Manx Rally on the Isle of Man in the UK...in 1983....watch for the cattle grid near the end And this is him again at Pikes Peak....in 1988 Top Gear is fun.....
ive been REALLY getting into rally racing as of late....and now that NASA (national autosport ***oc.) is allowing bikes in thier rallys I signed up for the first one being held in South Carolina. whats amazing is people think "racing" is "racing".... and they think if they can get in a rally car they can drag race and visa versa....even the MX guys think they can ride enduros. Hell..I thoght i could ride a motorcycle on dirt because i can ride well on the street...boy was I wrong when I hit that first tree in that section of little sand. -Rob
It still amazes me that the average slob on the street doesn't think a racing driver is an athlete. Caffeine: I disagree a little. I think these days all forms of racing have become so specialzed that it is difficult for drivers to crossover. Also, these days at the top level, the sponsorship contracts won't allow drivers to do much racing outside their current series. In the past there were lots of guys that excelled in different series, sometimes at the same time. Mario Andretti was a top driver in sprint cars, indy cars and road racing all at the same time. Danny Ongais went from drag racing to indy cars and sports cars successfully. A.J. Foyt was another who did it all. John Surtees was world champion on two wheels and four and Mike Hailwood had a pretty good run in F1. Vic Elford went from being a rally navigator to a rally driver to a top sports car driver. There are lots more. The really top guys can go fast in anything almost immediately. Its that mysterious magic that some people have that pisses the hell out of those of us that don't have it. Kurt
"The really top guys can go fast in anything almost immediately" - Beach Bum I agree. Anyone remember the "Legends" race some years back where they had "name" drivers from several different venues (SCCA, NASCAR, USAC, etc.) racing half-million dollar Jaguar sports coupes? Drag racer Ed McCollough drove away from everyone. "I think it has a bit to do with our Kinesthetic Memory" - Nate I don't know about Kinesthetic memory, but are any of you familiar with the theory of "flow states", where people's minds move into another realm (as when people describe the sensation of time slowing way down during an accident) allowing them to perform astounding feats? Some say that happens to certain race drivers. I met drag racer and land speed driver Gary Gabelich once, and just looking him in the eyes while we shook hands convinced me I was seeing someone who had a far different perspective and at***ude about going fast than I did. I also recall reading a story once about a fellow who was trying to make it in big time motorcyle road racing. After doing very well in several local races, he stepped up to the national level - and while in qualifying practice he downshifted to approach a particularly gnarly corner, then notice that most everyone else had upshifted instead! He understood then and there his dreams of glory were for naught. He know that no matter how hard he practiced, he'd never have the "right stuff" to go REALLY fast.
I've raced motocross and enduros all my life. I feel it's an anticipation thing, the bumps, ruts, obstacles that I watch in front of me I unconsciously prepare for by not watching my front fender and keeping my eyes on what is 20-30 feet in front of me. Now the older I get, my speed has to do more with balls. They have shrunk. I am faster now in enduros because I continue to watch the trail in front of me where as in motocross I have a habit of staring at the front fender because I am worried about clearing the next double jump. Interesting post Ryan. I have always wondered how the top pros can make there machines go so fast. I wanted to be a pro but just didn't have it.
Most people fail to appreciate the cerebral aspect of racing. I've had the opportunity to attend a couple of schools, 2 of them were one day deals and were more driving school than racing school. Frank Hawley's drag racing school was about racing. He would show you how to drive, that part isn't terribly difficult. But he would teach you how to race. He's a smart guy and has a very ****ytical approach to racing, especially the mental aspect. A two day course had way more cl***room time than driving time, so I went in thinking maybe I would be disappointed. Not so. It was fascinating, and it gave me a new appreciation all motorsports.
Crossover. Yes and No... There are a lot of intangibles in every kind of racing that take time and experience to master. A good example is Jon Andretti... He was a p***able oval track guy, didn't do well on road courses, and was absolutely miserable in a top fuel car... Anything on dirt is different... This is an interesting topic for sure and one that I am pretty sensitive too... I've spent a good deal of time trying to figure out why I didn't make it on a road course. I grew up going fast and dominated in just about any form of racing I was ever involved in... including road courses... that is until I got side by side with guys that had something I didn't. I'm not sure exactly what that something is to be honest... timing, maturity, mental capacity, balls, focus, etc... Being compe***ive in certain local and even national racing leagues (read: NASCAR) is something I believe a lot of folks can do without too much natural talent. It's when you step up to the upper echelon of speed (EX: F1, IRL/CART) that things really begin to change drastically. There is a whole new set of tangibles that those guys have that other folks just don't...
But it sure is fun to try. Have you been over to Texas World Speedway in College Station yet? I'm looking at a session Mar 3-4, It's been awhile since I flogged the Audi and wasted a set of brakes. http://www.thedriversedge.net/
where i finally lost it was being able to drive the car ahead of what it was doing and just letting the natural muscle actions and reactions take place on the present and letting my mind focusing on the next corner before i ever got there. my mind kept wanting to pop back into the now, and make the decisions based on the past. my reactions are great, but way up there reactions are just a memory.
When I was racing motorcycles I used to keep a poster of Kenny Roberts on the wall as a reminder of why I WAS NOT a pro. The photo was taken at Daytona where Kenny was riding a 750 2 stroke 4 cylinder road racer. Kenny was coming down from a 180 MPH straightaway shot dropping in to turn 1 of the road course which is a serious decreasing radius turn. When the picture was snapped the bike was leaned over, running about 45 degrees to the lines on the NASCAR track and braking so hard that the rear wheel was about 3 inches off of the ground!
Its crazy to think about all the different ways people think and pick up things. But thats a MAJOR part of life, not just racing. Our ability to percieve things makes us different in every area of life. Some may percieve and pick up what they see coming, whilst others can only see the tip of their nose cause thats what they have always done. To try and retrain this thought process would be very difficult, but it can be done. You must have tons of self-control and even more will-power. But we are all different for a reason, otherwise we'd all be driving rally cars and F1.
What's pointed out in these videos is that it's the thought processes in the brain and the state of mind. Doesn't matter what it is, driving pike's peak, drag racing, hitting a Nolan Ryan fastball, or even typing fast. The people who can do it best are the ones that can detatch the consious thought from the part of the brain that's really controlling the action. The consious thought becomes just another input like your eyes or sense of smell. It directs the overall flow of what's happening without actually interfering in controlling the operation. A good manager comes to your desk and says: "I need this done and delivered to here by this time, can you do that?" Then he goes back to his office and frees you up to get the job done without interfering or micro managing. He starts thinking about the next project while you finish this one without interuption. Win, Win situation as long as you both trust each other. You need to do the same inside your mind. If you're thinking, brake, downshift, hit the gas and break it loose, turn the wheel... Etc. You'll lose to the guy who just sets up the drift into the turn while thinking, "Ok, the next one after this goes to the right then we'll p*** this guy on the straightaway by where that blonde in the sweater was sitting". And you'll never see the blonde in the stands or the stalled car blocking the track where you were going to p*** in time... Hard to describe, but when you're in the zone, you know it. When that ball leaves the pitcher's hand you already know it's going over the left field fence and you're already thinking "Don't trip on the damned bag at first this time dummy!"
Jeremy Clarkson is one of my favorite television personalities. He doesn't always drive on his shows though. Here he is "Recycling" a few... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF3W2v00Ock
I love this topic! Not enough people understand what it takes to go fast. I spent a lot of time trying to go fast in motocross, by the time I figured some of it out my body was too old to keep up. Not that I am that slow of a learner, I started really late. It is not only reaction time, it is also anticipation. I really wish that I had the talent to be compe***ive in some road racing . I really miss the adrenilin rush and I need to find a new outlet.
I wish a paris/dakar post was on topic right about now Really good topic even if it is a little OT. sure there are a few people who cross over and do well....but its certainly not the norm and I think some people think it's the norm and "no big deal" also, its hard for some people to understand that racing doesnt just = "fast" and man you enduro and hare scramble guys i have a new found respect!!! Well, i just sent in my forms for my first rally race.....and on a bike....wish me luck come feb 17th. -Rob
I know that Motoxer Travis Pastrana alos races rally. I havent been able to follow the races so I couldnt tell you how he does. And he also races the MotoGP, which is a crossover race of dirt and paved course. Pretty good in that I think.
I freakin love F1, I can not wait till march for the first race of 07. With shumi out and Kimi in its going to be really exciting, i hope ferrari can continue to stay on top with all the change up in the team management. Id like to get a group together and watch F1 races here in town sometime in 2007. And the cross over motorcyle racing is Super Motard not MotoGP. I think what makes a great racer is confidence,( and A LOT of seat time ) to be so sure in all your training and practice and just let it happen, I know alot of time I think about driving great, but those guys DO drive great, they dont even have to think about the next apex or the next straight, its just happening and its amazing.
I just reread my post and it sounded a little harsh, I wasnt trying to be a jerk about the MotoGP vs Super Motard. Do you know if Jeremy Mcgrath is still going to be racing the motard stuff this year, it was cool to see him come back from retirement.
The Jalopy Journal
