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Hi all,
I've managed to convince Simon Mason to take some of his spare time to give us some of his professional advise on race circuit driving. (simon, thanks)
If you've any questions about circuit driving then you are welcome to post them here. I'd appreicate if people can keep their questions sensible and clear. I've already added a few common questions to the FAQ that I always want to know.
Needless to say, I also asked him to offer a special price for coaching members of the DC5 owners forum. :wink: For all those who don't know about Simon, here is his website:
http://www.simonmason.com
or ask a few fellow member on the board who have been coached by Simon.
here you go:
On Track FAQ
(S: Simon)
Q: I want to know what's the character of DC5 like on circuit compared to the other FWD cars?
S: The DC5 is simply the best out of the box FWD car you can buy anywhere. It understeers less, responds to driver input more efficiently and best off all sounds the dogs and thats before you start doing anything to it.
Q: I never been on track before, should I go to an airfield day instead of a circuit?
S: Maybe!! Airfields are very easy and forgiving so do no harm but only do one or two days on an airfield before the bad habbits start to role in. Airfields eat tyres and they also chuck up stones which damage your body work so be prepared for that.
Q: Do I need to get the track insurance or my insurance company will cover it on trackdays?
S: No, on track your car is regarded as being used off the public highway and therefore not covered by your normal road insurance policy accept in a very few policies. But so long as you use a reputable established track day company and drive common sense accidents are very very rare.
Q: Do I need to modify my car before I can take it on track? I'm a bit worry as my car is standard and can't take my bash on track.
S: A standard DC5 is a cracking car on track. All you need do is make sure your brakes are in good condition, tyres have reasonable tread (pump them up an extra 6psi or so to reduce wear) and check your fluid levels. Any mods you make to the car only make it feel or sound more the part, power gains and suspension upgrades are nothing without the knowledge to use them.
Q: I'm a novice/intermidate track driver, I want to know what modification can make most out of the car for track driving?
S: Number one good performance brake pads. Number two better dampers and springs, number three better tyres. Engine upgrades are the last thing for any serious driver.
Q: I'm a novice, do I need to book an instructor session, does it help?
S: Does it ever! Cars are controlled by physics not how brave or how sticky your tyres are. The more you understand about what makes your car "tick" the more you can exploit it. Like anything the earlier you start learning the better you get. Every single top driver in motor racing had coaching when they started thats why such young drivers can be so fast.
Q: Is there any particular techique that I can use on the DC5 to go faster?
S: The DC5 is of course FWD so to be quick you have to be very very smooth, more so than in a RWD car. The front wheels are doing twice as much work so need to be nursed into working not ordered.
I've managed to convince Simon Mason to take some of his spare time to give us some of his professional advise on race circuit driving. (simon, thanks)
If you've any questions about circuit driving then you are welcome to post them here. I'd appreicate if people can keep their questions sensible and clear. I've already added a few common questions to the FAQ that I always want to know.
Needless to say, I also asked him to offer a special price for coaching members of the DC5 owners forum. :wink: For all those who don't know about Simon, here is his website:
http://www.simonmason.com
or ask a few fellow member on the board who have been coached by Simon.
here you go:
On Track FAQ
(S: Simon)
Q: I want to know what's the character of DC5 like on circuit compared to the other FWD cars?
S: The DC5 is simply the best out of the box FWD car you can buy anywhere. It understeers less, responds to driver input more efficiently and best off all sounds the dogs and thats before you start doing anything to it.
Q: I never been on track before, should I go to an airfield day instead of a circuit?
S: Maybe!! Airfields are very easy and forgiving so do no harm but only do one or two days on an airfield before the bad habbits start to role in. Airfields eat tyres and they also chuck up stones which damage your body work so be prepared for that.
Q: Do I need to get the track insurance or my insurance company will cover it on trackdays?
S: No, on track your car is regarded as being used off the public highway and therefore not covered by your normal road insurance policy accept in a very few policies. But so long as you use a reputable established track day company and drive common sense accidents are very very rare.
Q: Do I need to modify my car before I can take it on track? I'm a bit worry as my car is standard and can't take my bash on track.
S: A standard DC5 is a cracking car on track. All you need do is make sure your brakes are in good condition, tyres have reasonable tread (pump them up an extra 6psi or so to reduce wear) and check your fluid levels. Any mods you make to the car only make it feel or sound more the part, power gains and suspension upgrades are nothing without the knowledge to use them.
Q: I'm a novice/intermidate track driver, I want to know what modification can make most out of the car for track driving?
S: Number one good performance brake pads. Number two better dampers and springs, number three better tyres. Engine upgrades are the last thing for any serious driver.
Q: I'm a novice, do I need to book an instructor session, does it help?
S: Does it ever! Cars are controlled by physics not how brave or how sticky your tyres are. The more you understand about what makes your car "tick" the more you can exploit it. Like anything the earlier you start learning the better you get. Every single top driver in motor racing had coaching when they started thats why such young drivers can be so fast.
Q: Is there any particular techique that I can use on the DC5 to go faster?
S: The DC5 is of course FWD so to be quick you have to be very very smooth, more so than in a RWD car. The front wheels are doing twice as much work so need to be nursed into working not ordered.
