Why do we drive fast?

[bret]

A lot has been made recently concerning the safety of driving a 3600 lb street car at 150 mph on a race track.

I don’t think anyone can argue the validity or necessity of addressing safety. Like grandma, puppies, and apple pie…who could possibly say anything against safety?

Not me. Not me as RideTech…nor me as a hotrodder, and participant in many of these events.

There are a few items I’d like to discuss in addition to what’s already been covered.
• Humans will race. If there is more than one tricycle, horse, dog, turtle or centipede, humans will find a way to turn that into a competitive event that has a winner and [by definition] a loser. I know of no way to change ingrained human nature. Given that concept, we must figure out how to do it while minimizing the risk.

• Racing sanctioning bodies [NHRA, SCCA, SCTA, NASA, etc] were formed, and have evolved to create a SAFER environment in which to achieve these activities. NHRA specifically was formed in the attempt to bring racing and racers OFF the street onto a more controlled and safer racetrack. Risk will never be eliminated…but it's ALL of our responsibility to minimize it to the extent possible.

• The best track day road course events are held on a true racetrack…a track that has been designed and constructed with high speed in mind. They are devoid of as many life threatening obstacles as possible. No, you can never be completely risk free, but much experience and engineering has been devoted to making sure the participants are as safe as feasible.

• By the construction of these specially designed racetracks…and the recent proliferation of the track day events that have become popular, we [as an enthusiast group] have actually INCREASED our relative safety compared to the former “spirited driving on a twisty road” that we’ve all participated in previously. [here is where someone can lie about the fact they’ve never driven over the posted speed limit]. When you are on a TRUE racetrack you can take some level of comfort knowing these 3 things:

o The people on the track are all aware that they [and you] will be driving at an elevated speed
o There won’t be any unintended intrusions onto the track from civilians [children chasing balls, grandmas crossing the street, soccer mom’s in minivans talking on cellphone,etc.]
o You will all be going in the same direction

• While these track day events have been referred to as “real racing”, I think the difference between what we are doing and real racing is the fact that there is no fender-to-fender action going on. No one is trying to actively fight you for a position on the track. That is a huge distinction in my mind.

• The recent popularity of autocross and track day events has spawned a huge increase in products that dramatically improve vehicle handling dynamics and safety. Our cars are faster BECAUSE they handle better and have better safety equipment than they did 10 years ago. Exceptional brakes, steering, suspension and safety equipment have become quite fashionable for good reason. I see this evolution continuing within our “pro-touring” segment just as it has in the OEM cars…maybe even at an accelerated rate.

• Driving schools for most any segment have increased in popularity to educate anyone from a complete novice with a rental car to the most advanced professional driver. Who would have thought 10 years ago that we would see single day autocross schools in conjunction with track day events. Even if they existed [which I’m sure they did] our little musclecar niche didn’t participate in them.

Will these type activities ever be completely risk free? Hardly. Like motorcycle riding, water skiing, competitive eating, and sex…there will always be some level of risk. One must take personal responsibility to not only educate themselves about the dangers of their chosen activity, but to execute precautions to minimize them. The event promoters are quite motivated to ensure you have a safe vehicle and a safe event experience. They really want you to return next year with several of your friends. They have proven this motivation with rules and procedures that govern as many areas of the vehicle and the event as feasible…and continue to refine these rules and procedures. Nobody wants hurt people and cars littering their event .

As a businessman, I wish I could afford to support ALL the various track day events. Our financial reality dictates that I choose the ones that are the best organized and address the most participants. Educated participants are safer participants. Safer participants are happy participants. Happy participants may turn into customers. Then we can repeat the process to create more education, better and safer products…and let’s don’t forget…FUN!

Let’s talk about fun for a moment. On a strictly personal note…I cannot think of one single reason to attend one of these events unless it’s FUN. Considering the investment, there is no money to be made…and damned little glory to be had. So why go?
Because it’s FUN. I want to see if the idea I had last week about [insert change to your car here] was successful. I want to see my buddies and talk about girls, politics, and cars. I want to feel the G forces associated with driving a car to it’s [or at least to MY] limit. I want to eat grilled food and have a couple drinks with my friends.
I could fathom attending one of these events without my car. I could not fathom bringing my car and myself to an event without enjoying my friends.

The opinions expressed here are just that…opinions. I understand that they will be picked apart, agreed with, challenged, and be called flat out wrong. I feel the discussion [and the thought and preparation that may go into your car next year as a result] is worth whatever bruises my ego may suffer.

Thanks to Bill Howell for the inspiration to express my opinion, and to ASCS, Goodguys and USCA for the opportunity to be safe and have fun. Y’all have made my life.

[Sieg]

Well said Bret.

[coolwelder62]

Very Well said,Bret.

[71RS/SS396]

Bravo! I approve of Brets post
To answer your question...... It's a freaking hell of a lot of fun especially when you kick your buddies butt!

[Stuart Adams]

Very good.

[intocarss]

I agree

People who don't know the game ask me why we race. I always reply that it has nothing to do with the racing, what we do is a people thing. The cars are just what we use to measure skills from one day to the next

[Payton King]

You are not fast.

You know I am joking, but it sure did make me laugh as I was writing it. LOL

Hoping to drive with you soon, but you know how these projects seem to drag out. Maybe you will let me come out and wipe the sweat from your brow after a sesson on the track.

[71RS/SS396]

Originally Posted by Payton King

You are not fast.

You know I am joking, but it sure did make me laugh as I was writing it. LOL

Hoping to drive with you soon, but you know how these projects seem to drag out. Maybe you will let me come out and wipe the sweat from your brow after a sesson on the track.

I never said I was fast, I said it was fun to kick your buddies butt. I got a good laugh from your post though.

[TheJDMan]

Originally Posted by bret

While these track day events have been referred to as “real racing”, I think the difference between what we are doing and real racing is the fact that there is no fender-to-fender action going on. No one is trying to actively fight you for a position on the track. That is a huge distinction in my mind.

I absolutley agree! Turning laps at a track day is nothing like full on wheel to wheel on track competition.

[65_LS1_T56]

Originally Posted by Payton King

You are not fast.

You know I am joking, but it sure did make me laugh as I was writing it. LOL

Hoping to drive with you soon, but you know how these projects seem to drag out. Maybe you will let me come out and wipe the sweat from your brow after a sesson on the track.

I'm not laughing, he's not.


lol, just kidding of course Tim. It was fun watching you go off at Gingerman...well at least until the next corner, when Tom went off then you passed us...
Looking forward to next year to get some instruction from some pro's like yourself.