Are you a better driver because you drive an Evo?
You are correct about braking and steering at the same time, in a race situation you should always brake at the last possible momment and do it while the tires are rolling straight. The tires cannot hold the braking force near as effectively when they are turned. Accelerating while turning is used after the apex of every corner.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Palo Alto, CA
What were your times? I've only been there twice and the fastest time I cut around the big track was 16.72. It was really disappointing for me because the more experienced drivers there (ppl who were going much more often) were cutting sub 16 second laps. Although I did figure out why I was so damn slow though.
Originally Posted by xphillipjrx
I went to an indoor cart racing place in suburban Chicago http://www.chicagoindoorracing.com/ . There were eight other people in my group. We had three 15-lap qualifying races and one 30-lap championship. I won two out of the three qualifiers and I won the championship.
The only "training" I've received is one afternoon two years ago at the Mazda Rev It Up. It was valuable to me because I never knew about braking, steering and accelerating and how you should never do two of them at the same time. That was about the only thing I was consciously paying attention to as I was turning laps yesterday.
I still don't think it was the Rev It Up tip that made me better. I think it was because I drive a race car every day. The skills I use when I fling my car around easily transferred to driving a cart.
Do you think you're a better driver because you drive an Evo? (This is probably best answered by people who've had their cars for a year or more)
The only "training" I've received is one afternoon two years ago at the Mazda Rev It Up. It was valuable to me because I never knew about braking, steering and accelerating and how you should never do two of them at the same time. That was about the only thing I was consciously paying attention to as I was turning laps yesterday.
I still don't think it was the Rev It Up tip that made me better. I think it was because I drive a race car every day. The skills I use when I fling my car around easily transferred to driving a cart.
Do you think you're a better driver because you drive an Evo? (This is probably best answered by people who've had their cars for a year or more)
To answer your question NO you don’t, in fact EVOS make beginner drivers lazy and they depend on the car to save their *** developing bad habits.
Now about your comment braking and turning.. Yes you can do that but not for the
noobies in the noobies class they will tell you that but once you are in the game you will be left foot braking into a turn with the right foot on power. It’s called weight transfer.
Anyways, EVOS don’t make you drive better. Makes you look better yes
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Atlanta
I agree with ^^^
I saw an Evo 8 once on a track and gosh darn it was fast, lapped some vettes. So I sat in with the driver in his next session hoping to learn a few things, turns out the guy's maneuvers were as smooth as 50 grit sand paper and his lines were off, but having 350+ whp and great stock tires sure make ya seem fast.
I saw an Evo 8 once on a track and gosh darn it was fast, lapped some vettes. So I sat in with the driver in his next session hoping to learn a few things, turns out the guy's maneuvers were as smooth as 50 grit sand paper and his lines were off, but having 350+ whp and great stock tires sure make ya seem fast.
Last edited by yudalicious; May 1, 2006 at 08:38 AM.
Well coming from a front wheel drive car to AWD was a big change . I think when i first got the evo i was terrible at driving it . It takes some getting used to but after you know the car and what it can do , Yes you are a much better driver
Originally Posted by yudalicious
I agree with ^^^
I saw an Evo 8 once on a track and gosh darn it was fast, lapped some vettes. So I sat in with the driver in his next session hoping to learn a few things, turns out the guy's maneuvers were as smooth as 50 grit sand paper and his lines were off, but having 350+ whp and great stock tires sure make ya seem fast.
I saw an Evo 8 once on a track and gosh darn it was fast, lapped some vettes. So I sat in with the driver in his next session hoping to learn a few things, turns out the guy's maneuvers were as smooth as 50 grit sand paper and his lines were off, but having 350+ whp and great stock tires sure make ya seem fast.
sure it did make me look fast when i started. Now every car i pass is with my own skill. Trust me when you pass an E46 using an E30 you will know that now you are on a different level.
Originally Posted by EVOIX4me
Well coming from a front wheel drive car to AWD was a big change . I think when i first got the evo i was terrible at driving it . It takes some getting used to but after you know the car and what it can do , Yes you are a much better driver
what is much better driver to you? have you tracked the car? if not you have not even scratched the surface.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Fremont, Ca
Originally Posted by ldstang50
a car doesn't make anyone a better driver. the driver makes the car better.
yes the evo handles and stops great, but any moron can crash an evo into a tree at 10mph. just like any moron can crash a fiat no matter how fast they are going.
yes the evo handles and stops great, but any moron can crash an evo into a tree at 10mph. just like any moron can crash a fiat no matter how fast they are going.
great point. Most people think that cuz they bought an evo they have instanly become a better driver. Becoming a good driver takes years of practice, and a lot of seat time at the track. If you haven't track your evo then you haven't measured how capable a driver you are.
Last edited by evo637; May 1, 2006 at 10:21 AM.
Thread Starter
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From: Chicago
Originally Posted by DarkMastyr
What were your times? I've only been there twice and the fastest time I cut around the big track was 16.72. It was really disappointing for me because the more experienced drivers there (ppl who were going much more often) were cutting sub 16 second laps. Although I did figure out why I was so damn slow though.
The printout said that since the place opened I was in the 95th percentile out of 75000 racers. The fastest April times were like 14.20. I really want to race carts with some other Evo drivers to see if I really have skills. I guess the 95th percentile speaks for itself, but I'd still like to see
Originally Posted by aklucsarits
Judging by the number of "I wrecked my Evo" threads on this board, it sure seems like maybe people THINK they are a better driver because they drive an Evo... 
agreed
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From: Palo Alto, CA
Originally Posted by xphillipjrx
Detailed printouts are given to every racer. Graphs and everything. I turned a 14.68 during the championship and I had a few other sub-15 laps. In the championship race the person with the second fastest lap time was 15.51. I had my 14.68 and I had 12 other laps faster than 15.51.
The printout said that since the place opened I was in the 95th percentile out of 75000 racers. The fastest April times were like 14.20. I really want to race carts with some other Evo drivers to see if I really have skills. I guess the 95th percentile speaks for itself, but I'd still like to see
The printout said that since the place opened I was in the 95th percentile out of 75000 racers. The fastest April times were like 14.20. I really want to race carts with some other Evo drivers to see if I really have skills. I guess the 95th percentile speaks for itself, but I'd still like to see
The percentile is based on your proscore and really means jack. You wouldn't be able to achieve 99% at your first attempt if you were Schumacher or Raikkonen. If you note the top proscores, you'll see that they're 2 or 3 times higher than yours (http://www.chicagoindoorracing.com/topproscores.asp). My percentile is 97% but I've only been able to cut a 16.74 on track 1. My buddy actually managed to cut a 16.72, but his percentile is only about 85% or so. The proscore is measured based on both your times and who you pass, sort of like a chess rating (if you're familiar). You start off with a proscore of 100, then if you pass or get passed by slower or faster drivers, your proscore is adjusted accordingly. If you manage to pass someone with a really high proscore, yours goes up a lot while that person's goes down a lot.
The evo can definitely help you come out of a stinky situation smelling like a rose. I think it is very important to still know the limit of the car, preferably before you're made to feel too invincible for your own good. My second day owning mine, I kicked the backend around a little in a sharp curve. Fun, yes. Intentional, no. Stupid, yes. Glad there was no car in the other lane. They would have clipped my backend if they werent really on top of their game.