HTM Battle @ Lowes

[HTM Yaris]

:smile:

I love when I find ancient video :biggrin:

Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rmeKTnRl1k

[kngrsll]

ah, i miss my 240!! and Lucky Duck!!

[HTM Yaris]

Sorry Ken , I HAD to delete your instructors comments . IMO he wasn't that good . He wasn't very good at communicating . Whenever I've instructed people , I've always used hand signals only . Why ? B/C it is very hard to hear with helmets and open exhaust . Also most beginners don't have radios in their helmets . I use 4 hand signals . Index finger point for accelerate , Open hand to clenched fist for brake (repeating rapidly , as if grabbing a fly from mid air) , Closed fist for stop and Peace Sign for pits . Of course I would make sure that the student totally understood the signals before we went out on the track , not to mention the virtues of "shuffle steering ". Then after the session we would discuss improvements .

[kngrsll]

Sorry Ken , I HAD to delete your instructors comments . IMO he wasn't that good . He wasn't very good at communicating . Whenever I've instructed people , I've always used hand signals only . Why ? B/C it is very hard to hear with helmets and open exhaust . Also most beginners don't have radios in their helmets . I use 4 hand signals . Index finger point for accelerate , Open hand to clenched fist for brake (repeating rapidly , as if grabbing a fly from mid air) , Closed fist for stop and Peace Sign for pits . Of course I would make sure that the student totally understood the signals before we went out on the track , not to mention the virtues of "shuffle steering ". Then after the session we would discuss improvements .

i do something similar to that, i do yell some as i get excited though :) i like that peace sign for pits though!! thanks DJ

[cleong]

Just curious, what *are* the virtues of shuffle steering? Is it better used for autocross, because I've observed that on roadcourses, professional drivers seem to prefer the fixed arm steering technique (provided that the course isn't that tight).

[HTM Yaris]

The virtues of shuffle steering are that it keeps a driver from getting their arms crossed . When a driver's arms get crossed it is very easy to lose control of the car . It also allows a driver to relax and concentrate on the course and not worry about fighting the wheel . It is best used in autox .

I see alot of people yank/crank the steering wheel . In their mind they think "If I yank real fast , the car will turn real fast " The truth is that most cars will never react as fast a human and usually results in understeer and/or over correction .

Pro drivers on road courses . That's a totally different ballgame . To become a pro it takes years of seat time . Pro drivers usually will drive a highly modified car or a factory car specifically designed for track use , but disguised as a street car ( EVO , STi , Lotus , etc. ) . These factory cars have much better steering inputs , not to mention better suspensions . When you have sharper inputs and better suspension you don't have to turn the wheel as much and you can get away with "stiff arming" . Also , road courses usually are not that tight as you put it .

You may have seen this vid , but you can see me employing shuffle steering ( half way decent example ) . Notice my hand don't go past the "12 o'clock " position . Also notice my thumbs are for the most part in the "thumbs up" position . Thumbs up indicate a relaxed driver . A relaxed ( not too much ) driver is always a good driver . It took me a little while to learn and use shuffle steering . I used to be one of those guys that drove with one hand on the wheel ( 12 o'clock position ) and one hand on the shifter .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=920nzEj3BLA

[Tamago]

i've learned that it's VERY easy to get crossed up at autocross (had an experience in the blue yaris this last weekend, caused me an off-course on my last run) especially if you're unfamiliar with the car. i'm ALWAYS at 9/3 hand position when i'm racing, but sometimes this just isn't enough, and dealing with the overly numb electro steering of the yaris (compared to my hydraulic rack in the xA) i found myself over-compensating mid corner. which immediately caused severe understeer and scrubbed off important momentum.

lesson learned, don't expect every small car to react like the one you're used to driving ;)

good thread