R50/53 How to get out of the Dale Earnhardt mode
I am, well middle aged. 55 to be exact. For years I drove a Mazda sedan, great car to haul wife and kids in. Then WHAM I buy a 04 R50 that looks new and drives new. I mean man this is a whole new motoring experience for me.
Anyway I get in this thing and drive to work or any other place and the next thing I know I doing <speed removed> mph. I thinking now I may be better off getting rid of the car. I tell my wife that these cars just want to be driven fast. Anyway, how to get out of racing mode. Oh yes do you find that other drivers want to race you on the free way?
Anyway I get in this thing and drive to work or any other place and the next thing I know I doing <speed removed> mph. I thinking now I may be better off getting rid of the car. I tell my wife that these cars just want to be driven fast. Anyway, how to get out of racing mode. Oh yes do you find that other drivers want to race you on the free way?
I don't care for straight line speed much anymore. A windy road is my cup of tea.
Last edited by Cadenza; Sep 19, 2009 at 04:27 PM.
+1.
Seriously, the answer is the track. I got a huge ticket before I started tracking the MINI, I also THOUGHT I was a pretty good driver. A trip to the track quickly humbled me, now it's a never ending quest to become a better driver. There always is something that can be improved upon, something new to learn. And there are a ton of people on this site, and at the track, willing and able to help.
The end result is I'm a better, safer driver on the street--not a great driver by any means, I don't have nearly the seat time as some of those incredible drivers out there that can drive a lawn tractor faster than your average owner can a Viper. You can practice many of the techniques you learn on the track in daily driving, but at a slower, legal speed, in fact it helps to become smoother. So now the focus during daily driving is to find where the apex might be on a particular turn, maybe work on smooth transitions, nice, smooth turn in, improve heel toe, etc., etc. It's more technical and more involving, and more rewarding. Punching the accelerator? Anyone can do that. And once you've had some track time, you realize how far away you are from the threshold on the street, the only place you're really going to approach it properly is at the track.
I no longer feel the need to drive "on the edge" (Or more accurately, drive where I perceived the edge to be) on the street, because it simply can't be done. That is saved for the track. Only problem is the track is VERY addicting....
The answer isn't to sell the car. You have the itch. The answer is learn how drive it fast--at the track. Only way you're REALLY gonna scratch that itch of yours properly. Otherwise it's going to turn into a rash, and rashes can be unsightly, annoying, and embarrassing depending on location...
Seriously, the answer is the track. I got a huge ticket before I started tracking the MINI, I also THOUGHT I was a pretty good driver. A trip to the track quickly humbled me, now it's a never ending quest to become a better driver. There always is something that can be improved upon, something new to learn. And there are a ton of people on this site, and at the track, willing and able to help.
The end result is I'm a better, safer driver on the street--not a great driver by any means, I don't have nearly the seat time as some of those incredible drivers out there that can drive a lawn tractor faster than your average owner can a Viper. You can practice many of the techniques you learn on the track in daily driving, but at a slower, legal speed, in fact it helps to become smoother. So now the focus during daily driving is to find where the apex might be on a particular turn, maybe work on smooth transitions, nice, smooth turn in, improve heel toe, etc., etc. It's more technical and more involving, and more rewarding. Punching the accelerator? Anyone can do that. And once you've had some track time, you realize how far away you are from the threshold on the street, the only place you're really going to approach it properly is at the track.
I no longer feel the need to drive "on the edge" (Or more accurately, drive where I perceived the edge to be) on the street, because it simply can't be done. That is saved for the track. Only problem is the track is VERY addicting....
The answer isn't to sell the car. You have the itch. The answer is learn how drive it fast--at the track. Only way you're REALLY gonna scratch that itch of yours properly. Otherwise it's going to turn into a rash, and rashes can be unsightly, annoying, and embarrassing depending on location...
6th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,790
Likes: 10
From: Kansas City
cct1 has the answer, take it to the track. And don't be put off by the fact that it's "justacooper", they'll go plenty fast on the track too.
I'm a "ahem" few years older than you and usually do 5 track events a year. Doing so keeps me out of trouble on the street and makes me a better, smoother, more aware driver at legal speeds.
Try it, you'll like it!
I'm a "ahem" few years older than you and usually do 5 track events a year. Doing so keeps me out of trouble on the street and makes me a better, smoother, more aware driver at legal speeds.
Try it, you'll like it!
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R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
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