Second DE, the good, the bad and the ugly.

[thstone]

This kind of thing happens in many DE's and some groups are better at policing it than others.

When it happens to me, I try to use it as a firm reminder that I need to always be aware of where the other cars are - even if they shouldn't be there! Defensive driving skills on a track are just as important as the go-fast skills and will become even more important as you move up through the ranks to open passing.

I am not excusing other driver's bad behavior just sayin' that its probably going to happen and the best offense is an excellent defense.

[san rensho]

Originally Posted by thstone

This kind of thing happens in many DE's and some groups are better at policing it than others.

When it happens to me, I try to use it as a firm reminder that I need to always be aware of where the other cars are - even if they shouldn't be there! Defensive driving skills on a track are just as important as the go-fast skills and will become even more important as you move up through the ranks to open passing.

I am not excusing other driver's bad behavior just sayin' that its probably going to happen and the best offense is an excellent defense.

Yep, you have to drive defensively. Maybe in my case I was driving too defensively, looking too much in my mirrors and when I saw this guy coming up on me in the fast turn, I backed off and let him get up on me. Who knows, I gave him room, he came through and nothing happened.

One thing I liked about racing motorcycles is that there are no mirrors, you only have to worry about whats in front of you.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by san rensho

Yep, you have to drive defensively. Maybe in my case I was driving too defensively, looking too much in my mirrors and when I saw this guy coming up on me in the fast turn, I backed off and let him get up on me. Who knows, I gave him room, he came through and nothing happened.

That is a good attitude and mindset. On the track, I am always ready and willing to back off or let someone else by. I watch my mirrors relentlessly and in a day's worth of laps, I am sure to get more than my fair share of open track time. I'm not racing for money, but just for fun and to become a better track driver.

That doesn't mean that I never push hard or never challenge my limits as a driver but when it comes down to me and another driver going for the same corner, I have no problem being the smarter of the two of us.