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Originally Posted by z12358
Let me state first that I've only had two DE track days in my life and I consider myself to be an average driver... Z.
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Hi,
Your logic is kinda skewed. You may not think the discussion is about Man outperforming the Machine, but it is, or at least has been. It's not about a cost/benefit analysis of FMA/speed, it's about making the car perform at it's best and a skilled driver will do so better without the hindrance of these electronic aids than with them.
A 1 chance in 100 arguement of the type you have stated again, has little to do with the discussion. No one said these devices weren't safer, everyone here has supported their use for the average guy. Besides, again, you're proposing an analysis, not a judgement. There is at least a 1:100 chance of losing control and wrecking the car everytime you attend a Track or DE event (if not everytime you drive the car), is that justification enough not to do it? To some perhaps, but not for others.
As for other cars losing control, you're assuming that they didn't have these aids which may or may not have been true. Even with these aids, you can stretch the performance envelope sufficiently that the car breaks away and the Laws of Physics take over. Perhaps these cars were so equipped (they at least certainly had ABS) and their Drivers were deluded that these very aids would prevent them from pushing too far. That's just as good a supposition as the one you're making. And bolsters the arguement made by myself and others that these aids can become a crutch and impede learning.
So far as fine-tuning the aid's computers, there are several problems. First, you'd need the codes and the manufacturer is unlikely to release them for liability purposes, if for nothing else. Second, these aids do nothing but respond in a pre-programmed fashion to some innocuous signals received from various sensors. They do not have any idea of the intention of the driver, or what's in the Driver's Mind, what he sees, feels and relates to his/her experience base.
It's about Control. And these aids take control away from the Driver, and usually at a time when their concentration is required elsewhere. This control acquisition also takes place well short of the
edge, where some combination of engineers and techno geeks decided an appropriate all-around
Safety Margin should be.
In my lengthy and considerable Track experience, I'm fortunate enough to say that I've only kissed a wall twice (though in adverse conditions), but I've had more than my share of personal experience with Runoff areas and other competitors (their fault and mine)
. But, in each event, costs were not so great (certainly acceptable given the risk I
chose to take, and necessary to be competitive), no bent, or broken, people resulted (always the best thing), but
learning took place. Some risk is inherent in all Motorsports whether it be Class Racing, DE or Auto-X.
For the General Public, operating on Public Roads, these aids are probably a good thing as I've stated before. But, for a skilled Driver, on or off the Track, these aids can be a hindrance. We're fast getting to the point where the only Driver input will be pointing the car - steering, what with all the Egas throttles, CVTs, Accident Avoidance Braking Systems, Smart Cruise Control, Back-up Warning Systems, Self-Parking, and the like. At what point will the lack of Driver input and Control still be considered
driving and not simply a Ride-Along? ...
Happy Motoring!... Jim'99