Ask A Pro, Yay or Nay.

[Hoss]

Ask a Pro, Keep it or Ditch it

[ArizonaGT]

I think it's a cool idea, but to be honest I think I've only looked at it once or twice


For all those that voted "needs changes"--post up your suggestions in here so Hoss and Karl can start tweaking!

[rocketdoc]

I voted for "needs a change", and the reason was that other than generic questions, the great majority of questions would be specific to a certain car, or what it is running, etc.

Like 'what do you think of a Pro-Race semi-adjustable, rear brace bar for my Mustang'? Should it help? Sure, but wouldn't have a clue as to how much. It would be dependent on the spring rates, the roll cage attachment, the chassis flex (easily measurable) ad infinitum.

If several of the people who would like it to succeed, I think that we need to "seed" some questions that are generic enough to bring in those who might feel unsure of their ability to ask the right kind of question, or feel that who would know what spring rate to run on their Hypersuperdyne Felchtfighter GTS-RSGT2....

If some experienced people would offer up let's say, what they think are the logistics of getting to the track, setting up, how to go about finding out what the car is doing, things to check (and how) between runs, different ways to keep track of pertinent data, or at least useful information.

I think that when people ask questions that can only be answered if everything about the car is known, it results in almost no response, because unless you know the car intimately, there isn't a "right answer".

But, if people knew what to test, know how to log that data, and come in with questions that are not as specific to their particular car, maybe it would work better.

[ArizonaGT]

Second on RD's post. Questions might be getting to specific to be answered well, and probably too specific to be of benefit to the majority of users here.

A "good", yet specific question would be something like "Hey I see you've driven Laguna Seca like 100 times, what's the best line for passing in the Turn 1 hairpin?"

[rocketdoc]

Although I think that the "Ask a Pro" may need some adjustment, it is a brilliant idea that needs to be fined tuned.

Anyone want to take some time and think about how we might make it what it should be? A literal repository of the knowledge and experiences of the many RacersWeb.com fellowship to hopefully enrich and provide some guidance to those who are still climbing the ladder.

One of our more "brighter" members mentioned the importance that tires and their importance in small to even major changes they contribute to a cars general and specifically, their "vernier" contributions when cars are "dialed in" near their maximum.
I know it's a vital component in altering NASCAR cars throughout a race and the tolerances in Formula One, is measured in the millibar range (a BAR is European for a standard atmospheric atmoshere [A millibar (mb) is a unit of measure for air pressure. 1 millibar is in the US .02953 inches of mercury (Hg). Average sea level pressure is 1013.2 millibars or 29.92 inches of mercury.].

These things change significantly during a race, with even more changes coming from the changes that happen throughout a race's distance.
Some of these changes are both ambient and track interface temperatures, tire sidewall temperatures, which effect sidewall stiffness. Tire contact surface, both mechanically and dynamically (again, due primarily to temperature and near the end of their "stint", changes in hysteresis (which in this case is the tires ability to change as little as possible as the sidewall has become cycled enough for it to change its "spring rate", and as importantly, its "lag time" in doing the same things over and over (which is really the definition of "hysteresis" in this case.

Understanding what your tires are doing, even for short duration events, is a very valuable input as you continue to learn about your car.

Please, I don't mean to dazzle anyone with $0.50 words, it's just an artifact of the "language" that I've used in my profession for so many years, so stop me when I sling a fifty cent word out there that might halt your understanding of what I might be trying to get across. Stop me in my tracks and ask for a real world explanation.


As for the Laguna first turn or the "stomach turner" corkscrew, I know of no one better to give you a inch by inch "primer" on how that's done... time and time again.

If fact, this particular RacersWeb.com driver was actually asked how to do several turns at Sonoma (now Infineon Racway) by a almost current Formula One driver, who by the way, is also a part of British Royalty (No, it's not me.. the driver or the royalty).
We do have that kind of talent around here.

[rocketdoc]

Bump

[duafacia]

Originally Posted by rocketdoc

One of our more "brighter" members mentioned the importance that tires and their importance in small to even major changes they contribute to a cars general and specifically, their "vernier" contributions when cars are "dialed in" near their maximum.


These things change significantly during a race, with even more changes coming from the changes that happen throughout a race's distance.
Some of these changes are both ambient and track interface temperatures, tire sidewall temperatures, which effect sidewall stiffness. Tire contact surface, both mechanically and dynamically (again, due primarily to temperature and near the end of their "stint", changes in hysteresis (which in this case is the tires ability to change as little as possible as the sidewall has become cycled enough for it to change its "spring rate", and as importantly, its "lag time" in doing the same things over and over (which is really the definition of "hysteresis" in this case.

Understanding what your tires are doing, even for short duration events, is a very valuable input as you continue to learn about your car.

How does one quantify maximum tractive effort and relate it to individual seat of your pants driving style? Are you trying to acheive the most longevity for your equipment, quickest lap times....? What specific means are you trying to achieve?

Originally Posted by rocketdoc

Although I think that the "Ask a Pro" may need some adjustment, it is a brilliant idea that needs to be fined tuned.

Anyone want to take some time and think about how we might make it what it should be? A literal repository of the knowledge and experiences of the many RacersWeb.com fellowship to hopefully enrich and provide some guidance to those who are still climbing the ladder.

Then it shouldn't be ask a pro specifically, this only creates two type of questions which will generally be based on the person themselves or the style of racing they participate in. Either they will be questions that require empirical data (setup questions, logistics, preference, what happens if such should occur.....what's your favorite color/food/brand of skivies....) and those with intangible answers (how you feel the car.)

To be honest, how much does the pro driver really know about the prep, transport or setup of their equipment now a days? If we're talking old school guys who came up through the ranks wrenching on their own rides they'd have a better understanding. The bred to race type though? Or maybe my perception is out of wack....

If you're trying to pull from the knowledge of our members I think we need to utilize some of the tools we currently have available that aren't being relised or used to their potential. We have forums dedicated to prep, setup, materials etc that lay dormant. Lets use these as our baselines for building an encyclopedia of that knowledge our members possess. Things such as terminology, understanding suspension (geometry, kinematics, application, setup) aero, track prep, tools/equipment no one should be without.

Then when it comes time to ask a question of value you know specifically what you're looking for; such as how do you address the bump steer on x,y,z track or corner, or how do you balance the compliance of your suspension given this track condition, or how do I tune out the 'ripples' in this section of track so Iam not ice skating....



Getting light headed.......need to step of my soap box for a while

[CheffO]

Ask a Pro?... I say ask Pete, Brian & Corey. These guys have more combined knowledge, experience, real time "feel" of a car than most everyone on here x 10. The perception of the word "Pro" means that they got picked up slash sponsored and make dough driving but in my opinion those guys I mentioned are Pros due to both being paid to drive and their years of knowledge.

I don't need to ask Wolfgang Puck how to make a sauce so I'd rather shoot the shit with a can of gas in hand and get mouth to mouth, eye to eye feedback from chefs I respect and know have a proven track record. Best place is real time track side after sessions/races but if that's not a good time than later with a dry erase board and some suds.

Simply put...bring the classroom to the grassroots...

When I roll off site to cook at outside events I transport my world to the people so they can see, hear, feel, taste and ask any questions they want.

In my opinion this is how I prefer learning. May not be everyone elses style but thought I'd throw that in.

Want to make it happen now and get noticed and move the website to a real business?

Do this:

- Have a separate tent at track events (blacked out with RW logo's blistering)
- Buy a large plasma or similar screen, easels, dry erase boards, folding chairs
- Have the specific track that you are at profiled, scematics done, overhead shots and basically the entire track formated on print outs as well as on screen and any other car racing literature that helps drivers
- Racersweb cam with footage shown of the correct race line per their vehicle/class

That's it...

The deal is that you get people to come in and talk to you about their times, trouble spots, braking, apex etc. etc. and you teach/show them how to achieve results based on the pros input. Take them for a spin, ask them to come back with their results etc. Set the hook first then create a loyal following with in your face results, guided instruction, and immediate feedback. Then upsale personal coaching, coffee cups, t-shirts or whatever after the fan base is built.

I don't want to talk to pro chefs I want to eat what they have?

.02

[rocketdoc]

Excellent post, Wolfgang... only kidding.

Wolfgang could learn and practice for the rest of his life and never touch your creativity.