I have watched a lot of races in person. With the company of my father, I have been spectator at 18 SCCA National Championship Runoffs at three separate tracks, each Runoff averaging 25 individual races, countless regional race weekends with an average of 15 races per weekend, a handful of dirt track races and 4 NASCAR races. I have also driven in many races. To many of you, that is a ton of races. To me, it is just the tip of the iceberg. I would rather be at the race track than just about anywhere else. Is it because of the sounds and smells? Sure it is. Is it the competition? Of course. The part I love most is the joy I get in watching driver's game plans unfold and people adjusting to the ever-changing circumstances. All race car drivers start a race, whether it is a small regional "sprint" style or a longer championship style race with a plan. Most people think that the plan of any race is to go as fast as you can to win! What is not known by most is what effort is put in to plan a race. Whether it has been a couple qualifying sessions over the weekend, testing for weeks, or even a full season, each drive knows what to expect from his car and competitors. He may know that that Honda positioned ahead of him on the grid is brutal on his tires, so he may jump out to a strong lead, then fall back as he loses the steady traction. Speaking of tires, he may know that he is on the softer compound tire, so they may wear away quicker than other drivers out there. Weather plays a huge role in the driver's mind. If it is cooler, his car may run better than he is use to, or worse, depending on his tuning. If it is a hotter day, the track may be very greasy and not the track he was use to in testing. And let's not forget rain, if it rains, we race! Cars will often act much different in the rain, and tracks will too. You will hear people talk about the "rain line", which is the fastest way around the track when it is wet. To make a long, boring technical lecture short, when cars go around the track, small pieces of rubber fly off the tires and collect "off line". When it is wet, the normal race line is very slick, so the fast line is actually where all that rubber has gone to, making it the "rain line". Sorry, that was longer than I though it would be, but no less important! Now, where was I? Oh yes! There a lot of things that a driver has to plan for, but my favorite is the driving style and planning of the driver I call "The Cerebral Assassin". this is the driver that has lap after lap planned out. You can often find him in 2nd or 3rd place during the race, not making many moves to pass and get further ahead. Like a predator, he is steady stalking his prey, waiting for the perfect time to strike. He will follow right behind the driver he is stalking, noting where he puts his car at each turn, where his braking points are, and where he knows hew will be able to overtake them. He wont attempt a pass for laps, knowing that he could. He drives steady, knowing that his prey is constantly checking his mirrors with wide eyes, knowing that it is coming but can't do anything about it. The longer the race goes, the prey will start making mistakes, anticipation when the Assassin will strike. He will brake too early, take a turn off line or even put a wheel or two into the grass, but the assassin does not flinch or make his move. He waits until the perfect time, a point in the race he decided he would make his move way back on lap 3. The last couple turns on the last lap. Only then he will break stride and attempt a pass the prey had no idea was coming, and its too late to counter or protect. The race that the prey had led almost the entire way, is now fully in the control of the Assassin. These races are why I keep watching, and why I am yearning to go back the second I leave a track. Its almost race season here in the Midwest folks, can you feel it? I sure can!
Until next time,
Keep the shiny side up!
Read more of Nick's blog posts here!
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