amazeer wrote:Racing miles wont make anyone a better driver.
Young people dont have the common sense to avoid those things nor the reflexes to cope when they do happen.
Chris , I do understand your train of thought regarding young drivers . However I do not entirely agree with your opinions on this matter .
My following comments are not intended to flog you , just my opinions mate .
You and I were young once !! I had reflexes like lightning , and are still not too bad today . I dont know about you but I practiced my speedway driving at the age of 17 by sliding my V8 chev powered monaro sideways on just about every corner that I could around public streets . ( these days called drift driving )
I drove around quiet back-streets in Kanahooka doing speeds of 120kph in 2nd gear just to see how fast my car was . I had no concern for public safety at that age . THANK GOD NOW THAT NO KID RAN OUT ONTO THE STREET TO FETCH HIS BALL WHEN I WAS PASSING !!
When I met Lisa , I had to get one of my good mates to drive her into Wollongong to the cinemas as her dad wouldn't let her in my car .
I was given the opportunity at the age of 17 to drive a 6-litre methanol injected super sedan at Kembla Grange speedway back in 1982 , just 6 weeks before the track closed down . I had never driven on a speedway track previously and I competed against guys who had many years of experience .
I will never forget the look on the car owners face ( Don Sands ) when I drove back into the pits after the race , as all his family came rushing down to the pits to see who was driving his car . I had done quicker lap times than Don himself and lapped the entire field of 15+ cars twice in a 20 lap race to take the win .
One of the very few regrets that I have in my life is that my father ( Allan ) did not encourage me to pursue racing at other events or tracks at this time in my life after learning from Don about my driving talents .
I never got back to a race track again until 1990 , but the previous driving experience that I had gained on the track definately assisted me with my car control techniques on the road .
I have been very lucky through my younger years to not have any accidents due to my driving style , I have been chased by the police with my brother Rod in the car , and the police couldn't catch us . That was back then and I don't wish my own son to go down this same path .
I know I cant control how he behaves on the street , but I know how I feel after competing at a race meeting , and it makes me feel like cruising on the street and speed is the furtherest thing from your mind . I am hopeful that this will have the same effect on Dean .
If we dont give our younger generation the opportunity to drive on a track , then they will not learn car control . You might think it is routine to race up a Hillclimb , but I disagree . Every single time I sit at the start line looking up the hill that I am about to challenge , there is one thing in my mind . GETTING TO THE FINISH LINE QUICKER THAN I HAVE EVER BEFORE !! This is where car control starts .
How hard should I rev the engine ?
Should I flat change or not ?
How close should I get to the shoulder of the track to take that next turn ?
How deep can I go into that corner before braking ?
Should I gear down before or after the corner ?
Should I back off for that kink or will I try and hold it flat ?
THERE IS NOTHING ROUTINE ABOUT CAR RACING IN ANY FORM IF YOU HAVE THE GOODS !!
My best wishes to any new up and coming teenagers that are going to gain experience from on-track driving prior to getting out onto our public roads . The more you drive , the better !!
