Quote:
Originally Posted by Locust
In street spec 50lbs is about one and a half 10ths of a second per 60 second course. It makes a difference. My co-driver and I averaged out runs with/without a 200lb passenger and it was roughly six 10ths. Take from that what you will. I'm of the opinion that if you pay the big bucks for national events you shouldn't leave any thousandths on the table.
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Well, I will say my recent runs with a passenger were all much slower than expected. One event my SO came to my final 3 runs and all three were a good 0.5-1 second off pace from the morning and she's about 140lbs. Could have been the weight, could have been not focusing enough.
Also oddly enough, my two most recent back to back events, the car was down on fuel at about 1/4 and lower, which I typically don't plan. Both of those events, I did better than usual. I chalked this up to better driving.
I still find it hard to believe it's worth 0.5 seconds or more. Hundreds, sure, maybe a tenth, ok... but 0.5 is stretching it.
I know an SSC good driver who says he runs clear near the fuel light is almost on. My one buddy who runs in STX actually keeps his spare tire in as he claims it balances the car out, keeping more weight in the rear.
Nationally, of course, I'd say run 1/4 and lower, spare tire out. I think the difference there is you have the best drivers with maxed out cars and hundredths of a second counting.