First track day and I'm terrified

[Goingnowherefast]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

I go as far as when I'm with novices, I don't allow dataloggers or timers in the car. With private coaching clients, I'll remind them that they had previously stated that they were more interested in learning to be a better driver, rather than going faster.

Absolutely the right move. Having the student watch timing while learning the track or performance driving in general is a bad idea.

One thing I use when I instruct, is I pop my external GPS in the window and have a lap timer running on my phone where the student cannot see that I'm even recording. I record the first session of the day and the last. When were debriefing after the last session I drop the bombshell which is usually "you went 10 seconds faster throughout the day just by learning the track and learning more driver skills". Then I go on to explain that's why the biggest time gain to be had is by improving the meatbag behind the wheel - not fancy parts.

[alphasaur]

I measured my time with "track addict", by measuring I just turned it on before my heat and then stored my phone away and peaked at it after the heat when the car was parked. I just tried to get better lines every lap, which seemed to have a positive effect on my lap times.

I can see how constantly watching times would be distracting.

[TommyW]

Watching a timer while on track IMO is never a good idea no matter your ability level. I use a Vbox that mounts up on the upper windshield pointed at the sky. I’ll look at the data at night and compare laps for Line, breaking points, Gs, speed etc and it’s a great tool for improvement. It helped get me down into the 1:40s at Laguna. I’m an intermediate driver.

[timurrrr]

Originally Posted by TommyW

Watching a timer while on track IMO is never a good idea no matter your ability level.

A color-coded time delta display is a useful way to get instant feedback for intermediate+ drivers.
You can try a different line or gear in a corner and instantly see if it was faster or slower than usual, and by how much.

It's also a useful input when you're doing time attack / 86 cup / etc.
— you know when to stop pushing a lap if you know it's not likely going to be faster than your previous best.

Race cars (GT3, F1) have time delta in real time.
You can practice using time delta in sims, iRacing has it for all cars.

Strongly don't recommend time delta (or any other real-time data checking) for beginners though.

[TommyW]

Originally Posted by timurrrr

A color-coded time delta display is a useful way to get instant feedback for intermediate+ drivers.
You can try a different line or gear in a corner and instantly see if it was faster or slower than usual, and by how much.

It's also a useful input when you're doing time attack / 86 cup / etc.
— you know when to stop pushing a lap if you know it's not likely going to be faster than your previous best.

Race cars (GT3, F1) have time delta in real time.
You can practice using time delta in sims, iRacing has it for all cars.

Strongly don't recommend time delta (or any other real-time data checking) for beginners though.

Thanks Timur good to know. Yes Asetto Corsa has it also. Would be interesting to use while actually on a track.

[Joon525]

Originally Posted by alphasaur

Oh sure thank you! What time did you end up running?

1:47.67