SoundGuyDave
This Space For Rent
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2007
- Posts
- 1,978
- Reaction score
- 28
Unfortunately a tool like this doesn't allow groups to sort out the folks who should be at the track and who shouldn't. Not everyone is cut out to be on track. I am not trying to exclude anyone from trying it but in the end, for anyone who has done a track event, you have seen those drivers who shouldn't really be on the track. I am not saying the heel/toe technique is the sloe reason they should be excluded but it can be an indicator.
I will certainly grant you the fact that a certain percentage of folks who sign up for an HPDE event fall in the "OSB" category... Other Sports Beckon. That said, they are at the very trailing edge of a bell-curve, and aren't as numerous as you may think. Heel/toe proficiency is certainly NOT on the list of things I would consider if making a recommendation to simply pack it up and go home to a student.
For the vast majority of the novice-level drivers that come out to the track, they don't know that they should be rev-matching, since they never even thought of the vehicle dynamics involved in braking/downshifting/turning-in/apexing/accelerating-out.
Heel-toe isn't the be-all/end-all for track driving. It's a technique that helps you be faster and more consistent, but that's about it. There's nothing inherently wrong with braking early, getting down to turn-in speed, releasing the brakes, downshifting, getting into maintenance throttle, and then turning in. Heel/toe simply lets me carry an extra 100-200' or so of acceleration before I start the braking event. Yes, it's worth tenths, if not full seconds per lap, but again, it's not something that would justify ejection from an event, either. Also, I'll argue that if you're a track newbie, there's already MORE then enough going on around you that is unfamiliar and critical to keep a handle on that trying to learn to heel/toe at the same time would be potentially dangerous. Think situational awareness...
Remember, guys, this is supposed to be fun. The barriers to entry are already high enough!
My personal thoughts on the AutoBlip thingey are that it's a neat gadget, but absolutely no substitute for learning to heel/toe properly. As was mentioned before, if you learn to heel/toe, it works in EVERY car you drive. If you haven't noticed, I'm pretty big on driver training...