What would you tell yourself that you know now?

[The Big Bad Wolf]

What are some things that you know now after racing that you wish you knew when you were just getting started?

[LenFC11]

What are some things that you know now after racing that you wish you knew when you were just getting started?

the real costs and time commitment

[Matt Clark]

What are some things that you know now after racing that you wish you knew when you were just getting started?

- the cheaper initial route always ends up more expensive. and much sooner than you expect.

- most people are just doing it that way "because that is how you do it".

- the fast guys are not cheating, they just figured something out that the rest didn't.

- just when you think you are fast, someone shows up & shows you what fast is.

[DanW]

The average person has absolutely no idea how difficult this sport is to become competitive, let alone master it.

[Jim Nash]

I learned that what you don't know can only be learned by going racing. Ask all the questions you can think of. In the end you have to go racing to know. It's an all-in, everybody's different, kind of hobby.

Jim

[Spengo]

the real costs and time commitment

Heck no! I much prefer to lie to myself about that one.

[Pi_guy]

The people truly involved in racing are a cut above the general public.

[Mike B]

Don't spend too much money on whizzy bits that don't make the car faster. Budget more for tires and testing, the two things that are certain to make you faster.

[stonebridge20]

Have Mom make Brownies and always paddock next to Joe Stimola.

I wish I figured this out earlier in my career.

[McGinnis]

You are going to receive many great thoughts and ideas.

The one word that always comes to my mind is "camaraderie" and the long lasting friendships you make with Men and Woman from all professions and walks of life.

[TimH]

The average person has absolutely no idea how difficult this sport is to become competitive, let alone master it.

"How fast does it go?"

[BeerBudgetRacing]

"How fast does it go?"

Always. My normal response is "faster than me."

[FVRacer21]

Racing Law #37

If you purchase an enclosed trailer, it will immediately be filled.

Corollary A to Rule # 37

You can never have a big enough trailer.

Corollary B to Rule #37

Your tow vehicle will get bigger and bigger.

ChrisZ

[FVRacer21]

This is probably the hardest thing I have learned, even though it might be the most fun....

Don't think you can out engineer the designer. Instead spend the time adjusting and tuning it properly.

Redesigning or reengineering the car is fun, but in the end does not make the car go faster.

On the other hand - making the cockpit hospitable to the driver can help.

ChrisZ

I should write a book - I have invented 1000 things that DON'T work on a race car....

[R. Pare]

Things never break back in the shop - they wait until the start of qualifying.


You rarely break anything that you have as a spare in the trailer.

[-pru-]

You’ll spend 10x the time preparing and getting the car to/from the event than you will driving it. Stop now if you’re not committed to that ratio because you’re going to be seriously disappointed when you don’t meet your expectations…

To that end, set low expectations like making it to/from the event with everything still in one piece and completing every session. That is, small steps…Speed and results will come as your knowledge/experience grows.

[mikey]

Buy bitcoin

[cjsmith]

There is more value in making yourself a better driver than making the car faster.
Pay attention to the details, what are the details? Answer…… everything
Get acquainted with good people in your class, how do you find the good people, ask a lot of people.
Just because someone says their new widget is better doesn’t mean it is or it will work on your car.
Make decisions from data not guessing.
Just because someone says they can do a turn flat out doesn’t mean they actually do.
Have a check list, for what to bring to the track and car prep. Yes, I have been burned by not having one.
Don’t tell your wife how much you spent on racing.

[jrh3]

When the new engine, transmission or whatever arrives, new furniture or wardrobe is not far behind.

[pacratt]

cjsmith, I couldn't have put it better - in regards to the basics.
As an instructor, I would also push learning to drive before going fast. Impatience is your #1 nemesis in the beginning.
For a newbie the learning curve is almost vertical but will start to level off the more you learn driving & wrenching.
Seat time - seat time - seat time.
Glenn

P.S. This becomes a lifestyle, not just a hobby.

[Steve Davis]

Always. My normal response is "faster than me."

How about "faster than you EVER want to drive on the highway"...

[Steve Davis]

already said....

[billtebbutt]

1. Buy a little more truck and trailer than you need right now

2. Sleeping in a tent, in the pouring rain, doesn't make you well-rested for the next day's sessions. Figure out at-track/in-trailer accommodation, or resign yourself to the expense of a good sleep and a hot shower in a nearby motel.

3. An all-night thrash, to drive shagged the next day, doesn't usually pay dividends. Sometimes, when there's that much work to do mid weekend, it is best to pull up roots and go back home.

4. Bring darn near every tool/spare part you have to the track. As R. Pare said earlier, that way you won't need them.

5. Lend tools and parts to other racers freely (but keep track of where they are!) - this will pay dividends later on, when you need something you don't have.

6. Find a supplier of racing bits/services that you get along with, that wants your long-term business, and buy everything you can through them EVEN if it is available a little cheaper from somewhere else. Part of what you are buying is their expertise and experience in dealing with 100s of racers/situations over many years, so that extra 50 cents per Dzus fastener that they charge is the best deal going

best,
bt

[brian styczynski]

You’ll spend 10x the time preparing and getting the car to/from the event than you will driving it. Stop now if you’re not committed to that ratio because you’re going to be seriously disappointed when you don’t meet your expectations…

Very true, I never realized it at first...

I kept track of time invested the last few years and calculated I put about 20-25 hours in off track for every 1 hour I spend on track. This includes all the prep and maintenance over winter, between races weekends and car prep at the track. This also includes travel to tracks and shuffling cars and trailer to storage or garage. For the record, I am my own crew, your results may vary. I can't think of much else I would rather be doing.

[Purple Frog]

Shift lights are more honest than your ear. If you spend hours figuring out the right gears for the track, and then don't shift at redline, you are losing time.

[bassracer]

Make it your mission/routine to greet, high five, and thank your corner workers at the earliest opportunity.

[Teuobk]

You’ll spend 10x the time preparing and getting the car to/from the event than you will driving it.

Only 10x? Including towing? Oh man, I feel like I'm more at 30-40x, *excluding* towing.

Jeff

[lbacon]

- the cheaper initial route always ends up more expensive. and much sooner than you expect.

- most people are just doing it that way "because that is how you do it".

- the fast guys are not cheating, they just figured something out that the rest didn't.

- just when you think you are fast, someone shows up & shows you what fast is.

Spot on Matt!!!!

[Sean Gallagher]

Some Days the Jokes on You.

[Steve Davis]

Shift lights are more honest than your ear. If you spend hours figuring out the right gears for the track, and then don't shift at redline, you are losing time.

So right... in the first session at Sebring, I was shifting 'by ear' - I didn't even realize I couldn't see my shift light(s). After I came in, Linda told me I was over revving my engine in 3rd gear on the front straight. I took a look at my data and .. sure enough.. I was shifting some 200-300 RPMs above my normal shift point. I had to make a few changes in the cockpit to 'reacquire' my view of my shift lights (LED train w/RPM). The fact that I couldn't see ANY of them I guess helped me to assume my revs were OK.
Steve

[E1pix]

Our lesson is to never again trust fast-talking strangers selling race cars.