Driver's footwork in a Spec Miata race car

Click here to see how the race went that weekend: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXYq6Yg4Tjs

My footwork in the Spec Miata race car at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The car is prepared by Ed Railton and Premier Auto Service.

This footage was taken at the end of a long test day, during which I seriously burned off my tires. As a result it was hard to get a 1:51 lap time, which is about 2-3 seconds slower than it should have been. I did mid-1:48s when I got fresher rubber. In the video I'm feathering the throttle more than usual.

You'll notice the shift from 2nd to 3rd is slower. The 3rd gear synchro is weak in first generation Miatas, and if you shift too fast it hurts the gear.

You'll also notice copious left-foot braking in turns 3 and 10. I start the video during braking for turn 11.

I was surprised I could find a spot for the Contour down there, but it's got a lot of mounting options and it was pretty simple to get a good angle. Some quick settings changes on the lap top and it was good to go.

I like watching the dirt in the footwell shooting back and forth. With nearly 1.5 G, it's like upending a bucket.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• racing
• Spec
• Miata
• Sports
• Car
• Club
• of
• America
• SCCA
• Mazda
• Raceway
• Laguna
• Seca
• driver
• footwork
• heel
• and
• toe
• downshift
• left
• foot
• braking
• trail
• brake

[MadCat360]

@pixelsblack Dirt is a bit different than water, but the driving style is kind of similar in that both need big angles to get the tires to work right. The feel is very different though. Grip loss in the wet is very sudden, but on dirt it is very gradual. Certainly try it if you get the opportunity, but I think you should drive what you like the best - if you like it, chances are you're good at it.

[pixelsblack]

@MadCat360 (This is my last question/comment) and this is just a though and I don't aim to do this, but what happened in the wet kinda gave off the impression to me that I'd be better on sort of low grip surfaces, such as a very low level/basic rally category? (I'm still pretty much a novice and have quite some time to still learn and grow) LOL :/ it was abit like this: youtube.com/watch?v=3gwF3nx00F­E

[MadCat360]

@pixelsblack I think it says you'd be good in high-horsepower cars where throttle control is key. Also sounds like you're pretty handy in the wet.

[pixelsblack]

@MadCat360 during the last round of my c'ship there was heavy rain, the karts were on slicks, massive understeer, like driving on oil, most of the very quick guys would spin out mid corner, I was able to get around quick and was first in my group, trick is to turn in hard and let the back come around and then balance how much the back comes out with the throttle to turn it around the corners, like throttle steering what does this say? would I be better in a different category?

[MadCat360]

@pixelsblack Yeah. The footwork is tough. But coming from karts we have the advantage of being delicate left foot brakers. I used simulators to learn the basic movements and get in the habit of heel-toeing on downshifts. It's pretty simple to adapt what you learn there to a real car. It's the same motions. I don't think I would have had as easy of a time if I didn't use the simulator first.

[pixelsblack]

@MadCat360 I got a chance to drive a formula 1300 single seater last month and coming from karts I couldn't downshift like you do and roll through the corner and put the throttle on the exit .... which is essential for a good laptime, your video showed me the idea, I think a lot of people who came from karts had this problem including myself

[severrnijKGU]

@severrnijKGU from your surprise "inspections".

[severrnijKGU]

@MadCat360 I'm giving you an oficial ID, you are a track agriculture inspector and it is necessary for you to have dirt samples on your person at ALL times... ;)

[MadCat360]

@severrnijKGU It's not dirt from spinning! It's uh... I brought it in with me just for decoration! Yeah.

[severrnijKGU]

0:38 i think its kind of funny when collective dirt from spinning etc. becomes visible during turns.