Shifting Technique

[Rob in WA]

I've never done a DE, though I've read a lot and watched a few racing technique videos. There is a stretch of windy ( it get's very little traffic) road near my house that I like to let loose on. Normally I drive very conservatively, but when I get close to home I like to reward myself. I've gotten to the point that I'm in the upper 50 mph range in this section. I have tried two different approaches and I'm not sure which is the best. I can remain in second gear the whole time, but I'm in the upper range, 6300 RPMs +, the majority so I know I lose some torque. Or I can alternate between 2nd and 3rd, but I know I lose time shifting. Which approach is best?

I've thought about shooting a video of this and having the "racers" critique my driving.

[Loren]

IMHO... techiques in turns are all out what is beyond the turn. Do you need to let off because of another turn or accelerate down a straight section. There are likely many combinations and with some complex turns you have to try different techniques (i.e. braking earlier and accelerating sooner or braking later and drifting the car at it's limits). There is an advantage to smooth (speed wise) as opposed to upseting the cars balance with a shift or brake action so you may just need to get a stopwatch ;)

[Palting 996 C4S]

When you say you are at 6300 rpm majority of the time, do you mean you don't reach redline or run out of RPM at any section? If so, stay on second. If you do get close to redline, I would shift, just for the hell of it. It's all about fun, right?

Ok, now that I have said that, STOP what you are doing and GO TO DE!!!!!

It may be lightly travelled, but everything is uncontrolled on the road. All you need is one car or truck that's disabled and blocking, an inattentive teenager who crossed the median, or a dog, or heaven forbid a child who ran out of a parked car after an errant balloon or something, and you have just become either a murderer or a dead man or both. These cars are also designed to go very fast, and, as you get accustomed to the speed, may get into situations you can not drive away from. Do to an autocross and do some spin-outs and recovery, knock over a few cones and have a blast. But DON'T, repeat, DON'T try techniques on the open road and expect "racers" to critique you.

[Rob in WA]

Thanks :) I know, I know, I'm only driving at the most 7/10s (PSM has kicked in a twice though), but your right it's just been so hard to find time (and money) and I'm scared I'll beat the hell out of her at the track. It is a very remote section of road; deer are my biggest fear. My ideal is to get a separate track car that I can beat on.

[Palting 996 C4S]

Autocross is about $20.00 for a day, less than what a full tank of gas would cost. DE about $150.00/day, about the price of a good dinner for two. Aside from a ton of fun, you can get a good sense of what the car and you are capable of. You can't harm your baby if you are sensible. Go for it :).