This week I bring you racecraft tips from Sir Jackie Stewart as part of my regular Racecraft & Race Cars Roundup here on Motorsport Prospects.
In addition to racing royalty, you will find details on the racecraft required in Formula E, the importance of the mental game in motorsport and discovering the love for autocross.
All this plus details on three race and track cars, series news and more in this week’s edition of the Racecraft & Race Cars Roundup on Motorsport Prospects.
Racecraft Tips & Techniques
In the video above, Driver 61 looks at racecraft in Formula E. “Look at this – ever wondered why drivers saw away at the wheel? We always say ‘smooth is fast’ – but what about when it isn’t the fastest way? Well, in Formula E – the drivers are SUPER aggressive at the wheel – and it’s for a very good reason. So let me break down how this driving style works, to explain why they AREN’T smooth!“
J.G. Pasternack of GrassRoots Motorsports explains how important the mental game is in motorsport. “In these sports, our physical skills only ever get us so far. Someone can be taught the physical acuity to feel the limits of a tire or the right braking point or line through a corner, but always accessing those skills when it counts is another skill that lies entirely in your head.”
Ross Bentley of Speed Secrets answers the question, what should I do to practice using my mirrors when driving on the road that will not distract me on the track?
In Ross’ Driving Miss Lotus: Skidding Into Focus column he looks into the whole concept of what to do and not to do when skidding. “When we learn to drive, what are we told to do in a skid? “Turn into the skid,” right? Or turn in the opposite direction of the skid. These instructions are deceiving. I’m not saying they’re wrong. Technically, they’re absolutely the right things to do. But the advice is not at all clear, so unlikely to help.”
Photographer and videographer Chris Tropea of GrassRoots Motorsports explains how he rediscovered a love for autocross after putting down his camera. “I was pumped. I forgot how much fun it was to race and not just be at the track shooting photos, even though I still brought my gear to get footage for an upcoming video.”
Episode 39 of the Your Data Driven Podcast talks to F1 engineer Richard Firth on suspension setup and driver feedback.
“Welcome to part 2 of my talk with F1 vehicle dynamics engineer Richard Frith. In part 1 we discussed Richard’s early career, how to go testing and using data to improve your driving. In part 2 you’ll learn about how F1 teams developed great driver feedback, where that fits in their development priorities, how to use that to develop the best setup. We also discuss what to change on your setup for the wet. If you’ve not listened to part 1 yet, I suggest popping back and giving that a listen first. But if you’re all set with that then, grab a pen, grab a coffee, sit back and lets get back into what Richard had to say.”
You can listen here.
The Drive has a great interview with racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart. “Oh yes. I’ve got a big thing about mind management: Don’t get angry. Because when you get angry, you say things that later you wish you had never said. You make bad decisions. I removed emotion and I learned to do that from shooting, because when you got up in the morning and you’re shooting in the world championship or the European championship, or just any event you are on lock tight. If you removed emotion, you’re more relaxed, and you didn’t miss the first target, because in shooting, if you miss a target, you never get it back.”
Race Car & Series Developments
Race Cars News
Nik Berg discusses his first experience testing the Radical SR1 XXR. “The Radical’s cornering capacity is simply incredible. It requires a complete mental and physical recalibration. There’s the speed that I think I can turn in and then there’s the speed at which I actually can turn in – and they are distant cousins.”
Lotus has introduced a modern version of the Type 66 race car. “Housed inside a period-representative chassis – complete with extruded aluminum sections, bonded joints and aluminum honeycomb panels – is a V8 push-rod engine, similar to what the original vehicle would have been spec’d with. Modern day componentry, such as an aluminum forged crank, rod and pistons enable the engine to produce over 840ps at 8,800rpm. The vehicle’s maximum torque output is 746Nm at 7,400rpm. Drive is delivered via a sequential racing gearbox.”
With the launch of the Zenvo Aurora on the eve of Monterey Car Week, the OEM has unveiled additional details of the track-focused and touring iterations. Built on the new Zenovo-designed ZM1 modular monocoque chassis – developed with Managing Composites – the Aurora will come in two different versions. The first is the track-focused Aurora Agil, and the second is the grand tourer, the Aurora Tur. Both models benefit from an aerodynamically led chassis design.
Race Series News
The 2024 edition of the Bathurst 12 Hour will see the implementation of Full Course Yellows for the first time in event history. “Event organizers say the adoption of the FCY procedure, which is widely used by various championships worldwide, is designed to give race control another tool to aid recoveries and safely manage on-track incidents during the twelve-hour race.”
GT2 machinery will be eligible in Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS next year as part of SRO Motorsports Group’s continued global rollout of the platform. “Confirmed at last weekend’s SRO America ‘State of the Sport’ address at Road America, the SRO-homologated class could feature in the GT3-based championship in North America alongside continued eligibility in GT America powered by AWS.”
Next year’s Gulf 12 Hours will revert to a Pro-Am-focused event following the end of its contract with SRO Motorsports Group as a round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli.
Toyota Gazoo Racing North America (TGRNA) has unveiled the 2024 GR Cup schedule. “With three successful inaugural season races under its belt, TGRNA is continuing to partner with SRO America in 2024. And after its early success, the SRO has secured competitive racing for drivers and teams, once again, at some of the most iconic racing venues in North America. Toyota is also excited to announce a $1,000,000 purse and prize package for the upcoming 2024 GR Cup season. The breakdown of the purse will be announced later this year.”
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects. As a former lawyer, he applies his legal background and research skills to assist race drivers by showcasing the resources they need to make their motorsport careers happen.
