October 2010
Something a bit different this month. Caterhams make awesome track cars as we all know, but here is one hillclimbing. Track action is relatively safe and so are some hillclimbs, but this guy (and everyone who competed that day) must have nuggets of steel - would you just look at the number of things there are to hit if this goes wrong. Anyway - enjoy - only the one mistake that I can see means that man, machine and track and in harmony here. The only information missing is where this is - anyone got any ideas?
April 2010
Interesting one this month. This guy is very familiar with his car and has good appreciation for line and gear. His braking is mostly smooth yet tentative, but his throttle work is erratic. I know that the glorious sound of the triple-carbed six makes it difficult to tell what he is doing with his right foot some of the time, but he would benefit from some work in this area alone to give him a more complete arsenal of track-day skills.
The video also highlights something else interesting, in that between 7:45 and 8:15 there are two cases worthy of mention, the first being poor observation by the red M3. There are clearly no hard and fast overtaking rules in place on the day so his large move from extreme left to middle right to take his line for the corner doesn't allow for our closing camera car. The second is classic indecision giving the kitcar driver a palpitation or two, I would have thought. Either hang back or pass - but don't put yourself in a position where you have to sit in someone's blind spot as he turns - be clear about your own decision making.
February 2010
Since there is a 205 for sale in the classifieds, I thought that this might be appropriate! A few odd gearchanges here and there (although Cadwell does offer unique challenges), but this guy, like last month's would be a pleasure to work with. He knows his car, has a great appreciation for lines and the overall lap is very sweet. Shows how quick and versatile the original 205 was, and even one with the standard 8v engine is quick - the Mi16 engine makes them serious indeed, as the TVR driver is working out!
January 2010
This guy would be a pleasure to instruct. Very few bad habits to speak of, but a lovely flowing style with great control, great ideas about line and the admirable quality of not getting distracted by the Ferrari in front of him. After that passes him, his lines are still clean and efficient and he drives his own lap, effectively ignoring the red machine, yet still managing to keep good awareness of how the Ferrari (and other traffic) needs to be considered when making his acceleration, braking and cornering decisions. Nice stuff, Mark!