What makes a good driver?

[Denis]

In rockcrawling, it's about picking the right line, tire placement, driver/spotter communication.

What makes a good desert race driver? Knowing the limits of your vehicle in certain terrain and not being afraid to push it to that limit?

[Dirty Harry]

I am sure that there are others on here who know a whole more about this than I do. I had the chance to spend some time with Rod Hall a few months ago at an event he hosted in Elko and had the same question. Rod is pretty modest and chalked it up mainly to luck, but no one is THAT lucky.

Others on his team had more to say. Rod comes across like the kind of guy that would forgot to put his shoes on the right feet, but he remembers EVERY detail of EVERY course he has ever raced on. That gives you an advantage, being able to anticipate what is approaching. Also, knowing your vehicle well enough to push it without breaking it is important in distance/endurance races. Everyone loves Robby Gordon, but how many times does the guy DNF? Sometimes you need to go slow, and sometimes you need to go fast, and you always need to be able to know the difference.

I wish I had more firsthand knowledge in this area, maybe in the future...

[rusty_tlc]

I have never been in competition but I know when you are hauling butt in the desert being able to split the though process into three parts helps. One part is reading the terrian ahead looking for likely locations of sharp turns, gullies, washboard etc. the other part is memorizing the road within "avoidence" distance ahead, the last bit is actually negotiating the road on the best line.

I think picking the right line driving fast is important, judging how loose the surface is, how tight the turn is, and what your rig will do, then picking the right approach and speed.

[J.J.]

for desert racing, you have to push passed the "limit" to be good. you can't be afraid to fawk **** up, but you can't be stupid either.

[Sierra Valley]

and you know about desert racing from??? :no: :D :gapteeth:

[Dirty Harry]

for desert racing, you have to push passed the "limit" to be good. you can't be afraid to fawk **** up, but you can't be stupid either.

Everyone I talked to said that this was the case for Class 1 cars and Trophy Trucks since they make such crazy horsepower, but for the rest of the classes they suggested that would just lead to rolls, broken parts, and DNFs.

[J.J.]

and you know about desert racing from??? :no: :D :gapteeth:

i've been to races and talked to a few drivers. i'm extremely into desert racing, it's a passion of mine, just like nascar is to some people. :gapteeth:

besides, i grew up in socal, what can i say? :D

[Baja or Bust]

I think what makes a good driver is being smooth and on the edge of what u can do and what your truck can do . Also its all about picking the right line and know when to go slow and when to flogg it!! Alot of it is all a mind game

[adbaker]

Baja or Bust is absolutely right when it comes to being smooth, alot comes down to procuring your vehicle when you can. For example in transistions between fast and slow, you never want to be running full throttle then lock em up and vise versa. Ideally you should have an idea of what is ahead and respond with somewhat of a rythmn.....Much easier said than done. Not only do you need to find a balance between tearing your vehicle to shreds and driving a solid pace, you need to maintain it for hours while bouncing around in your seat.

Having the balls to run in the dust is a big part also!!

[rusty_tlc]

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a171/Rusty_clt/Stuff/Batman-Robin.jpg

[Samco Fab]

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a171/Rusty_clt/Stuff/Batman-Robin.jpg

Dont hate on the fast guys slowey:nono:

[rusty_tlc]

Dont hate on the fast guys slowey:nono:

No hating, just remarking on the mad necromancer skilzs, bringing a thread back to life after it being more than six months dead and all. :eek:

[Samco Fab]

He just went with a Veteran thread instead of a young punk thread;)

And that was his first post, he was a virgin. He did not want his first time to be with some other virgin thread, he wanted a girl with some experience.

Anyways, a good driver thread is never an out of date subject:thumbsup:

[adbaker]

No hating, just remarking on the mad necromancer skilzs, bringing a thread back to life after it being more than six months dead and all. :eek:

It is hard to believe that this thread has been up for six months and no one has mentioned driving/passing in the dust! like I said that takes balls!!!

speaking of necromancing: I like my women like I like my shrimp.







Battered!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rusty_tlc]

It is hard to believe that this thread has been up for six months and no one has mentioned driving/passing in the dust! like I said that takes balls!!!

speaking of necromancing: I like my women like I like my shrimp.







Battered!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome noob.
It's a good thread to bring back to life. :thumbsup:

[Baja or Bust]

It is hard to believe that this thread has been up for six months and no one has mentioned driving/passing in the dust! like I said that takes balls!!!



I know a guy that would NERF people out of the way to pass them in a race, then he would feel bad and let them back by!!!!!:D

[adbaker]

I know a guy that would NERF people out of the way to pass them in a race, then he would feel bad and let them back by!!!!!:D


like you said earlier, it is a mind game!!!!;)
that guy must be either really stupid or pure genious