An Idea for an Experiment
Before I get started, yes the interview and episode 24 is coming just not as quickly as I’d hoped. Hang in there…
I was thinking the other day about the difference between road racing and oval racing as I begin my journey into learning how to be an adequate road racer. A common theory I’ve heard is that winning in road racing is more about the driver where oval racing is more about the equipment/setup. Now don’t take that the wrong way, and keep in mind that I am primarily an oval racer and oval racing fan. But when a driver heads out on a road course, hitting each apex and corner out perfectly is what wins the race. Passing isn’t as much of an aspect, it is how you hit each lap and how consistently you can manage it.
Oval racing on the other hand has far less corners per lap and for the most part all the corners on a course are the same. Again I realize that each corner has a slightly different feel and even going from seemingly identical tracks like Texas and Atlanta can feel different. The point is once you get the car set to handle those 2/4 corners on a track, learn how to hit them properly and work through traffic, you’re in good shape. On a road course you’re setup isn’t going to make that hairpin be just as simple as that long sweeping double apex turn. Only you can do that.
With that being said, you will see the major teams dominating in NASCAR partially because they have the financial backing to provide the best equipment and best team members possible. In sim racing we all have the same “car” so there is no difference there. We all have different wheel/pedal setups which may have an impact, but I believe that as long as you have a reasonable set and you drive from a position that is comfortable for you then you have what you need. The main differences between sim drivers are skill level, amount of time spent practicing, and race setups.
A bit of background to bring me back to the point of this article. In the past, making the Pro Series in iRacing consisted of a calculation of your Safety Rating and iRating in a 30/70 split. This in theory allowed the most talented and safest drivers to be considered the best of the best without direct competition between them. The system has been evolved this year so that the top 12 drivers in the A Class oval car (Impala A) series in the first 3 seasons of the year who do not already have a Pro license to earn their license and race in the Pro series at the end of the year in season 4 for a chance to make the DWC. While it remains to be seen how this will play out in its inaugural year, I think it is a great idea.
So, what is my point? What is this experiment that I’ve mentioned. I’m getting there, but one last point. I also believe that the thought is, and I’m probably amongst those who think so, that only the people with unlimited time to race and practice can make it.
So my question is, what if you took an average racer with a reasonable, yet limited, amount of time to spend and backed them with a talented team to provide setups, advice, and coaching? What if that driver dedicated all of one season to driving, practicing, learning, and racing the Impala A with that team? Could the resources of a team be enough to bring a mediocre driver to the point where they would qualify for a Pro license?
What if that person as of right now couldn’t control the Impala A to save their life…
I’m interested to hear what you think. And please keep in mind that I in no way mean to disrespect the drivers who have reached that level and what they personally had to do to make it. This is just something I was curious about as I get a better understanding of the mindset of the people that make this sport such a great one.
This entry was posted on Thursday, May 26th, 2011 at 11:23 am and is filed under Information, iRacing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Chad Detillier May 26th, 2011 at 7:02 pm
Well Boss you bring up alot of great points and some tough questions. But from experience I say even with the best setups a mediocre driver still wouldnt make DWC. There is just so much more to it than just being fast. You have to be smart you have to be perfect on pit stops, and you have to know when its time to race. Look at how much the current DWC guys are practicing just to maintain what they have they themselves are fighting to stay in the show therefore if its tough for them imagine how hard it would be for someone mediocre with the same setup. Fact is the cream of the crop rises to the top they are where they are because of who they are NOT what there car is. Obviously a good setup is needed to compete and make it to that level but I think if you watch the DWC races you can tell the difference between the GOOD drivers and the guys with good setups. Thats my opinion. You either got it or you dont.