philharve
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2005
- Messages
- 1,773
- Reaction score
- 5
- Age
- 73
- Location
- Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom
- Website
- go.to
- Your Mercedes
- W202 C230K Auto 2000
Hi All
Many years ago I read a book entitled: 'Principles of High Performance Driving' written by Jackie Stewart. In point of fact Jackie only wrote the Preface in his own words because his Dyslexia means he has difficulty expressing himself by way of the written word.
In his book, Jackie claims that the skills possessed by F1 drivers could be learned by most drivers with the benefit that they would greatly improve everyday road skills. He could well be right. However, I have often wondered how the average driver could gain these skills if they had no access to a powerful car or a high speed test circuit to develop these skills? Presumably most drivers learn on the open road where they put themselves and other road users at risk in the process.
One facet that has particularly interested me is the different in driving experience between an F1 racing car and a powerful road car, capable of travelling at similar speeds, a Bugatti Veyron (say). One has lite, twitchy steering and requires lightning fast responses to maintain in a straight line. The other seemingly requiring much less steering effort but still demanding a high degree of concentration. The contrast in driving style seems most profound. Is this difference simply due to the mass of the vehicle, its steering geometry, its suspension, its power or a combination of each plus a considerable dollup of skill? Are the skills that different?
I recall seeing James May, a co-presenter on the "Top Gear" programme driving a Bugatti Veyron, admittedly on a near-straight road, at incredible speed with little more effort than a lesser vehicle travelling at 80mph (say). I don't consider May to be an adept racing driver, like the Stig, because his tastes in motors and driving style seem more laid back that either Hammond or Clarkson. How would May fare in an F1 car?
What skills could the average driver learn from his racing counterpart that could improve his everyday performance on the road? Having never driven a really powerful car and only ever sat in a stationery F1 racing car, it is difficult for me to imagine how they compare when in motion.
My C230K feels twitchy at 100mph and I could not imagine myself driving it to its maximum on anything less than smooth, wide, straight roads which you rarely find in the UK. How could I become a smoother, more competent driver at the limit on UK roads? What skills have racing drivers got that I lack that could benefit me and the vast amjority of drivers like me?
REGARDS
Phil
Many years ago I read a book entitled: 'Principles of High Performance Driving' written by Jackie Stewart. In point of fact Jackie only wrote the Preface in his own words because his Dyslexia means he has difficulty expressing himself by way of the written word.
In his book, Jackie claims that the skills possessed by F1 drivers could be learned by most drivers with the benefit that they would greatly improve everyday road skills. He could well be right. However, I have often wondered how the average driver could gain these skills if they had no access to a powerful car or a high speed test circuit to develop these skills? Presumably most drivers learn on the open road where they put themselves and other road users at risk in the process.
One facet that has particularly interested me is the different in driving experience between an F1 racing car and a powerful road car, capable of travelling at similar speeds, a Bugatti Veyron (say). One has lite, twitchy steering and requires lightning fast responses to maintain in a straight line. The other seemingly requiring much less steering effort but still demanding a high degree of concentration. The contrast in driving style seems most profound. Is this difference simply due to the mass of the vehicle, its steering geometry, its suspension, its power or a combination of each plus a considerable dollup of skill? Are the skills that different?
I recall seeing James May, a co-presenter on the "Top Gear" programme driving a Bugatti Veyron, admittedly on a near-straight road, at incredible speed with little more effort than a lesser vehicle travelling at 80mph (say). I don't consider May to be an adept racing driver, like the Stig, because his tastes in motors and driving style seem more laid back that either Hammond or Clarkson. How would May fare in an F1 car?
What skills could the average driver learn from his racing counterpart that could improve his everyday performance on the road? Having never driven a really powerful car and only ever sat in a stationery F1 racing car, it is difficult for me to imagine how they compare when in motion.
My C230K feels twitchy at 100mph and I could not imagine myself driving it to its maximum on anything less than smooth, wide, straight roads which you rarely find in the UK. How could I become a smoother, more competent driver at the limit on UK roads? What skills have racing drivers got that I lack that could benefit me and the vast amjority of drivers like me?
REGARDS
Phil
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