Basic Skillz: Differing Engine/Drivetrain Layouts and the Line

The Lotus Exige is a surgical instrument whereas the Porsche 911 is a Wusthof and the Mini Cooper S is a mini meat cleaver... :)

The better the instrument, the closer one can come to defining points on the track to millimetric accuracy, which should be our goal every time we go out. That's one of the reasons why I like purpose-built cars so much.

The laws of physics define that there is a geometric ideal, which is consistent with what we're trying to achieve in the first place. That geometric ideal is subtly alterable according to supporting data, both in altering car set-up to make it more "answerable to the helm" and in car positioning and the points of various control inputs. This is why data is so important and why, as one moves on up the motor racing hierarchy, that there is so much more attention paid to studying and analyzing the reams of data produced every time folks turn a wheel on track.

I would not generally suggest that a driver "attempt to exploit those (adverse) tendencies on a less than ideal line" because then there is no reasonable way to a) self-evaluate and b) establish a performance base line. Now, if that driver is very, very gifted in car control, I would ask the driver to intentionally make the car unstable and promote a situation where preservation of speed for the longest duration of distance and/or time is the prime directive, lessening the importance of the line. But first, that driver would have to prove to me that their discipline and skill level be demonstrable and that our goals and objectives had nothing to do with driver education!

It is my firm opinion, especially after twenty-five years of driving and racing events at many levels, that a majority of casual and even "professional" drivers cannot and will not develop their skills and discipline enough to perform in such a way to generate nearly infallible data, both literally and figuratively. Therefore, the first order of business is to drive in such a way that you always strive to be "the reference standard," no matter what you're driving. Then you can experiment...