Suzuki Samurai was Re: [geeks] SPARC proprietary (waaaay

Mon Oct 27 11:08:16 CST 2003

On Sun, Oct 19, 2003 at 10:48:34PM -0600, Dan Duncan wrote:

> It builds certain skills, but it can't prepare you for situations
> which probably won't happen on a track.  

The physical situation might not exist in terms of the exact objects
involved, but the situation and reactions are there, only more difficult
and with much greater frequency (i.e. perhaps every lap).

> How often does someone on a track brake for a squirrel?

Random, rapid, surprise braking happens all the time in a race.  

It's especially "interesting" with different classes of cars together.

> How many tracks have blind curves?

A lot of them, especially the really good ones.

> Stuff in the lab doesn't always apply to real life, because in
> real life there are far bigger idiots.

True, but racing prepares you for just about anything you'll see on
the "real" road.  

Every single lap on a decent track, with other drivers, features things
like blind curves (including traffic-blinded situations), unexpected
braking, left/right intrusions, and a very high level of required
concentration.  You have to watch, constantly, with less time, higher
speeds, and greater consequences.

Racing forces certain good habits on you, because you cannot get around
the track at speed if you don't have them.

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