Secrets of R/T 2000 Driving

[Gerardo]

Reprinted from Tom Robert's most recent 'Western Blip', here's an excellent piece by Gerardo:

Secrets of R/T 2000 Driving
By Gerardo Bonilla

So, what am I doing giving away my secrets for driving the R/T 2000? Well, I’m not dishing out my closest secrets, but here are a few guidelines that will help you understand our beloved Formula Dodge racecar a little better. Perhaps you’ve learned some of this already, or perhaps not. Consider this an elementary lesson. If you have questions, just ask!

Acceleration
Are you stabby on the power? Do you exit a corner by first using 50% throttle, then going instantly to 100% when it feels right? If so, find ways to get to 100% sooner by using a gradual squeeze from 50% to 100% that begins sooner than the point you would have slammed it to 100%. Practice this in your street car in a parking lot by making the tachometer move slowly from 2000 RPM to 3000 RPM, then drop to 2000 RPM as slowly as you can.


Braking
Braking Tip #1
Many drivers slam the brakes to what they think is threshold. Indeed, many of us have found threshold by listening to the tire squeal in the brake zone. That said, you can increase the total grip at that limit by using a fast press rather than a slam. Press the brakes so that the front of the car compresses the most. If you slam, the tires reach their limits before enough weight has been applied by the nose. Rather than slamming, press very quickly so the nose drops more, applying more weight, allowing the tires to generate more grip before squealing (and hopefully before lockup).

Braking Tip #2
The faster you are going, the more brake pressure the car needs. Likewise, the slower you are going, the less brake pressure. At the end of long straight-aways leading to slow corners with long brake zones, you’ll start with your hardest pressure and “trail” off the brakes even before reaching the turn-in point, where you will bleed off the remaining pressure. Doing this gradually (while downshifting even) requires your foot to be incredibly sensitive to pressure. Do not move your foot to trail the brakes. Instead, just gradually relax the foot and leg muscles that are applying the pressure. Do not move….. relax! You can practice this while sitting in any chair. Simply press the ball of your foot into the floor like your trying to squash an ant, then begin to gradually relax your muscles as if to be merciful to the ant, but never lifting your foot off the floor. (Editor’s note, no animals (or ants) were hurt during the testing of this technique).


Steering
We have all been told to use slower hands through a corner. Have you considered that the initial turn-in is the most critical time to use slower hands? The quickness of your hands not only controls how the car leans into a corner (which affects your grip and stability), but the quickness of your hands also affects the line you’ll have on the way to the apex. Slower hands at entry will often fix line and balance problems you are having at the apex and exit. Consider it. Stay relaxed for best results.


Shifting
Upshifting Tip
Most of you have heard it helps to “pre-load” the shift lever before you upshift each gear. Pre-loading means to gently pull back on the lever with your fingers just before you want to shift, then at the right moment, popping off and on the gas as you pull the lever harder into the next gear. If your upshifts are jumpy, try the pre-load.

Downshifting Tip
It’s amazing to me how bad many of us downshift the cars, even with sequential transmissions, and even drivers who have raced with us for years. Be sure you blip the throttle on every downshift. You only need to blip enough to unload the gears from their negative braking load. Practice in shifter karts when possible. If you can downshift those cleanly, you can easily handle a formula car. It also helps in the R/T 2000 to use a single pump of the clutch for each downshift to clean up the shift if your blips are not perfect.


Drafting
Drafting Tip #1
Have you popped to pass and you just can’t get it done before the brake zone? Try changing where you decide to pass. It’s not always best to pop for the pass right when you catch the car. On long straight-aways, try different points and make note of the results.

Drafting Tip #2
Have you come to the pits hollering to your chief mechanic or instructor that you “can’t keep a draft” behind another car and that it has to be your engine? Think carefully, watch your in-car video, and make absolutely certain you are driving the same way out of a corner when you are following a car as you would when you are alone and apparently faster than Michael Schumacher.


Rain Driving
How will you get faster in the rain? Sure racing line and car setup are important, but when was the last time you did something to improve visibility? If you can see, you will be fast. Try using every method until you find one that works for you. Try Rain-X, Anti-Fog, Fog City, and similar products. Try using a piece of tape rolled up to hold your visor slightly open to allow cool air inside. Try to stay relaxed so you don’t exhale so much into your visor. Try a piece of tape over your nose (ask someone to show you how) that will direct your exhaled air down and away from your visor. If you can see, you will be fast!