In the Quest of Seat-Time
In the darkness of COVID-19 chaos and now, to quote Ned Stark, “winter is coming” it has been a heck of a year for seat-time for all of us. I’ve tried really hard to follow my own methodologies with some success, in this game of cones we call AX.
Normally, during the AX season the KC Region has one or even two “solo schools” for novice and not-so-novice drivers, looking to get better. It’s a great school that offers one-on-on, in-car driving instructors in the student’s own car. Students also get lunch that day and free entry to the next day’s AX event–to try their new-found skills. I always volunteer to instruct…hoping my student(s) will get a leg up on AX and have more fun…something I didn’t have when I started.
The way I instruct is different than the other instructors…to be clear, the others are perfectly fine and we appreciate and need all they do! It’s just… different, based on my own ideologies.
After a mind-numbing, info-packed course walk with them, I start by taking their car out myself on the first run, instead of the reverse. Driving slowly, showing them “the line” (though, I don’t call it that) where I want them to drive…explaining not just how, when, but why AND why not. I give each a pre-printed list I’ve made of important objectives that we will practice and tell them to refer to it from now on…explaining that even I forget my own suggestions years later, adding they work for anyone no matter their experience. Due to space limitations…I could write pages on each subject, but very, briefly here is the was the list I was going to use for this year. Keep in mind I’m being very, very brief in my descriptions:
LOOK AHEAD
Better yet, memorize the course, walk it 2-3 times. When you’re better, and want to be competitive, walk alone–not chit-chatting with others except for a second opinions etc.
BE SMOOTH
Not just steering inputs, either. The brakes, the gas…later, use muscle memory as a tool.
CAR PLACEMENT
Similar to what many call “the line,” but this is more technical and specific, allowing you to get faster times.
BRAKE LATE (in a straight line) & GET ON THE GAS EARLY
More experienced drivers get advice on how, when and where nose-tucking, power-on exit-oversteer and trail-braking is needed.
SURPRESS YOUR FEAR(s)
Like fear of failure and others. It will slow you down in AX and RX! This is more important than you imagine and even if you think you are doing it, its improbable that you’re fully succeeding. It’s hard. Some fears are good…they help you focus. It’s complex.
SEAT-TIME-
O.K., yes, going to more events and try to win or beat the other guy is good, but that’s not the kind of seat-time I’m talking about. It’s such a singular methodology and time consuming to explain…forgive me. Essentially, go to events to practice your skills, not to win.
BE AGGRESSIVE
Drive like you’re mad. Starting with your first run. Being in-shape will also help you with this by your 5th or 6th run or the second day. This is, again, for the more experienced.
LEARN TO LEFT-FOOT BRAKE
Its almost required for boosted cars, and yes, I know there are many National champions who don’t left foot-brake. I say… always stack the deck in your favor.
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
I don’t put this on, maybe I should. It’s emotion-based like a few of the above. I do talk about it to the student. It’s not just telling yourself “I can do this” either. It’s important because at a certain point in your AX or RX life, this very well could be the ONE deciding factor if you win or lose…
There is more, of course. It’s easy for people to simplify AX as just “driving around in a parking-lot,” but there is SO much to it…and not just at its highest level.
You might be asking yourself which one of the above is the most important? Imagine, for example, someone who looks ahead and has memorized the course, but jerks the wheel–breaking the car loose in every element. For me, I have most of them down so I’m went for seat-time this crazy year. So far this year I got in 17 AX events, a Divisional, 2 PRO-SOLO’s, 6 RX, the RX Natl’s and the recent RX Natl’ Tour (the last two don’t really count as my kind of “seat-time”)…barely 1/3 of a season. I know what you are thinking…it’s a lot. This is one way I can be competitive at the highest level, but I’m telling you–my kind of seat-time will work for you, no matter your talent level. If I can do, you can too!
Speaking of getting seat-time, although their AX season is over now, I really like going to the Saint Louis Region events. Recently, I went to event #6 September 20th. Three hours from K.C., but on this side of Saint Louis, proper. They run, arguably, the tightest events around. It’s $45 for 6 runs. Registration ends at a sharp 8:15 am. The short, to-the-point driver’s meeting is at 9:00, FCO at 9:30 (that day it was 9:20am) On non-bumpy asphalt, it was a long but fast course…45 seconds for cars like mine, 50 to 60 seconds for most…after 122 drivers, we were done by 3:30pm.
WAIT! There is more AX and RX events left this year. Come out to a RX event and I’ll buy you lunch! Here is what I found:
November 1st
KS Region RX in a new site in Lecompton, KS. 45 minutes from K.C. just off I-70 between Lawrence and Topeka. Figure 10 to 12+ runs. $35. Free lunch. It’s a charity event.
November 1st
Wichita Region AX at the Hutchison Naval Air Base. 3 hrs from K.C., the concrete is the same age and texture as Lincoln, so one of my favorites for practice. It’s a runway like Salina Region but wider. 5 to 6 runs for only $25
November 8th
KC Region RX at The Thunder Valley Sand Drags in Grain Valley. Figure 8 to 10 runs. $45.
November 8th
Salina Region AX, at the East Crawford Recreational Area, 3 hrs away. The most grippy concrete around. Old tires turn good again! It’s a runway. Figure 5 runs for only $25.
November 8th
In North-East O.K. is a NEOKLA Region AX, in the Tulsa Fairgrounds. I love it. It’s a big site (sometimes it’s at a big area at a airbase near-by which is concrete) with long runs. Asphalt with some bumps. It the best deal around–you always get 8 runs for $35!
November 22nd
KS Region RX, site TBA. MSR says Carbondale which is 1.5 hrs from K.C. Same as usual…lots of runs, free lunch. $35.
December 13th
KS Region RX, site TBA. MSR says Carbondale again. More fun, more food. $35
See you out there!
Mark Hill
4-time SCCA Champion, 500+ AX wins.