Exceptions

[Shaun]

In general there are too many rules accepted as true. Thought it might be good to start a thread where anyone can list just a couple of exceptions to the really long list of "rules" in high performance and driving; both setup and driving or anything related.

The format should be: [Rule] followed by [Exception 1, 2, 3, etc.]. Even simple thought experiments that lead to conclusions contrary to the supposed rule work.

In a couple of months the list of exceptions to all these "rules" should be pretty long and I think any tracker following the thread will improve his reasoning ability and realize how careful to be before accepting rules.

Certain rules will generate a lot of discussion, and they should have their own dedicated topic started, also in the track folder. This master thread, however, should be the master list that covers each rule and its exceptions, only briefly.

So have at it folks...

 

[Shaun]

Re: Exceptions

Doesn't need to be anything complex. A simple first example:

Supposed rule - The better a driving shoe, the thinner and more flexible its sole because you can feel the pedals.

But if you're running one or more of the following, the reverse may apply:
- unassisted brakes with a low mechanical advantage and/or hydraulic ratio
- a car with little pedal box space and so very narrow pedals
- high downforce racecar

Basically anytime you have very high pedal loads that hurt your foot, a stiffer sole that distributes the load better will help.

 

[AC Schnitzer]

Re: Exceptions

Since most of us here are obsess with Horsepower, let talk about horsepower. Very easy to relate to.

Supposed Rule: Horsepower gets you better lap times than cars with lower horsepower.

Exceptions:

• 50% or more Corners are low speed corners (2nd, 3rd gear or 40-100kph)

• Power Delivery (How much torque available at XYZ RPM & how quickly it kicks in)

• Wet Surface (1mm and above)

• Lower Car Weight

Rationale:

50% or more of the corners are low speed corners: If you spend more time in corners than straight and therefore horsepower has little help in corner speed.

Power Delivery: If too much power comes in too late and too much or comes in too much and too early, balance of the car is upset and therefore affecting corner speed.

Wet Surface: Horsepower is only useful if traction levels matches the demand. Wet surface means lesser traction levels between surface and tyres and therefore has little use. This translate to driver struggling to find and break traction which then upsets the balance of the car. More thought process in taming horsepower than focusing on driving at the limits/finding more traction.

Lower Car Weight: Horsepower = fast on Straights, Lighter weight, fast everywhere.

Please feel free to add more.

 

[Gerald81]

Re: Exceptions

Here's an easy one (actually a no brainer so I'm almost embarrassed to mention it, haha):

Supposed rule:
Taking the straightest line through a corner allows you to carry the highest speed (i.e. geometric racing line)

Exceptions:
- Wet weather and accumulated puddles of water in the corner (eg. turn 9 at Sepang)
- Low to medium speed corner followed by long straight (in which case one might consider taking a later apex to prioritise corner exit speed over cornering speed)
- Complex series of corners (one may consider a racing line that prioritises exit speed for last corner in the series)

 

[Tianzo]

Re: Exceptions

Hmmm.... I know this is pretty Newb, but I like this one! Hopefully it makes sense!

Supposed Rule:

Brake on the straights before approaching a corner, look out for the distance markers before each corner. if not you will be carrying too much speed into the Apex and you will be out of your supposed racing line. Be extra careful on Turn 13 - 14 where you are entering a high speed corner into an almost blind right corner.

Exceptions:

Cant think of any exceptions, unless you are a drifter and/or someone who like to end up on the dirt.

 

[Shaun]

Re: Exceptions

Tianzo, good one mate. Remembering brake markers is definitely good practice

However the purpose of this thread is to list commonly repeated rules that aren't actually rules because they have some clear exceptions. This way, drivers learn to think quickly and accurately about most supposed rules, and in the process become less rule bound, more conceptual and willing to run quick thought experiments or real life tests before coming to conclusion on a supposed rule.

===

Supposed rules:
- Riding the circumference of a G-G envelope is the fastest way round the track and all drivers should strive to do that in order to be fast.
- Drivers should never lean their head in a turn because it affects visual perception.

Exceptions: Anyone?