IMProve Driving SKiLLs

[Phax]

Before this thread turns into the real life applications of Gran Tourismo, I'd like to second the notion that go karting is the best way to develop driving skills. A 100-200cc shifter cart is the closest 99.99% of the world is going to come to driving an F1 style automobile. The power to weight ratios on those things are INSANE, and the suspension / driving dynamics are nearly identical to an F1 car.

After 4 hours in a go kart, no matter what you drive, it will feel slow, sluggish and predictable.

[Phax]

And here's my $.02 about improving your driving skills... 1. Learn to use your turn signals BEFORE you begin changing lanes.

:Werd

Even if someone notices your signal and speeds up, the odds are pretty good that you then can tap your brakes, and drop in behind them. It's not even worth it to be in front of that kind of person, because they'll just ride your bumper anyway.

Quote »3. Going 80mph in 65mph traffic doesn't help ANYBODY. You might get there faster, but only a few minutes faster... assuming you don't get nailed for speeding in the meantime.[/quote]This is so true. If there is visibly traffic on the horizon, you're a moron if you speed up to catch up with it. In 45 seconds, everyone is going to be back at 10-30mph anyway. There are so many people who I've seen fly past me, get maybe two miles ahead over any given 50 mile journey, and then I find myself looking over at them when we get off on the same offramp.

Quote »Why do I post this? Because performance driving has a place, but it's not public roads. You think it's funny, but just wait until some wanker pops out of nowhere and runs you off the road with his (or her) "skills." Keep it real. [/quote]

The best place to drive in a performance oriented fashion is on freeway on and off ramps. In those places, you can generally enter the corners carrying enough speed, and then accelerate after the corner, to have some fun.

Swerving back and forth on the freeway, playing tag with a Porsche turbo while the rest of the world is doing 60-80mph.... that's not quite so cool, smart, or in any other way advisible.