[m463]

I remember learning to race on the track.

In the sharp turns, you feel like that's where you should try really hard to go fast. Because you're going so slow!

But really, it makes more sense to slow down MORE, be smooth and controlled and get the turn right. And you'll get a better drive and be faster later. slow in, fast out.

also, the math wins - going 1mph faster on the 1/4-mile straightaway works out better than going 1mph faster on the 100-foot slow turn.

[GuB-42]

While I agree with the idea, the math is misleading.

Going 1mph faster on the 100-foot turn may be faster overall than going 1mph faster on the 1/4-mile straightaway if the speed difference is large enough.

Ex:

- 1/4-mile at 100 mph takes 9s, at 101 mph, it will take 8.9s

- 100 ft at 20 mph takes 3.8s, at 21 mph it will take 3.2s

It means that overall, in this situation, it is better to go 1 mph more on the turn (8.9 + 3.8 > 9 + 3.2).

[tanseydavid]

It is a metaphor.

Getting pedantic about the simple math laid out in the metaphor seems like you have lost the plot.

[m463]

hmm... this is all my remembering old stuff. I thought there was better math when you go faster on the long parts vs trying to go faster on the short difficult parts?

better instead to use the short stuff to set up for better speeds on longer parts.

oh whatever.

[lelanthran]

With racing, in particular, the high accident zones are the corners so that's where extra care is required.

Hence, in racing, the common advice to newbies is "to finish first, first you must finish".

IOW, make fewer mistakes before you try to go faster.

[soltanov]

Being fast is good, if there is not any obstacle on the way)