The Speed Secrets Podcast | High Performance & Race Driving with Ross Bentley | Tips & conversations to help you drive better

James Colborn and discuss why some drivers love and use data acquisition systems, and some don’t; how he’s become a bit of a guru with data; what it is that he likes so much about using data; and whether data can be over-used. Then we switch to talking about the experience of moving from track day driver to club racer, and then to pro racing – and even back again.

James Chartres and I talk about how a club racer or track day driver can manage all of the things are needed before and at the track, and still allow time to really focus on one’s driving. We also talk about some specific driving techniques, including left- versus right-foot braking, trail braking, and driving a momentum car.

David Ray and I talk about how to get the most out of a HPDE or track day event; common errors and things the best drivers do; the differences between racing and non-competitive track days; and the difference between the “school line” and the “racing line” around a race track.

Colin Braun tells us exactly what the top pro drivers do – the techniques they use to go fast. He shares his thoughts on left-foot braking, trail braking, the use of the throttle (and how Aryton Senna used it), and how to learn the cornering line.

Tom Long and I discuss what it takes to climb the ladder from club racer to being a paid professional driver for a factory IMSA team, the Mazda Road to 24, what a young driver needs to do to gain a pro drive, and finally, how to adapt to driving a car with aerodynamic downforce. […]

Peter Krause and I talk about the most effective and efficient ways to learn to drive a race track that is new to you – providing an actual process – including the use of track maps, video, simulators, track walks, and the priorities for your driving. We also talk about driver coaching, and what makes the best coaches.

In this episode Joey Todd and I talk about low-budget racing (if there is such a thing), what it costs to compete in budget endurance races, where the World Racing League is going and what’s new, what a new HPDE driver should focus on to be prepared for their first event, the Aha! moment that drivers (including Joey) experience, what impact technology (self-driving cars, electronic nannies) will have on our sport in the future, and advice if you’re heading to the track this coming weekend.

In this episode, Kevin York and I talk about the impact his education and background in psychology has had on his own driving, as well as his approach to coaching drivers; we talk about whether instructing can get in the way of being a fast driver; what techniques make the most difference; what question he’s asked that he doesn’t want to be asked ever again!

Jeff and I talk about the favorite drivers he's worked with, and why; what's the difference between the best drivers and the rest; one technique that the best drivers focus on to be really fast; one thing that a driver can do on his own to help tune the handling of his/her car; and what the strangest question he's ever been asked.

In this episode, we talk about the one thing Frank knows now that he wishes he'd known when he started racing; about his Aha! moment when something just clicked in his driving; business lessons that have applied to track driving; instructing; and the 3 things he's seen that the best do (and the rest don't).