Drivers define track limits, not white lines

Motor racing is about exploring the limits of speed and bravery - it's not tennis!

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It’s not tennis

Here’s my post Austrian GP white line debacle inspired rant, that does lead to some pretty good driving advice and further illuminating how badass racing drivers are - all of them, even the ones supporting such penalties!

Racing drivers are courageous and exceptional individuals, exploring the limits of human potential in the face of terrible physical risk. Their playground is in the interplay between fear and physics, pitting their talents against nature. The rewards of discovering their outer limits are glory and adulation (if that appeals).

The accompanying costs of their hubris and tempting of fate, are often disastrous. That’s the nature of the modern heroes that racing drivers are.

Trying to contain racing drivers with something as arbitrary, and pathetically bureaucratic as a white line, is an insult. But worse than that, it’s an attempt to turn the gladiatorial arena of motor racing into a much more tame and civilised pursuit - a game.

The real track Limit

‘how can I ease up on the left rear tyre without losing significant time’

When you are driving at the limit you are feeling for what is possible, and experimenting with what can give you a faster lap.

You might need to go past your current limit to find out if there is more speed there. You might find that yes, there is potentially more speed there but hell its far more risky.

That’s where your talent for control of the vehicle comes into play, do you have the skill required to keep the kart under perfect control in places on the track where other’s just can’t. Do you have the confidence to take yourself to that limit, and do you have the courage to test it again and again, until eventually you prove the limit by overstepping it and occasionally facing the consequences.

Feeling for the limit - how a driver defines the limit