I've driven at about 40 HPDEs and this is only my second spin and my first off. Does that mean I haven't been really trying all that hard these past couple of years? (Answer - HPDEs are not races, so one shouldn't spin, go off, wreck-n-roll, etc.)
The video starts about a half lap before, includes a slow-mo clip, and me missing the black flag shown in my honor. My CarChip showed that I was going somewhere between 55 and 60 at the time of the spin.
I normally expect the car to push if I'm going too fast in a turn, unless I'm braking. This time I was picking up the throttle a bit and already in the turn. There is a little trick to getting from the hard right-hander to the hard left-hander, but I did that right. That last little bit of steering input must have been too much.
I'm not sure what that whistling sound is. The mics are mounted on my rear bumper. I thought it could be the turbo on car behind me but the sound was still there after he passed me.
At the end of the video, were the course workers waving the black flag? If so, it usually means that you need to pit. At our events, if anyone goes 4 wheels off, that person must come in to the pit. If he/she doesn't, then he'll get black flagged. I'm assuming that was what they were doing since you said in the video that it happened later in the same lap as you spun.
__________________ 2009 BMW 335i Coupe, Alpine White/Black Dakota, 6MT
2010 Audi S4, Ibis White/Magma Red, 6MT
I missed the first black flag. That corner worker wasn't doing much to get my attention, plus I was watching that Corvette pretty closely. I saw both black flags on the next lap and came in.
We do have a policy about black-flagging you if you go off, but I wasn't rattled or anything and just started driving again, feeling out the car to see if anything was wrong, etc.
My camera and mics are powered by their own batteries, plus I do have an in-line filter for powered stuff like my bullet cams and PNP box. It could be RF noise.
I was increasing throttle when I spun. I think the last bit of steering input upset things.
One thing I do recall now was that in the off-camber right-hander before the spin I noted greasiness of the track and made a mental note of it, that the afternoon heat is finally making things a bit slippery, and that I had batter start taking that into account. The very next turn I spun. Didn't take my own advice.
Looked/sounded to me like you lifted in the middle of the corner right before you spun, which transfered weight forward, causing the rear to "swap ends".
I don't think the corner before had much to do with it, with was a right hander.
As far as only spinning twice, and having one off in 40 track days... Everyone needs to drive at their own pace, and at their own risk level because at the end of the day you are the one that needs to drive your car home.
I know I've had more than 2 spins, in what is probably about 1/3rd that many days, but I have a problem of being too competitive ---> Telling my brain to go slow doesn't work well.
Looks to me like you lifted in the middle of the corner just before you spun... which caused the rear to swap ends on you...
As far as only 2 spins and 1 off, it's personal choice on how hard you want to run your car. I know I've had more than 2 spins, and probable 3 -4 offs in about 10-12 track days (man, it has been a long time), but I also know that I have a problem telling my brain to slow it down, I'm too competitive.
Part of being fast is driving on the edge, and you can't be on the edge if you don't know where it is, which generally requires going past it at some point.
Eh, offs are a fact of life, IMO. No, you shouldn't be pushing it that hard in an HPDE setting, but if you didn't push hard every now and then, you wouldn't be able to make the leap to W2W (if you so desire) as easily, IMO. I've had more offs than I care to admit, mostly because I run out of talent before I run out of car or pavement. However, I've learned from each one, so I don't think offs are necessarily bad, unless you don't analyze the situation afterwards to determine what sent you off and take appropriate corrective action.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
However, I've learned from each one, so I don't think offs are necessarily bad, unless you don't analyze the situation afterwards to determine what sent you off and take appropriate corrective action. 
Linear Mode
