Driving Technique - Safety First

[RedEye]

Hi guys! Very excited to quickly be marching toward the completion of my cobra for a spring time roll out. One question which continually comes to mind is safety... and reducing 'driver induced error' or otherwise judgement faulted thinking. So here is my question - and I hope that this will receive a great number of objective as well as subjective responses: What driving techniques or otherwise 'rules' do you follow to keep you and your passengers safe and rolling in the right direction while out about on the roads, tracks, and strips of cobra driving.
My principle concern is if you take a 2000lb car and put 450HP of engine to rear wheel drive tires - are there foot work, particular cornering rules or speeds, road conditions, or otherwise decision process factors that a competent and safe driver should always adhere to? It could also be mechanical, tire pressure, electrical, fuel, or engine systems, but anything safety orientated and particularly driving related.

Cool guys, thanks!

[vatdevil]

Need to learn the limits of your skills and the car. Take a driving school or participate in local autocross.

[Dimis]

Congrats on the near completion of your car, its always exciting to hear of new builds.

Regardless of the car, 2 Rules I've always tried to steer wannabe Fangios towards are:

Rule 1) COURTESY
When on the streets, it's not about whether your driving can handle the car, but more about whether OTHERS can handle your driving.

Rule 2) SAFETY
Don't confuse your ability with your ambition.

...and the funniest one I've heard (I believe it's on someones signature line here too):
Anyone who drives faster than you is a maniac, & anyone who drives slower than you is an idiot.


Wishing you many safe and happy years of driving

[CBattaglia]

Basically everything is magnified in a cobra. Driving in rain is like driving on ice, scratch that ... it will react that way on a damp spot. It could get away from you at any speed in any gear.

I agree that taking a driving coarse on a track will help you to learn the limits of the car and yourself. But, check your insurance many are cracking down on taking the car on a track. Even for instructional purposes.

If you look at some of the cobra crashes on Youtube, you will see that they get away from people in the most unusual of circumstances.

Have fun and be careful

[FWB]

respect your car.....if you don't...it WILL kill you.

[Silverback51]

Okay, here is my list.

Don't show off.

If you are going to push it, then put some good tires on it.

It's a new car. Unless you have experience in chassis set up, have it done by a professional, and that includes corner weighing.

I had a one beer limit when driving the Cobra. Maybe two if I was also having dinner and was going to be there for a while.

As others have said, learn the limits of the car and yourself. Autocross is one way, but empty parking lots (obtain permission first) are another great way.

Cobra's are basically race cars with license plates on them. As such you have a lot you can change in regard to spring rates, shock settings, sway bars, tire pressures, etc. Learn how you want the car to respond and set it up accordingly. That reduces the chances of surprises.

[mdross1]

Know exactly how you are feeling the wait will be worth it.Of course there will be the new car jitters while going through the breakin phase.Take your time work things out.Once you become comfortable to travel farther than your neighborhood you can start to learn more about your particular car and especially it's controls.Then and only then should you start testing the limits.Better to creep up on them no need to find out in a panic.
The more you drive the car and become more comfortable you will have questions.So good luck and have fun.
Mike Ross

[Tommy]

Originally Posted by vatdevil

Need to learn the limits of your skills and the car. Take a driving school or participate in local autocross.

+1

No amount of advice is as helpful as learning the limits of tire adhesion of your car in a safe environment.

One last word of advice. When I was an active pilot, statistics showed that the safest pilots were the new ones and the old ones. The new ones still had a little fear to keep them safe, and the old ones had seen enough to know what traps to avoid. The most accident prone pilots had two or three years of experience. They had flown enough to lose their fear, but were not wise enough to avoid problem situations. ... Try to never loose your respect for how truly dangerous your car will always be if you push it too far.

[kevins2]

As I wait for my car to arrive, I've been searching for driving schools in the Northeast. My preference would be to be able to take my car out, get some instruction and then be able to test the limits in an area where I wouldn't hit something if I spun out. Most of the tracks and programs I've read about have requirements on convertibles that the Cobra 427 model with standard behind the driver only rollbar won't meet. So, I assume a driving course in one of their cars will still be beneficial but thought I'd ask around also. I've looked at large parking lots in the area and haven't yet found something appropriate...and getting permission would probably be difficult since everyone is so concerned with liability. Any ideas? I'm in PA just west of Philly.

Regards,

Kevin

[SunDude]

Originally Posted by kevins2

As I wait for my car to arrive, I've been searching for driving schools in the Northeast. My preference would be to be able to take my car out, get some instruction and then be able to test the limits in an area where I wouldn't hit something if I spun out. Most of the tracks and programs I've read about have requirements on convertibles that the Cobra 427 model with standard behind the driver only rollbar won't meet. So, I assume a driving course in one of their cars will still be beneficial but thought I'd ask around also. I've looked at large parking lots in the area and haven't yet found something appropriate...and getting permission would probably be difficult since everyone is so concerned with liability. Any ideas? I'm in PA just west of Philly.

Regards,

Kevin

Kevin -- Cobra Racing Adventures runs at Summit Point Motorsports Park near Washington DC.

RedEye -- I agree with all of Silverback's comments. And with FWB's.

And Dimis -- Check out my signature...

[Bobcat]

Kevins2 ... you might look at the SVT Cobra Mustang Club site . They have open track events somewhat close to you and will put you in a novice class with mandatory class room time/instruction and instructor ( lead/follow since you have one rollbar ) . Their next event is in South Haven , MI and they also run Summit Point outside of Winchester , VA .
Since you have a Cobra replica , you will have to join TCUSA , which is the club they set up so non Mustang guys can run with them .
I`ve done two events with them and they do it right and you will get LOTS of track time . This past Memorial weekend at VIR , I got 300 miles on the track .
You will need an approved helmet and a driving suit is recommended , but not required . I run arm restraints since my ERA is an open cockpit car .... about $40.00 from Simpson .
Great group to run with as Ford also helps support them .

[kevins2]

Thanks Sundude,

I came across Racing Adventures but didn't drill down enough to see the Cobras. I'll check it out.

Also, you can look at my signature too

[RedEye]

Originally Posted by Bobcat

Kevins2 ... you might look at the SVT Cobra Mustang Club site . They have open track events somewhat close to you and will put you in a novice class with mandatory class room time/instruction and instructor ( lead/follow since you have one rollbar ) . Their next event is in South Haven , MI and they also run Summit Point outside of Winchester , VA .
Since you have a Cobra replica , you will have to join TCUSA , which is the club they set up so non Mustang guys can run with them .
I`ve done two events with them and they do it right and you will get LOTS of track time . This past Memorial weekend at VIR , I got 300 miles on the track .
You will need an approved helmet and a driving suit is recommended , but not required . I run arm restraints since my ERA is an open cockpit car .... about $40.00 from Simpson .
Great group to run with as Ford also helps support them .

Thank you everyone, all great advice. Question for Bobcat, do you know where in South Haven MI that their event will be held (I'm from Grand Rapids, MI) so it's very close for me and I might like to go and watch to find out more about it. Thanks.

[vatdevil]

Philadelphia Region SCCA. Go to their solo section.

[Bobcat]

Redeye ... event is at Gingerman Raceway on Sept 22 - 23 . You might want to go to the SVT Cobra Mustang Club website and send Tony an e mail asking if you can spectate and why . We don`t normally allow spectators because of some pretty strict insurance rules . Tony is the man that can say yea or nay , which is why I joined TCUSA . At VIR there was everything from full race `vettes to Miatas , Cobra Mustangs , F150 Lightnings and Cobra replicas . Should be like that at Gingerman . Just make sure your car passes the "broomstick" test for the rollbar .... mine did , so yours should also .

[Sminor]

Originally Posted by kevins2

As I wait for my car to arrive, I've been searching for driving schools in the Northeast. My preference would be to be able to take my car out, get some instruction and then be able to test the limits in an area where I wouldn't hit something if I spun out. Most of the tracks and programs I've read about have requirements on convertibles that the Cobra 427 model with standard behind the driver only rollbar won't meet. So, I assume a driving course in one of their cars will still be beneficial but thought I'd ask around also. I've looked at large parking lots in the area and haven't yet found something appropriate...and getting permission would probably be difficult since everyone is so concerned with liability. Any ideas? I'm in PA just west of Philly.

Regards,

Kevin

Hey Kevin,
During London Cobra Show Week (3rd week of June) the Ohio Cobra Club sponsors a driving school at Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course. You will receive world class instruction there and drive your own Cobra through the Paddock Drills and on the actual racetrack, if you want. Mid-Ohio, Ohio Cobra Club and the London Cobra Show all have web sites that will provide more information.
You don't have to be terrified of your car, but you had better respect it's potential. And like Silverback said, Please put GOOD tires on the beast.
Hope this helps,
steve

[RedEye]

Awesome thanks. I'm having twin roll bars build by a drag car fabricator so i'll confirm with him that they'll pass. Thanks.

[Tom Wells]

Interesting thread.

Sadly, I've known two drivers who were killed in their Cobras on the street.

Both incidents were in daylight on straight roads.

One had never had his car on a track. The other had hundreds of hours on tracks of all kinds and was an excellent race driver.

Not knocking track time - I do as much as I can - but there are NO guarantees...

I like Hal Copple's writeup the best (see message #6): need comments on cobras

Tom

[G-Pete]

Originally Posted by Tom Wells

Interesting thread.
I like Hal Copple's writeup the best (see message #6): need comments on cobras
Tom

Tom I agree, interesting thread. For the OP I suggest to make the clutch as easy as possible. Many drivers having trouble to keep a high powered car in check when the clutch is too stiff.

As for the Hal's writeup - it hits the nail on the head, with one exception :

"In summary, very very few drivers want this kind of attention..."

I have to disagree with that statement. Most of us like to brag about our cars (nothing wrong with it) forged with time, sweat, blood and some $$. Just take a look at London OH once a year
Other than that, nicely done!

[STL Mark]

All good points - especially Hal's - just classic.

I would add, that if you want a really good idea and perspective about respecting these cars, simply ride as a passenger (at speed) in your Cobra. I've tried it a few times. It's a real eye-opener.