Respect vs Fear

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by eschaider

During the course one of the litmus tests the instructors put the students through was driving the cars with and without the OEM traction control turned on. Predictably the students all did better with the traction control on.

Interesting! I did Bondurant three times. The first was the four day class (with the 4th day in the Formula Mazdas, which are the funnest car you'll ever drive). The second and third times were the advanced class in which you get instruction but basically 8 hours of open track with breaks whenever you want/need (note, very easy to get dehydrated).

You're right about the TCS. My experience with TCS was the opposite. They made us leave it on the first two days (in the 4 day class), and then told us we should turn it off on the third. Their words were something like "if you feel TCS kick in and save your butt, remember what you were doing and don't do that again". Very good advice.

Advanced was your choice. My expereince was that the TCS was correcting things that didn't need to be corrected, especially when you figure out the "happy tire is a squealing tire" on turns. If you know the limits of the car in a controlled environment then TCS is a distraction.

Note: Bondurant closed. I think the workers bought it out but I've not heard anything about whether they really are still in business.