Poll: who has "official" racing experience?
 

I've noticed a common theme in GS members: many have mentioned auto racing backgrounds.

It doesn't really surprise me: mastering the art of driving hyper efficiently is similar in many ways to trying to shave seconds off lap times on a track.

Plus some racing background applies directly to FE driving: e.g. taking the widest possible safe line through a turn, to minimize the amount of braking necessary & save momentum.

So, let's see if I can set up a poll that has multiple choice. Check all that apply to your "official" automotive racing experience...

Does bicycle racing count?:D

i took a saftey course. does that count

and if it's virtual then i've won 6 nascars, 3 fallout2, 2 fallout, and a trucking job i havent compleated yet :D

Experience
 

In order from oldest to newest:

• Emergency Driver Training (4-years, once a year): Cert. on Ambulance (Types I, II, III), Pumper/Ladder Truck, Tanker, Rescue Truck
• Autocross Driver Training and 2-years of competition
• GT, GT2, GT3, GT4 Video Gaming
• Fun stuff with the Evo (on and off road in various conditions)
• Rally Stage Medic (with some courtesy practice fun runs)

I learned the most from Autocross and what can go wrong even at slow speeds -- best "seat of the pants" kind of feel for the dynamics of the car (and what can go right when you go slow in the slow parts, fast in the fast parts, and always hit the apex).

The real-life stuff with the Emergency vehicles was slower in the corners/intersections, higher speeds in the straights, and nevertheless increased awareness of other drivers: more of "planning ahead" driving.

RH77

Nothing in the poll applies to me, done all my racing on 2 wheels.

What about "unofficial" racing experience? ;)

Racing experience.
 

Since your poll criteria doesn't fit me very well.....

At the risk of self-glorification, is anyone interested in the experience of a life-long drag racer and engine builder??

This is what I'm saying. I had the dedicated car, but I was not about sanctioned events. :D

I've played GT1 thru 4.
I've done "fun" drag racing days.
I've been to performance driving school.
I've been to Racing school.
I've driven dedicated race cars "spec ford and Renault" on a closed road course (BIR raceway).
I've used my 98 Integra GSR as a daily driver and a race car (gutted interior, custom racing suspension) on closed road course (BIR raceway and others).
And I've done sanctioned auto cross events.

I still currently hold a sanctioned High speed event license that allows me to race on most of the big raceways around the country. My dream would be to run on Laguna Seca someday. In fact, I'll be racing my VX in some auto crosses this summer.

So yes, I do have some background in racing. ;) It has helped me very much with saving gas and keeping my car from being smashed by idiotic drivers on the road as well.

I think a racing background really can help on being FE conscious. It's almost like "you don't really know how hot that stove top is until you get burned by it". Plus you get knowledge of how systems work on a vehicle, which is KEY in developing FE modifications.

I'm willing to bet that this website has just as much if not more technical content about cars (again, here's my Honda bias showing through) than just about any other automotive message board out there that is still active and not just used as an archive.