Speed Secrets

I could use a little help. Currently, my Substack is ranked #22 in the sports category, based on the growing number of subscribers. As far as I can tell, it’s the only motorsport Substack in the top 100 (which I’m kinda pleased with), I’d love to see if we could get it in the top 10 amongst all the stick and ball sports. That’s where you come in: If you’re a current subscriber, please share with your fellow driving geeks and ask them to subscribe; if you’re not a subscriber, please sign up to receive regular driving tips, stories and opinion pieces… for free.

Go to https://rossbentley.substack.com.

Thanks!

drivefaster

Guess where I’m coaching today?

racetrack speedsecret

This post struck a nerve for many drivers: https://rossbentley.substack.com/p/speed-secrets-models-principles-and

As one reader said, "It’s been a little while since I read an article on braking that I thought moved the needle for me and this one did... After reading this one it hit me like a purse full of bricks. And then the thought process bullet summary gave me a framework to habitualize it straight away."

Let me know what you think.

Yesterday was an amazingly special day, as the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit and Porsche Centre Victoria hosted an event in support of the Island Kids Cancer Association. Porsche owners, unselfishly spent the majority of the day giving rides to kids (and their families), and donating to the cause. At the end of the day, the smiles on everyone's faces made it hugely successful, and of course, having raised $210,000 made it even better!

Thank you to all the participants, and the teams from the GAIN Group, Porsche Centre Victoria, and Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit for making this happen. I can't help stop smiling thinking about the smiles on the kids' faces as they came in off the track! Best wishes to all!

.victoria

Guess where I’m racing this weekend?

Guess where I’m coaching 1-on-1 with a great driver who loves to learn today?

racetrack speedsecret

In the spirit of great explorers like Marco Polo, Ferdinand Magellan, and James Cook, I’ve been discovering new lands in the non-sailing ship I call Lotus Elan S4. On a recent expedition I found twisty and tree-lined roads, a line of geese in a lake, and ice cream!

Over the next few months I'll be sharing some of the most important driving info: mental models and key principles — the kind of stuff that make top level pros stand out. Today's post begins the story...

https://rossbentley.substack.com/p/speed-secrets-think-like-a-pro-drive

I LIKE this. ChampCar Endurance Series is in a good place right now in the "budget endurance racing" scene, with good competition, reasonable cost, good tracks, good officiating... overall, I think it has hit a sweet spot for club racers. And BFG... well, you know that I've been doing some work for them (wrote a Performance Driver's Guide that you can download for free at https://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/auto/learn/performance-driving-guide). I have also driven 3 races (a total of about 26 hours) on the Rival + tire, and I'm super impressed with it. In fact, I'm going to drive the VIR ChampCar race the first weekend in August, too (if you're planning to be there, say hello).

So, big congrats to ChampCar Endurance Series and BFGoodrich Tires!

ChampCar Endurance Series names BFGoodrich Tires as its official tire partner, but what does that mean for competitors? For starters, rebates toward select BFGoodrich tires.

In addition to the rebate program, ChampCar racers also receive special access at select races to BFGoodrich resources like its recently launched BFGoodrich Performance Driving Guide, co-authored by brand ambassador Ross Bentley.

Likewise, BFGoodrich’s “Team T/A,” which originally traveled to venues across the country supporting racers with driving advice, mechanical tips and tire support throughout the 1970s and 1980s, marks its return, this time consisting of a dedicated ChampCar effort piloted by both BFGoodrich employees and “featured guest drivers.”

Back in April, at the ChampCar race at Daytona, we were guest drivers for BFGoodrich, assisting the team in finishing in 16th place out of a field of 100 entries.

“Cementing this relationship with ChampCar is the latest step in bringing BFGoodrich’s ultra-high performance efforts back to the forefront,” said T.J. Dennis, BFGoodrich Ultra-High Performance (UHP) Brand Manager. “This partnership is mutually beneficial for each brand, and we’re eager to help ChampCar racers reach another level of performance.”

BFGoodrich also notes that the g-Force Rival+, now listed on n ChampCar’s “whitelist” of approved tires, is currently available in 14 sizes, ranging from 205/50R15 to 305/30R19.

“I’m excited to welcome BFGoodrich as a Series Partner of the ChampCar Endurance Series,” said Mike Chisek, President and CEO of ChampCar. “It’s great to see the grassroots support BFGoodrich has for road racing, and their new g-Force Rival+ tire is proving to be a great choice for our endurance road racing teams.”

📷️ BFGoodrich

You know how I always say that the key to being really fast is the "Timing and rate of release of the brakes"? Well, except in F1. Ugh! https://www.instagram.com/p/DaXCYAToIFw/