Ross Bentley

Returns to Help Us Celebrate Our 200th Episode

The Speed Secrets Library — **Ross Bentley’s Speed Secrets Library**

GHIT 0200: Ross Bentley Returns to Celebrate Our 200th Episode

Ross Bentley was kind enough to return for a third time that turned out to be his fourth appearance thanks to the mysteries of podcast recording and his recent episode on the One Lap of America event. Jennifer, Ben, and Bill were able to go through a ton of great questions that were sent in by several of our listeners, as well as a few we had hoped to cover with Ross.

As most of you know, Ross has literally written the book, actually a series, on high performance driving and racing and continues to work with drivers and organizations to increase the skills and effectiveness of the HPDE and coaching of drivers across the world. It is always a great idea to refer back to the Speed Secrets book series to improve your driving and find those little secrets that lead to those precious “ah hah” moments on track and lead to personal best times on track. If we are lucky, Ross will come on again to celebrate podcast episode 250. We actually recorded this episode prior to our victory at Pitt Race. Hopefully this episode will help you to win your next race as well. This may be our most helpful episode ever!

On this episode’s Dominating with Dawson,

Ben addresses the use of anticipation and the use of reaction on a track. As you progress, the more that your skills improve and your experience increases, the more anticipation can be used accurately and allows the driver to react to unexpected actions or issues as they arise due to track conditions or vehicle induced occurrences, both with your own vehicle’s performance and potentially another vehicle or driver’s actions.

You can subscribe to our podcast on the podcast provider of your choice, including the Apple podcast app, Google music, Amazon, and YouTube etc.

Also, if you could give our podcast a (5-star?) rating or even better, a podcast review, we would greatly appreciate it and it would help us to grow the passion and sport of high performance driving.

For instance, leaving an Apple Podcast rating is very easy. If you go to your podcast library, under shows and click on the podcast you can leave a (5?) star rating and enter your review.

A link to the episode is: https://tinyurl.com/RossBentley200

We hope you enjoy this episode!

PS Please don’t forget that if you are looking to add an Apex Pro to your driving telemetry system, don’t forget to use our discount code for all Apex Pro systems you will receive a free Windshield Suction Cup Mount for the system, a savings of $40. Just enter the code “ghitlikesapex!” when you order. We have two systems for our team and Bill is looking to add a third for this season, pending CFO approval from Vicki. They are a great system and truly invaluable in safely increasing your speed on track and/or autocross etc.

Best regards,

Vicki, Jennifer, Alan, and Bill

Hosts of the Garage Heroes In Training Podcast and Garage Heroes In Training racing team drivers

Some of the questions Ross answered on this episode include:

1) Jen asks Ross Bentley about her braking nemesis: Threshold braking: what it is, advantages and disadvantages, when to use it, and what it feels like etc. It’s not all about just braking later despite all the talk in the paddock you may hear.

2) Bill asks what were the biggest changes that he has learned since writing the original “Speed Secrets” book. As expected, Ross has learned a bunch and continues to grow as a driver and a coach.

3) Did you ever wonder what were some of Ross’s favorite drills and exercises at a track day event? After this, you won’t ever be “bored” just lapping around a track one day. Using these drills, you can really look to break through a plateau, even at a track you may have down cold. The first drill Ross discussed is even useful to those top level and world class pro level drivers.

4) Tips for what to prioritize and to include on your track maps/track notes to improve your driving at a particular track. Bill has a weird way of taking notes as part of his preparation for going to a track, but he is always looking to improve them whole at the event. This habit has really been proven to improve both his driving at a single track and his driving overall. As a bonus, we also discuss when and how to include data and/or video into the track map.

5) We look at ways that we use or could use to work towards improving and how we continue to try to improve each time we get to the track, off track, and hopefully each driving stint. Each driver has a particular level of performance that is their individual “10” they are working towards, but we also try to look at ways to create an even higher level and make their personal “10” level even higher. Because, these go to 11! Or at least they should.

6) What are some of the ways to improve your sensing of the available inputs during driving, especially a drivers sense of speed and the other sensory inputs that are often overlooked while driving and may be holding you back from a higher level of performance on track.

7) Alternatives to telemetry to get feedback while on track. Several are available in any car that you may be driving.

8) If you ever wondered about the differences between driving an Indy car and a well sorted GT car, Ross discussed this with us and recalled his calloused elbows, lol.

9) The potential impact of karting on your track driving, how it helps as well as how it differs from driving a car. The advantages and experience that can be gained greatly outweigh any deleterious habits but these are worth noting.

10) How to transition to left foot braking and incorporate it into your track driving. As well as if it is necessary or required.

11) How to break through a plateau. If you’ve ever been stuck and can’t seem to improve, Ross goes through a few of the potential alternatives to breaking through this seemingly unbreakable limit that can be so frustrating.

12) Ross has some great ideas for every tack around the world. He also goes into one of the best ideas for Formula 1 that we have ever heard. Hopefully, the world will listen to Ross’s wisdom.

13) Jennifer goes into the areas of vision and mental imagery to assist with driving in a high performance environment. Some of this we have not ever heard until this episode. Cutting edge research is what you get from the Garage Heroes In Training podcast, lol.

14) If you have ever had to deal with an ill handling car, what can you do without having to come into the pit or make an adjustment to the car.

15) When racing at an endurance race, how to communicate the behavior of the car and what to adjust to hopefully improve the car. We also go into how to learn what the changes will do to your car. Bill has a copy of Ross’s free ebook on the subject, but has not read it yet. You could get one here: https://speedsecrets.com/tune-car-handling/ for free (for a limited time)

16) How to best prepare for your time with a coach. You want to work with a coach right? This way you can maximize the value for the time that you have.

17) The Ross Bentley even begins to coach Jennifer during the episode. This may be a basis for our upcoming episode #250.

18) How to review your own driving video. Yep,that’s here too.

GHIT 0200: Ross Bentley Returns to Celebrate Our 200th Episode

Eric Kaul and Fred Fox

from the Whiskey Tango Fox Kaul Racing Team

GHIT podcast episode #199 has guests Eric Kaul and Fred Fox from the Whiskey Tango Fox Kaul Racing Team

We had been planning to have Eric Kaul on the podcast for several months but couldn’t wait any more after he went to his first wheel to wheel event a few weeks ago at PittRace. We first heard of Eric as a result of his two Facebook groups related to high performance driving and high performance driving fitness. He was joined on this episode by his teammate Fred. They are forming a new racing team to help satisfy their recently acquired wheel to wheel racing itch.

On this episode’s Dominating with Dawson,

Ben gets subjected to the term “Lift Off Oversteer”. Ben has not experienced it to this point, as far as he can tell. We end up discussing what it might be and how it is a result of weight transfer. We also go into how weight transfer can be used to help and to hurt you on a track. Regardless of whether this is a Bigfoot sighting or a real phenomenon, we take a bit of time to discuss the topic and its potential effects.

You can subscribe to our podcast on the podcast provider of your choice, including the Apple podcast app, Google music, Amazon, and YouTube etc.

Also, if you could give our podcast a (5-star?) rating or even better, a podcast review, we would greatly appreciate it and it would help us to grow the passion and sport of high performance driving.

For instance, leaving an Apple Podcast rating is very easy. If you go to your podcast library, under shows and click on the podcast you can leave a (5?) star rating and enter your review.

A link to the episode is: https://tinyurl.com/WhiskeyTangoFoxKaul

We hope you enjoy this episode!

Best regards,

Vicki, Jennifer, Alan, and Bill

Hosts of the Garage Heroes In Training Podcast and Garage Heroes In Training racing team drivers

Highlights from this episode on Eric Kaul and Fred Fox’s team include:

1) Eric manages the High Performance Driving and Racing Enthusiasts and The HPDRE Fit Facebook group to help grow our sport. Fred is also a driving instructor for several groups, as well as a lead driving instructor for Extreme Experience. Their team is in the midst of creating a SpecE46 BMW racing car.

2) At Eric’s first event he was fully sucked in immediately and wanted to drive a second stint as soon as he got out of the car for a driver change. The hook is very set. His long term goal is to drive the Rolex 24 in the next 10 years.

3) Eric and Fred go into how they have each helped grow the sport and assist drivers at all levels improve at the events they attend. We also go into some of the more common areas that people have trouble with at their first few events driving on track.

4) Fred goes into what Extreme Experience is, what the events focus on, and most importantly, why M3ntal, lol. We also cover the various types of learning venues, including high performance driving schools, driving events, driving education, and experience type events. The great thing is that the variability allows each driver to find the exact balance to fit their driving desires and goals.

5) What are the pluses and minuses of helping/instructing a driver from the “right seat” as well as a few track stories. Including what is a “tank slapper” and how to deal with it when/if it occurs.

6) Eric goes into the concept of smooth driving and how it can help being fast. We may need to have a segment with Eric and Ben in the future. I know I’d bring popcorn. lol.

7) How part of improving your driving often involves a bit of being uncomfortable.

8) Eric also goes into the creation and goals of the High Performance Driving and Racing Enthusiasts group and the HPDRE Fit group.

GHIT 0199: Eric Kaul and Fred Fox from the Whiskey Tango Fox Kaul Racing Team

Ross Bentley’s 2021 One Lap of America

On our latest GHIT podcast, episode #198: Ross Bentley talks about the recent One Lap of America Event

Ross Bentley returns to the podcast to review the 2021 One Lap of America event that finished last week. This was Ross’s first One Lap and he seemed to have a blast. I think the hook has been set and Ross’s inherent competitiveness will likely lead to him trying to win it in the future. We go into the event as a whole, its history, how the 2021 event went, and every detail we could think of to scout for Bill’s eventual entry in a coming year. It sounded like a great time and should probably be on almost every high performance driver’s bucket list. Now which car should we enter, hmmmm.

On this episode’s Dominating with Dawson,

Ben clarifies what people mean when they say the term “pedal fest”. Bill first heard this related to drag racing. Vicki had heard it but not a clue as to what it meant. We also go into what the goal should be on track, the usual causes of the “fest” and ways to think about re-applying the throttle to minimize the issue. Ben also demonstrates the sound that your car may have if this happens to you, lol.

You can subscribe to our podcast on the podcast provider of your choice, including the Apple podcast app, Google music, Amazon, and YouTube etc.

Also, if you could give our podcast a (5-star?) rating or even better, a podcast review, we would greatly appreciate it and it would help us to grow the passion and sport of high performance driving.

For instance, leaving an Apple Podcast rating is very easy. If you go to your podcast library, under shows and click on the podcast you can leave a (5?) star rating and enter your review.

A link to the episode is: https://tinyurl.com/RossBentleysOneLap

We hope you enjoy this episode!

Best regards,

Vicki, Jennifer, Alan, and Bill

Hosts of the Garage Heroes In Training Podcast and Garage Heroes In Training racing team drivers

Highlights from One Lap of America covered in this episode include:

1) We start with a display of a bit of podcast time travel involving Ross’s appearances on our podcast.

2) Ross summarizes how the original “Cannonball Run” event transformed into the current
One Lap of America” event and how it is structured.

3) The event consisted of a scheduled ~20 events at various tack facilities across the country that change from year to year. This year the total travel distance was almost 4,000 miles in the week, not counting any of driving within the events.

4) Tracks consisted of: Tire Racks’ Skid Pad, Grissom AFB for an autocross, Memphis International Raceway, Eagles Canyon, NOLA, Atlanta Motorsport Park, the Lanier Oval, Summit Point, and Gingerman.

5) What to pack, what to bring, how to prep, car and tire selection, etc. Yep, it’s in there.

6) Great stories abound about the cars, the drivers, the track events, the transits, and even some good hearted sponsor induced bounties for the event.

7) We hope to have a few other teams on the podcast as well to discuss the event in coming episodes.

GHIT 0198: Ross Bentley on his recent One Lap of America Event

The Nittany Lemons

Formula SAE Team and Endurance Racing Team

Lemons Paddock — The Penn State Formula SAE team comes to Lemons

Lemons Car — The Penn State Formula SAE team comes to Lemons

GHIT 0197: The Nittany Lemons Formula SAE Team

We met the Nittany Lemons at our recent 24 Hours of Lemons race at PittRace. Their team includes Eric Junker, who gets blamed for any electronics and powertrain issues, Jared Sable, who is the past SAE team captain and responsible for the team overall, and Becca Baker who takes care of the driver controls, brakes and safety systems, and car ergonomics. They were a great group and seemed to have a great time and fully embrace the Lemons racing paddock. Even with all their SAE team background, they learned a ton at the race.

On this episode of Dominating with Dawson,

we talk about Tire Talk. What does it mean when your tires start making noise on the track and how to use this new information source to improve your track driving.

Formula SAE Car — **Their Formula SAE race Car**

You can subscribe to our podcast on the podcast provider of your choice, including the Apple podcast app, Google music, Amazon, and YouTube etc.

Also, if you could give our podcast a (5-star?) rating or even better, a podcast review, we would greatly appreciate it and it would help us to grow the passion and sport of high performance driving.

For instance, leaving an Apple Podcast rating is very easy. If you go to your podcast library, under shows and click on the podcast you can leave a (5?) star rating and enter your review.

A link to the episode is: https://tinyurl.com/NittanyLemons

We hope you enjoy this episode!

ghitlikesapex!

Best regards,

Vicki, Jennifer, Alan, and Bill

Hosts of the Garage Heroes In Training Podcast and Garage Heroes In Training racing team drivers

Its not always serious in Formula SAE — Becca Examining the Ergonomics

GHIT 0197: The Nittany Lemons Formula SAE Team

Our First HPDE at Mid Ohio 2021

with NASA Great Lakes of 2021

GHIT Podcast #196: Our First HPDE at Mid Ohio 2021 with NASA Great Lakes – Vicki and Bill

Jennifer takes the lead for this episode as we discuss the recent HPDE at Mid Ohio with the NASA Great Lakes group that Bill and Vicki attended as an early Father’s Day gift. The weekend was a bit chilly and started off with two dry stints Saturday and ended with two very wet stints. Sunday was the reverse. We go into the event as a whole and also go into what transpires at Mid O when it gets wet. Mid Ohio is widely known as one of the lowest traction tracks in the US when it gets wet and it did not disappoint Vicki as her first time driving at Mid Ohio 2021. If all goes well, Jennifer will be joining Vicki and Bill at Mid Ohio in about a month.

On this episode’s Dominating with Dawson, we

go over passing and start with defining what dive bombing is and then get into a discussion of the preferred passing approaches, especially during HPDE’s and eventually in wheel to wheel racing. This includes a discussion of the point at which a pass is complete. We also talk about the approach when trying to pass in a lower horsepower/momentum car.

You can subscribe to our podcast on the podcast provider of your choice, including the Apple podcast app, Google music, Amazon, and YouTube etc.

Also, if you could give our podcast a (5-star?) rating or even better, a podcast review, we would greatly appreciate it and it would help us to grow the passion and sport of high performance driving.

For instance, leaving an Apple Podcast rating is very easy. If you go to your podcast library, under shows and click on the podcast you can leave a (5?) star rating and enter your review.

A link to the episode is:

https://tinyurl.com/VickiandBillatMidO

We hope you enjoy this episode!

Best regards,

Vicki, Jennifer, Alan, and Bill

Hosts of the Garage Heroes In Training Podcast and Garage Heroes In Training racing team drivers

Highlights from this episode on Mid Ohio 2021 HPDE event include:

1) Last minute car changes end in Vicki and Bill sharing the Toyota 86 for this weekend’s event at Mid O.

2) This was Vicki’s first time at Mid Ohio and her first time driving the Toyota 86 on track. Bill prepared her for driving MidO in the rain, but it is really a hard thing to comprehend how different the traction level is from a dry track to the wet track, especially at MidO. How did Vicki do? What did she think of the track? What did she think of MidO when it’s wet? Where does it rank in her personal track top 5 or 10?

3) How did Vicki do? What did she think of the track? What did she think of MidO when it’s wet? Where does it rank in her personal top 5 or 10 tracks? Same for Bill.

4) Our earlier skid pad events helped when going around Mid Ohio, especially in the rain.

5) Vicki goes through her first weekend with NASA Great Lakes in HPDE 2. Bill was in the HPDE 3 run group for this weekend. There are several differences between the groups and we try to summarize the differences and how HPDE 1 builds into HPDE 2 and then into HPDE 3.

6) Bill and Vicki try to describe some of the drills that are run at the events. The drills really are great learning tools and tons of fun. Some of the drills were changed due to the lower grip of the rain stints. NASA Great Lakes remains our favorite HPDE group to really learn how to be a better driver and racer, increasing not only your speed but also your safety on track.

7) The three biggest differences that are key to how NASA Great Lakes HPDE program works so well include the in class sessions, the track drills, and the way that the post stint debriefs are held and used to help the drivers to learn more quickly.

8) Bill makes several attempts to get Jennifer to go to the next event at Mid Ohio. While each was weak, they added up to the desired end result, lol.

9) Vicki is tired from the trip and switches the terms “Spoiler” and “Splitter”. She really needs to get more sleep before podcasting, lol. Luckily Bill caught it, but ended up doing it poorly and started the process of ending up sleeping in the tub again. lol.

10) We have noticed that the more Vicki learns about working on the cars, the more she worries that something is wrong with the car and comes in to check. Now we need to work on finding the balance. Still “In Training”, lol.

11) Our telemetry for this event consisted on the Apex Pro and the Garmin Catalyst. Vicki is relaxing in the car and starting to really understand and use the devices to help her. This was also her first time using the Garmin Catalyst on track. We are starting to develop a process to use both, both on during and after a stint. Vicki especially likes the Garmin since it doesn’t sound like Bill when she is driving.

12) A listener requested a discussion of Mid Ohio in the rain. We tried our best to summarize but it really is something that needs to be experienced. Bill also goes into how he approaches a wet track and how he approaches exploring the track to look for higher traction areas of the track.

13) Bill makes another feeble attempt to get Joey to come on the podcast. Someday he will weaken and say yes.

14) How does it feel to have a personal best during the weekend? Great. Except when it is a 1:50.01. Luckily Bill had one more stint to go out at the end of Sunday and break that personal best as well.

15) We go into the customary Good, Bad, and the Ugly, as well as what we learned during the weekend.

16) Vick says that Bill is right. Time to play the lottery. We might actually be on our way to the deserted island race track.

GHIT 0196: Our First HPDE at Mid Ohio with NASA Great Lakes

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