Garage Heroes (In Training)

Learning as we go. Come along with us and Enjoy the Ride!

GLTC

Team Kelly Racing:

Tiffany Kelly and Justin Kelly

GHIT 0213: Tiffany Kelly and Justin Kelly from Team Kelly Racing – Part 1 of our 4 part Grid Life/GLTC Series

Tiffany Kelly and Justin Kelly are both top drivers in the GLTC series and have competed as Team Kelly Racing.  In addition, they have a racing school to teach other drivers and also race shifter karts to further hone their skills.  During this episode, we go over their racing history, including what is GLTC for our listeners who may not be familiar.  The Kelly’s also have a fantastic YouTube channel where they go over many aspects of their racing lives and help show you how they do what they do.  They were even nice enough to stay on and go through our Fast and Furious Storytime questions.  We wish them both good luck in this weekend’s GLTC race at Pikes Peak.  

We have been following the Grid Life series, especially their GLTC series for the last few years and since our schedules don’t align this year, we thought we would interview several of the drivers, teams, and hosts for the next few episodes.

Team Kelly Racing on Grid

In this issue of Dominating with Dawson,

we start with what may be Bill’s dumbest intro ever and then work our way onto the topic of how to exploit chaos on the track to help you improve on the performance of the car and team.  Ben even has a bunch of examples of what he is referring to and how he routinely uses these areas to gain an advantage or pass a few of his fellow competitors.

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/TeamKellyRacingOnGHIT 

We hope you enjoy this episode!

Best regards,

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.  They are a great system and truly invaluable in safely increasing your speed on track and/or autocross etc.  The recently released second generation systems and app increases the capability of the system greatly.

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 include:

1)  How and why did they each choose the cars they are racing.

2)  The reasons behind them not doing a K-swap but doing a J-swap to both their cars last winter.

3)  How they both seem to be at an entirely different level with their knowledge of engine/mechanical part swaps and assembly options.

4)  We all try to talk Vicki off the ledge and finally cut the hood of her Miata to add vents to let out some of the heat.

5)  What is it like racing with your significant other, advantages and disadvantages, along with a few tips that they have learned along the way.

6)  Some of the hurdles that come with starting to get fast when racing on a track, how did to deal with them and gain the confidence to push through that limit.

7)  The story of paddock famous Uni the Unicorn.

To keep up with Team Kelly Racing please

Subscribe to their YouTube channel at:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXf_WtojaK6gYmZGb1EXETw 

Or follow them on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/tiffanykellyracing/ 

Also, Tiffany will be appearing on the Discovery Channel on their new show The Getaway Driver

GHIT 0213: Tiffany Kelly and Justin Kelly from Team Kelly Racing

Team Kelly Racing

GHIT 0159: Andrew Rains About Racing and the Apex Pro

Apex Pro Logo

Andrew Rains joins us for this episode to talk through his racing history and then we went deeply into the Apex Pro telemetry system.  We have used our two Apex Pro’s many times this season and everyone has liked the simple interface while on track and the data analysis capability off track is simple and fast, yet powerful.  We have only scratched the surface to this point, but we wanted to make sure everyone we know was aware of the Apex Pro system and we all learned a great deal more about the system with Andrew.  After this episode, we can understand why he is a sought after coach at the track.

Andrew Rains
Andrew at the track coaching

Meanwhile, on our Dominating with Dawson segment, we thought it was time to discuss the concept of scrubbing speed, what it means and how to avoid it, as well as how it can be used to assist you on track to lower your lap times.

As always, if you have any questions that you would like us to cover with Ben, please let us know in a (5 star?) podcast review or via email at [email protected] or in a comment on our social media.

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

Information about the Apex Pro can be found at:  https://apextrackcoach.com/

Andrew and the team can be contacted at:  [email protected] or at [email protected]

Also, Andrew is competing well at the recent Grid Life GLTC NOLA event even though his #719 BMW is on treaded tires vs everyone else on racing slicks here: 

Race 3:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7olV427w28

Race 4:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PufQoz_a7hA

Highlights from this episode include:

1)  We learn about Andrew’s extensive racing experience, as well as his current E36 M3 WRL and Grid Life GLTC BMW car, past, present, and future.

2)  Vicki thinks she is on mute.  Then she knows she is on mute.  Then it sinks in.  The life of a mom.  Lol.

3)  Andrew really has a great racing philosophy and a way of thinking about being at the track.

4)  We discuss several potential issues that people cite that prevents them from starting and a variety of ways to overcome them, including contacting Andrew or us at any point.  Every driver we know would love to have more people to share the track with.  It is much more fun for everyone.

5)  The discussion on the Apex Pro at 19:50 with one of Bill’s longest intros ever that Vicki jumped in and made even longer, lol.

6)  Andrew provided a great overview of the Apex Pro device and its operation at 23:20

7)  We begin to explain the detail of the actual operation and interpretation of the lights when on track and how the patented Apex Pro algorithms work in the background.  The best news for most of us is that it works even if you can’t even spell algorithm.

8)  Vicki and Jennifer relate how the Apex Pro has helped them on track at their current level of driving.  Those simple little LED lights can provide so much feedback on track and so quickly, it really is amazing.  Especially when a driver may be early on in their learning and can often be overwhelmed with the number and speed of sensory inputs when driving at speed.

9)  We then go into the setup (that is super easy and quick) and beginning use of the data within the app that is collected automatically.

10)  Andrew even answers some of our “how do we” questions with useful tips and tricks, several that we had thought of to this point.

11)  Questions answered include:  Options for multiple drivers and endurance races, approximately how long will the battery last, how to save battery during the day if not powered within the car, how to add tracks, especially for autocross use, can I use the Apex Pro without a phone, how the auto-start and auto-stop features work and interact with the phone screen being on, what does the apex score mean and how to interpret it, some of the potential values and options to utilize the power of the notes section.

12)  How the Apex Pro light display works, what the light colors mean, and how to interpret the lights and probably most importantly, how you can use them to make driving changes on track during the stint.

13)  Andrew also goes into the other data you can get in your car if your phone is visible.  Then we go into the full data capabilities that are available post session using the Apex Pro app.

14)  Our resident engineer has his usual requests for future features.  He just can’t help it.  Please bear with him, we try, every single day.  But it appears that Bill may finally have had a good question.

15)  Andrew then moved into the beginning level of looking at data, almost a 101 review.  Once you have used the unit, or any telemetry unit that offers data, this discussion would form a very good foundation for looking at your data the first time and how to correlate the data to your track feel/impression.  Intro at ~51:20

16)  Simple 101 process outline:  1)  Think about where you did not feel comfortable or where you think you may have left the most opportunity to improve,  2)  Look at those areas on the track map overview screen,   3)  Speed vs distance plot and check if the top of the speed trace is rounded (coast or slow transition) or is it sharp and you moved from full throttle to brake quickly,  4)  Look at your minimum speed in corners and if a fast corner you would like a u-shape and in slow corners, you would like a V-shape (fast is above ~60 mph or 100 kph)

17)  Options for exporting the data to larger visual areas, like an iPad or a computer as well as additional options, like Track Attack, to compare with other drivers who may use other data collection systems.

18)  Bill resumes his friction circle soap box discussion.  Andrew graciously tolerates it.  Is there any foundation to Bill’s theory?  Still tbd.

19)  We even had a chance to go into the Apex Pro Crew View feature and how it can be used.  Bill is getting more and more excited.  And then we started to discuss the ability to add in OBDII data.

20)  Options for integrating into other data systems and video options including Race Render. ~1:13:45

21)  Our team has been working on a comprehensive survey of all the data systems, but we have only completed the systems we have personally tested to this point.  If interested in the results or helping us try some of the missing systems, please let us know.

22)  How best to analyze multiple drivers and/or multiple laps within the Apex Pro system as well as external software systems.

23)  We end our discussion of Apex Pro discussion is at ~1:29 and begin our F&F Storytime questions

GHIT 0159: Andrew Rains About Racing and the Apex Pro

GHIT 0154: GridLife with Adam Jabaay

  • Adam Jabaay at GridLife
  • GridLife Takes Chicago
  • GridLife
  • GridLife at Night

Adam Jabaay is a co-founder of the GridLife series and was kind enough to come onto our program to talk about GridLife and his driving and racing history.  We were told by several people at the track that we needed to attend a GridLife event and after doing some homework and talking with Adam, we agree.  The series is a mix of high level racing, HPDE, drifting, and a huge social aspect in the paddock.  We may need to take a vacation after the event to recuperate, lol.  You can find more info on GridLife at the website:  https://www.grid.life/ and we are anxiously waiting for the 2021 schedule to finalize our plans.  Also, please follow Adam on his podcast that is nearing 400 episodes, we are way behind. 

We cover all the apexes on this episode of Dominating with Dawson.  If you were ever curious, we not only go into the different jargon/labels for apexes but what they mean and why they are where they are.  No mathematical geometry, nor proofs required.

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 include:

1)  Norm Abrams reference number one for our podcast, but that would be a WOOT episode.

2)  We recorded post the GridLife event at NOLA and Adam was still recovering, unpacking, and finding what he left at the track.  His phone battery did make it all the way through the episode though. 

3)  How the Slip Angle podcast is the platform for communicating to the GridLife paddock and future paddock.

4)  Adam also covers a lot of the history of GridLife and the eternal question:  What is GridLife and what happens on a GridLife weekend.  Remember the first rule: it stays at GridLife.  We are hoping to attend the Gingerman event if it is during the summer when school is out. 

5)  Sprint Races?  Check.  HPDE?  Check.  Time Attack?  Yep.  Drifting?  Check.  Concerts?  You bet.  Post-race weekend hangover included free of charge. 

6)  What is GLTC?  How it became what it is?  How to build a car for it?  It’s all in here.  Once class to rule them all.

7)  What is the Time Attack event?  What cars and levels/classes are available?   Where would your car fit?  A summary is here, but likely you should review the rule book for final classing determination.

8)  What is a festival event vs a normal weekend?

9)  How does drifting fit into the weekend?  What types of drifting events do they hold? 

10)  How GridLife can have several thousand spectators at these events.

11)  How the first ever tandem drifting competition went at NOLA?  How someone can drift through turn 12 at Road Atlanta or even through the esses?

12)  Can we hope to see an endurance type event at GridLife?  Asking for a friend.

13)  GridLife iRacing?  Yep.  Also, GridLife has been on Forza.  Adam and the team are even working on a festival type event, perhaps even for this off season.

14)  Tips and tricks for attending a GridLife event.  Stay at the track.  Come with a car already prepared.  Sleep the week before.

15)  You can’t have Adam Jabaay on a not discuss RV’s.  So, we did.  And his latest exploits going down to NOLA.  Trailer hub maintenance is a real thing. 

16)  The weirdest recommendation to buy Koni shocks ever.

GHIT 0154: GridLife with Adam Jabaay