Even the most experienced competitor can improve their technique and reach new levels of performance by studying the experts. In this series we'll be showing you how, through intense examination of the real exponents of the art and science of speed hillclimbs and sprints using both words and pictures. These are the important lessons from the masters that other sites will not reveal, brought to you exclusively by the Cutler KMidget Web Site and a Bit More. Enjoy!
Lesson (1) - Mental Preparation
Subject: Terry Pigott
We are all aware that only extreme physical and mental fitness suffices for the serious competitor. It's clear to all those that know Terry that the twice-daily 100 miles runs and intensive post-pub gym sessions are merely half of his concentrated personal programme. What separates Terry from the ordinary competitor is mental preparation. In the picture below, you can see Terry absorbed in his rigorous and demanding mental fitness exercise that stretches every synapse to near-breaking point. Only after every brain-cell and nerve has been put through a punishing preparation routine is Terry ready for that cup of warm cocoa prior to taking his awesome V8 on another record-stealing run (Gurston, 6/2000):
(Photo courtesy of Saga Magasine)
Lesson (1a) - Mental Preparation - the Payback
Subject: Helen Victoria Waddington and John Wilman
It comes as no surprise to your editor to hear that many of the MGCC stalwarts follow this rather modest master-class with diligence approaching fanaticism, in pursuit of hill-climb glory. In the case of HVW, I've heard claim that this master-class was almost entirely responsible for her being Group 1 Class Champion (N) 2003. Although this will be obvious to all fellow competitors, marshals, and event organisers, the doubters just need to check the following evidence:
HVW stoking up for another class-leading run (Photo courtesy DC)
Lesson (2) - Late-Apex Cornering
Subject: (An unassuming class winning competitor who preferred to be anonymous)
We all know that late-apexing is the secret to carrying speed into a corner, and allows early re-entry on the throttle to maximise exit speed. But what does this mean in practice? In the photograph of our expert at Silverstone, we can study and only marvel at the technique employed here. Our expert is demonstrating true late-apexing around Vale, a notoriously difficult corner in all three stages - approach, apex and exit. The approach stage has been near-perfection, and our expert is on-line to late-apex just just after the yellow cone, achieving the optimum line for the next bend. The sprinter's art is captured superbly by a talented lenswoman, competitor and competition car lender (Silverstone, 6/2001):
(Photo courtesy of HelenVW)
Lesson (3a) - Consistency
Subject: David Coulthard
As a novice back in '99, I relied heavily and unashamedly on the advice of our DC when encountering a new venue or change of conditions. I will share these pearls of advice with you - with the theme of consistency. On each occasion, I enquired of DC how a particular venue should be approached - the following demonstrates consistency as practised by a motorsport near-zealot:
You can imagine that I was beginning to detect an emerging trend to this advice - Motorsport is all about CONSISTENCY.
'... as quickly as you can...'
Lesson (3b) - Consistency
Subject: David Coulthard
… and at Spa, June 2003:
'… and I said to Schumy: take Eau Rouge as quickly as you can…'
Lesson (4) - Eyesight is key for the leading competitors
Subject: You the competitor
Good eyesight is a leading factor in early location of those braking and turn-in points. The top drivers have immaculate vision, being able to perceive with astonishing clarity the track ahead, buying them extra time for important decisions as they speed along. Check your eyesight with the following picture. Those with 20:20 vision will see a red Maestro attacking Prescott Hill with gusto; the rest of you will see a set of blurred and indistinct objects unrelated to motorsport. If you are in the latter group, you need to slow down and ask marshals and pedestrians for directions at all times.
Check your vision: red Maestro or just a non-motorsport related blur?
Lesson (5) - Pushing the Limits
Subject: DC (again, Sep 2003)
A further separation from the ordinary competitor is the ability of the leading exponents to constantly push back the limits to achieve ever-faster lap times. Now you've mastered lesson (3), you might want to move to the next step - pushing the limit further. The pic below shows how comprehensively our DC has assimilated this lesson. Driving up to the limit, but never beyond, is now second nature to DC, as witnessed by the still-immaculate coachwork on this much-loved and raced MG ZR. Check your local MG-Rover forecourt now for an opportunity to purchase this ZR sprinkled in patina by one of our top-performers.
DC: pushing the limit but never beyond (photo: courtesy DC)
Lesson (6) - Managing the Scrutineering Process
Subject: DC (again! May 2004)
Finessing your pride and joy past the scrutineer is the hallmark of a seasoned campaigner - scrutineers are always swayed by a flash paint-job and some racy-looking fibreglass add-ons (don't worry, they never visit this site!). Here we see DC, poised next to his immaculate RWA Midget in full race guise polished within a micron of its primer for an impending visit from the scrutineer, with charm turned up to 10/10: ('…of course, with your vast knowledge and unmatched experience you'll remember that heater and anti-roll bar were still options for the round-arch model until the middle of Sep '74; …have you lost weight? …that nylon jacket really suits you; …are you really sponsored by Ferrari? …of course I always give you a mensch when I bump into Berni; etc.').
DC: charm overcomes apparent condition with the scrutineer every time (photo: courtesy a gentleman from Bath)
Lesson (7) - Obey the Marshals
Subject: JT (May 2003)
Without marshals, there would be no motorsport. As both competitors and spectators, we reply on them for our safety and their diligent and timely application of motorsport rules. Here we see a contrite JT having been put in the sin-bin by a particularly astute and fast acting example of the genre. The misdemeanour? Letting his windscreen collapse onto the bonnet just before a run. JT quickly shifts over to the passenger seat, but our marshal will not be fooled. Take the punishment JT, and be more liberal with the jungle tape on the old TF ahead of your next event.
JT: '…maybe she'll think someone else is the driver?' No! She's got your number , JT (22…)
Lesson (8) - Keep the sponsor happy
Subject: DC (Brands, Sep 2004)
Many of you won't have reached the highest echelons of motorsport just yet … but stick with the master-class and you'll get there - just like DC. He's learned the importance of sponsorship for both of his disciplines - speed and race - so that he's more than competitive at every event using someone else's car. But how to keep the backing of the sponsor for season after season? That's the measure of the depth of the professional. In the pic below you can see one of many tactics DC uses to keep his sponsor in the limelight, providing the payback for all the ££Ms they have invested. Stunning.
DC on his mobile '… since you're the sponsor I'll park in it, but I'm bloody well not going to get out and p*ss in it…'