Split-second Decision or Pure Luck - Why Racing Is Never Predictable

On television, auto racing sometimes seems straightforward – be in control of your machine and you can just finish the lap. Push a bit more and you can eke out a few tenths of a second and attain faster lap times. But smooth as it may seem, I realized, ever since I got my first laps in an open-wheel single-seater at Laguna Seca nearMonterey, California, that it’s never predictable on the racetrack.

My First Experience of a Racing Car

I remember my first acquaintance with a real racing machine. Getting in the cockpit took some time getting used to. Along with three other first-timers, I was asked to take to the track, following the pace car.  

The 125bhp power on a chassis weighing just around 470kg took some getting used to, but that went on well. We were just following the pace car and getting to learn the track, though nothing could prepare you for the Corkscrew corner – it’s a roller coaster every time you pass that. A few laps following the instructors’ car and we were back in the garages. I thought to myself -- well, that wasn’t too bad. A wave of confidence swept through me as I pulled myself out of the cockpit and took my helmet off. A theory session followed where the lines we needed to take through the track were explained, with special mention of the Corkscrew. 

All on My Own

And then, it was time to head to the track by ourselves! We had to do individual laps before all four of us would go out together. I remembered all the instructions, put on my helmet and gloves, and got into the cockpit, imagining I was a Formula 1 or IndyCar driver. When the engine came to life, I gingerly released the clutch, and was instantly driving through the pit-lane with the wind on my helmet. Phew! My dream finally came true. 

As I entered the track I floored the accelerator and the roar of the engine behind just drowned everything else. I slowed down significantly for the first corner, more than I probably needed to. The slamming of the breaks just vaulted my head forward. I was cautious through the Corkscrew as well, but after 2 laps I was in the groove. As I got back to the pits, I could feel my forearms aching. In a race car, the steering seems to want to get out of your hands, so you need to exert all your strength to hold it despite the vibrations. 

The Joint Session – Face-to-Face With Danger 

After the rest had completed their laps, we had to go out together. The lap times weren’t officially discussed, since they were just getting the hang of it but we did realize that I was second fastest. A few tips again from the trainers, and we were off.  

I was third in the cue and we drove through the track in that order, gradually raising the speed. The roar of the engines filled the track as we reached our penultimate lap.  Heading through the main straight, I could see the guy ahead of me wobbling. I figured he perhaps just lost momentary control. But the wobbling increased, and as we approached the corner, his right rear tire just blew up! I was just a few meters behind him, rushing towards the corner. With the tire having exploded, the carcass was flying towards my helmet. In a split-second I turned my car to the left, and missed the carcass by inches! 

I really don’t know whether I had the capability to think so fast or if it was pure luck that I avoided the tire hurtling towards me. That first experience of a racecar was totally unexpected but it prepared me to face just about anything. I realized early on that nothing is predictable on a racetrack.   

Kyle Simak is one of the foremost, upcoming racing drivers participating in various open-wheel as well as closed cockpit cars. He still loves karting and races in go-kart championships now and then.