Miata Mailing List: January 1994, Message #19
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   From: "Matthew J. Bennett        (301)394-2530" 
Subject: Re: Questions (Info on a book on driving)
   Date: Tue, 4 Jan 1994 08:05:32 -0500

A good book on the many intracacies of sports car driving is:
                                             `                                                                      
Sports Car and Competition Driving By Paul Frere.                                                                   
                                                                                                                    
copyright 1992, ISBN 0-8376-0202-5                                                                                  
                                                                                                                    
Chapters:                                                                                                           
1. Basics                                                                                                           
2. Racing on Road and Track                                                                                         
3. Cornering                                                                                                        
4. From Slipping to Sliding                                                                                         
5. From Theory to Practice                                                                                          
6. Practicing, Qualifying, Racing                                                                                   
7. The Race                                                                                                         
8. Speed and Safety                                                                                                 
9. Becoming a Racing Driver                                                                                         
10. Do's and Don'ts                                                                                                 
11. Appendices                                                                                                      
   *  The Effects of Banking Angle and Tire Load on Maximum Cornering Speed                                         
                                                                                                                    
   *  The Effect of Down Force on Maximum Cornering Speed                                                           
                                                                                                                    
   *  The Effect of All-wheel drive on Handling                                                                     
                                                                                                                    
First published in 1963, updated in 1992.  Easy to understand descriptions                                          
and some real physics to describe traction/banking/drifting/proper line through                                     
a bend, etc.  Good reading, lotsa cool pictures of old (60's vintage) race-cars                                     
and also modern rallye's and Formula 1 cars.  After reading this book, I                                            
finally understood heel-and-toeing, how to do it and why.  Some of the
ideas presented may be outdated, but I think it gives a good basis for                                              
understanding HOW to drive fast, while you stay in better control of your car.
                                                                                                                    
Published by:                                                                                                       
Robert Bentley, Publishers                                                                                          
1000 Massachusetts Ave.                                                                                             
Cambridge, MA 02138                                                                                                 
617-547-4170                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                    
Note:  I am not affiliated with Paul Frere or Bentley, I am just impressed                                          
by this book.                                                                                                       

Matt Bennett
hazmat@motor.arl.army.mil