In Racing, having the “speed” doesn’t always equal an easy win. “Speed” can be easily purchased these days, especially in the nitro classes, where every race motor is now 1 horsepower +.

With this “over the counter” horsepower, and cars like the NTC3 and GT (or even the T-Maxx, with it’s new power plant) new racers are finding it very easy to go way faster than their driving ability can handle.

So, if “speed” isn’t what it takes to win, then what is?

Well, honestly, speed is important. But, only after the chassis is able lay the power to the ground in a controllable way, and only after the driver has the ability to know when to use the throttle and when not to.

Too many newer drivers are using a “Yes I’m out of control, but did you see how fast I was?” driving style. They fly down the straight, push all the way to the boards, slam on the brakes, grab the throttle, shoot over a few dots, slap the steering full right, then full left, shoot over a few hoses, bounce off a few other cars, and call it a “fast lap”.

Not so, Homer! Do you even realize what happened during that lap?

Watch any of the “Fast Guys”, like Rod Parker or Jesse Stark, they do not use up any extra track. They do not cut the course. They do not slam pass, or slam into other cars. They rarely break their cars. They are in complete control, to the point that at times their cars look slow.

They have experience and race skill. They use the throttle appropriately, letting off before the turn. They avoid accidents. They know when to use full throttle, and when to use the brakes. They can tell you what happened during the race.

At the next race, take a look at one of Rod’s or Jesse’s heat sheets. Check out the individual lap times. What you will see, is consistency. The times usually will not vary more than a few tenths of a second.

Skilled racers know, that at times, “Slow, is fast”. It’s better to slow the pace, but keep a good average lap time, than to have one killer lap, followed by a big wreck or an out of the track lap.

Now, take a good hard look your heat sheet.

What does it all boil down to?

Respect.

Respect for your own equipment and abilities. And, most importantly, respect for you fellow competitors equipment.

So, it isn’t always about the “speed”… It’s about “Keeping it under control”. You can not win the race, if you’ve broken your car. You can not make and keep friends at the track, if you break other peoples cars.

Jake