October 2020

You never have a second chance to make a first impression – The Castiron’s first rendez-vous with the Salzburgring was during a holiday; just for sightseeing, everything beautiful and fine. The racetrack located out in the green, close to the town of Salzburg – this first impression was the beginning of a quite close relationship for years. At this time, The Castiron did not yet know of the „Salzburger Schnürlregen“ (the region is famous for its so-called „string rain“).

These were The Castiron’s few informations before he visited this racetrack again, some time later; he was in charge as an instructor, so now on the track! It is interesting, rather fast, demands both sensitivity and courage, and is because of that quite selective – these were The Castiron’s first impressions after some laps.

Many driver trainings followed this first event, from close to perfect to quite strenuous with unwanted incidents and sometimes weather for ducks; more than once, after getting up in the morning, it was not possible to see from the room the very close forest, because of rain or even fog – even in summer! And the experience said: it will be the same the whole day; going back to bed was no option – one fact remained: it will be a long and hard day for the instructor.  

Please have a look at the video, too. It is not the first impression, it is just one impression – the quite fast racetrack and the famous „Salzburger Schnürlregen“; enjoy yourself. And: there have been a lot of events with best weather, too!

Part II will bring you closer to the Salzburgring.

See you next Friday.   -   God bless you, all the best!   The Castiron

Recommendation:       http://thecastiron.ch/en/instructor.html

Or, she overdid it; motorsport is an ideal field for this subject. It is for everybody, from trackday participants to real professionals, to World Champions. Mostly it ends leniently, often without any damage, sometimes just with material damages – end of the reflection list for this time. Either way, the driver is one experience richer.

A few words to today’s video, Nordschleife, finally „Breidscheid“, downhill: it is one of countless examples, quite representative for the action on the racetrack. Getting along quite quickly, other cars caught up, longer search for overtaking and the opportunity for passing – perhaps forced a little bit too much?

It was a little bit too much? Braking point a little bit too late, a little bit too much speed – some little bits in total too much. Or, in other words, trying to make the curve as usual, under unusual circumstances, without happy end. As usual plus unusual circumstances: it seldom fits.

The Castiron feels with everyone in this field. What would have been helpful in this case to avoid the contact with the wall? Directly after passing the other car braking diagonally in a straight line towards the wall, directly along the apex; in a longer straight line more speed can be reduced (maximum deceleration). Then, just in time before the wall, turn into the second part of this double left-hand bend over the bridge. It might have been worth a try.

For those who want to know more: blogpost 23 subject is a book recommendation. A book offers the occasion to read and reflect at leisure, without risking any damage – and probably to be better prepared for unpredicted situations. Often it begins in the mind, it is a matter of the head – first of all, and from there it is about the practical implementation.  

See you next Friday.   -   God bless you, all the best!   The Castiron

Recommendation:       http://thecastiron.ch/en/racingdriver.html

PS   As an encore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=445YsTL9fOs