フルウェットの富士で耐久レース、澤圭太がv.Grantzの走りと戦術ぜんぶ見せます
ワンスマ
877 views
The "MEC 120" was held at Fuji Speedway in winter.
This article reviews the in-car footage from Keita Sawa's qualifying and final races in a v.Grantz car, providing a detailed explanation of driving on wet surfaces, communication with other cars, overtaking in a mixed race, and endurance race strategy. We'll unravel what the driver sees, how they predict, and how they make decisions in the ever-changing conditions, following the actual driving scenes.
Qualifying began with a 15-minute attack run under low temperatures and a slippery track. While the track gradually improved, there was a possibility of red flag interruptions during the rainy session. The key was to set a good time early on and then conserve tires for the final attack. The challenge was balancing certainty with the potential for faster lap times within the limited time. Sawa carefully considered the rainy lines at each corner, braking points, distance from the curbs, and downshift behavior, building his strategy for the final lap.
The final race saw even more rain than qualifying, resulting in a safety car start. The team opts for a strategy of performing a driver change during the early safety car period, completing one of their mandatory pit stops early. This aims to minimize time loss compared to pitting during a normal race, even if it means being at the back of the pack. However, they must then overtake numerous VITAs ahead and catch up to the group of v.Grantz cars. Furthermore, since refueling is not permitted during safety car periods, they must constantly consider their remaining fuel and the timing of their next pit stop.
A crucial aspect of the comeback is making safe and efficient decisions when overtaking vehicles with speed differences. They must consider the line the car in front is heading, and whether that car is also attempting to overtake another car. They must choose their path not just by looking at the single car in front, but by considering the relative positions of multiple cars and the corners ahead. In a rainy race where visibility is poor due to spray, it's also important to position yourself so that your reflection is visible in the opponent's mirrors to let them know of your presence.
Just because you cut the nose to the inside doesn't guarantee the opponent will leave space for you. Assess the possibility that the other car may not have noticed you, or that they haven't lined up sufficiently. If it's dangerous, ease off the accelerator and start over. When side-by-side, consider not only the width of one car, but also the room for the other car to slip or lose control. We'll also specifically address how to anticipate dangers unique to rainy conditions, such as a car going off-course and a sudden spin due to shifting gears.
When approaching a top car in the same class, simply having a speed difference isn't enough to overtake. Read the other car's line and exit, and take a position that will give you an advantage in the next corner. Use cross lines and switchbacks, taking into account the positioning of other cars on the track, to create opportunities. Don't try to force a win in one go; the tactical maneuvering of changing strategies while observing the other car's reaction is also a highlight.
We'll also explain restarts from the safety car and passing through double yellow zones using actual scenarios. How do you understand the control line, the safety car line at the pit entrance, and the sections where flags apply? And, in addition to the rule-based positioning, we'll review why it's necessary to consider the safety of stopped cars and the surrounding area, and why it's sometimes necessary to temporarily withdraw from the battle for position.
In the final stages, drivers must manage the increasing rainfall and worn tires while assessing fuel levels and the possibility of a safety car deployment, structuring their run until the driver changeover. They must maintain focus until just before pitting, while pushing the pace to reduce the burden on the next driver. This is a practical explanation of rainy endurance races, where not only speed, but also prediction, judgment, understanding of the rules, and actions that consider the entire team are what lead to success.
フルウェットの富士で耐久レース、澤圭太がv.Grantzの走りと戦術ぜんぶ見せます
ワンスマ
877 views
The "MEC 120" was held at Fuji Speedway in winter.
This article reviews the in-car footage from Keita Sawa's qualifying and final races in a v.Grantz car, providing a detailed explanation of driving on wet surfaces, communication with other cars, overtaking in a mixed race, and endurance race strategy. We'll unravel what the driver sees, how they predict, and how they make decisions in the ever-changing conditions, following the actual driving scenes.
Qualifying began with a 15-minute attack run under low temperatures and a slippery track. While the track gradually improved, there was a possibility of red flag interruptions during the rainy session. The key was to set a good time early on and then conserve tires for the final attack. The challenge was balancing certainty with the potential for faster lap times within the limited time. Sawa carefully considered the rainy lines at each corner, braking points, distance from the curbs, and downshift behavior, building his strategy for the final lap.
The final race saw even more rain than qualifying, resulting in a safety car start. The team opts for a strategy of performing a driver change during the early safety car period, completing one of their mandatory pit stops early. This aims to minimize time loss compared to pitting during a normal race, even if it means being at the back of the pack. However, they must then overtake numerous VITAs ahead and catch up to the group of v.Grantz cars. Furthermore, since refueling is not permitted during safety car periods, they must constantly consider their remaining fuel and the timing of their next pit stop.
A crucial aspect of the comeback is making safe and efficient decisions when overtaking vehicles with speed differences. They must consider the line the car in front is heading, and whether that car is also attempting to overtake another car. They must choose their path not just by looking at the single car in front, but by considering the relative positions of multiple cars and the corners ahead. In a rainy race where visibility is poor due to spray, it's also important to position yourself so that your reflection is visible in the opponent's mirrors to let them know of your presence.
Just because you cut the nose to the inside doesn't guarantee the opponent will leave space for you. Assess the possibility that the other car may not have noticed you, or that they haven't lined up sufficiently. If it's dangerous, ease off the accelerator and start over. When side-by-side, consider not only the width of one car, but also the room for the other car to slip or lose control. We'll also specifically address how to anticipate dangers unique to rainy conditions, such as a car going off-course and a sudden spin due to shifting gears.
When approaching a top car in the same class, simply having a speed difference isn't enough to overtake. Read the other car's line and exit, and take a position that will give you an advantage in the next corner. Use cross lines and switchbacks, taking into account the positioning of other cars on the track, to create opportunities. Don't try to force a win in one go; the tactical maneuvering of changing strategies while observing the other car's reaction is also a highlight.
We'll also explain restarts from the safety car and passing through double yellow zones using actual scenarios. How do you understand the control line, the safety car line at the pit entrance, and the sections where flags apply? And, in addition to the rule-based positioning, we'll review why it's necessary to consider the safety of stopped cars and the surrounding area, and why it's sometimes necessary to temporarily withdraw from the battle for position.
In the final stages, drivers must manage the increasing rainfall and worn tires while assessing fuel levels and the possibility of a safety car deployment, structuring their run until the driver changeover. They must maintain focus until just before pitting, while pushing the pace to reduce the burden on the next driver. This is a practical explanation of rainy endurance races, where not only speed, but also prediction, judgment, understanding of the rules, and actions that consider the entire team are what lead to success.