Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag racing

[Early93Viper]

Which do you think takes the most skill Road racing, Autocrossing, or Drag racing?



I have done them all and would have to say Road racing with autocrossing in a close second. What do you think?

 

[LETHAL GTS]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

They all have their challenges, but I think roadracing.

 

[AviP]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

Absolutely correct. Drag racing requires a good start and upshifting, but only for about 12 seconds. Add steering input, downshifting and you have autocross. Add traffic and you have road racing. It's obvious.

 

[vipeuup]

Which do you think takes the most skill Road racing, Autocrossing, or Drag racing?



I have done them all and would have to say Road racing with autocrossing in a close second. What do you think?

Road racing then auto x.

 

[Topawam]

Driving on the highway at rush time...

 

[97 Viper GTS]

Road course racing without question.

 

[Catwood]

Depends on the level you're playing.

Ever driven a top fuel car?

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

Amount of focus time: Drag racing 8 to 15 seconds, Autocross 15 to 45 seconds, Road Racing 1:45 - 3:00 Per Lap. then count the laps, 5- 500 with traffic.

I'm thinking Road Racing. Though I've never Autocrossed.

 

[Casey]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

Road racing would have to require more skill.

But that doesn't mean driving a Viper 150mph, or closer to 180 like others, doesn't take a whole lot of skill.

AutoX takes some skill too. But I would put it 3rd.

In order of what takes more BALLS:

1 Drag racing
2 Road racing
3 AutoX

But you didn't ask that!

 

[BadVenm]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

Road racing would have to require more skill.

But that doesn't mean driving a Viper 150mph, or closer to 180 like others, doesn't take a whole lot of skill.

AutoX takes some skill too. But I would put it 3rd.

In order of what takes more BALLS:

1 Drag racing
2 Road racing
3 AutoX

But you didn't ask that!

Casey,

Great observation, but I would think the road racing takes more balls. Drag racing there is only one other car with you, you're both going straight, or you hope so....

Road racing you have speed, all the work inside the car going on, plus there are 10 to 20 cars all heading in the corner at the same time, looking for the same line, etc.... So my take is that takes more balls to road race your viper due to the possibility of smashing it up with others cars.

On the skill level, being I've raced all of the above, plus circle track, and a few others.... It is a hands down, slam dunk that road racing requires much more skill than Auto-x or drag racing.

Dan, I hope you get yours out on a road course!!! But double check that work Jerry did for you! He's known for cutting corners! LOL!

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

Alcohol and Pro Stock require more skill than Top Fuel. Top Fuel is literally hold your foot to the floor and go. Alcohol and Pro Stock require some modulation and shifting.

Similarly I think the slower road race classes require more skill than the paddle-shifting F1 guys. However the Gs in F1 could really beat a guy down.

Regardless, to get to the level of Top Fuel or F1 you gotta prove it first.

See how I got around answering the original question?

 

[Early93Viper]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

Dan, I hope you get yours out on a road course!!! But double check that work Jerry did for you! He's known for cutting corners! LOL!

I have had it out a couple times at HPT. I am probably going to MAM in a couple of weeks.

Jerry took apart my engine with a blow torch.............he said that that's how everyone does it??????????? Oh well the welds are holding.

 

[Fred(DrivingSchool)Kinder]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

Look at the driver task:

Drag Racing
1.Burn-out
2.Staging
3.XmasTree reaction
4.Launch
5.Shift
6.Shift
7.Shift
8.Duration 11-12 seconds

Autocross
1.Staging
2.Launch
3.Shift(depends on layout)
4.Brake(depends on layout)
5.Turn(20 to 70 MPH, depends on layout)
6.Duration 50-70 seconds

Road Racing
1.0 Launch may or may not be a factor depending on event
2.0 Shifting
2.1 Up to 4th or 5th depending on track
2.2 down 5th to 1st depending on track
2.3 repeat 2.1 and 2,2 as required
3.0 Braking for turns 10 to 15 typical, speeds 40-150 mph
4.0 Turns speeds 40-150 mph
5.0 Duration 15 to 30 minutes typical
6.0 Cabin Heat Factor
7.0 Traffic
7.1 Passing doing or being
7.2 Car on your bumper at 40 to 140 mph

Seems pretty easy to evaluate when looking at the task.

Drag Racing reaction to XmasTree, Launch and shifting a three times and you are done. Max speed 118-123 mph

Autocross require launch and typically one shift, relatively low speed car control max. speed 70-80 depending on layout. One lap of 50-70 sec. typical

Road Racing Highest Maximum speeds, More braking skills, higher speed turns, shifting up approx 12 times per lap down shifting same. Repeat for 15 to 30 minutes. Now add 15-30 cars to the track.

In my opinion Road Racing is 30 to 100 times more demanding than an Autocross and 1000 times as demanding as Drag racing. Depends on your view of shifting, braking speed, Turn speeds, maximum speed and activity duration and traffic.

 

[Casey]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

Seems we all agree for the most part.

I personally feel much less risk on a Road Course, than on the Dragstrip. Maybe because I am NOT going wheel-to-wheel.

And at the strip, if you lose it, then those walls are right there to ruin your day.
The road course can send you in the dirt, sand, most of the time.

I'd rather have a dirty car than a cement wall.

 

[Early93Viper]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

I personally feel much less risk on a Road Course, than on the Dragstrip. Maybe because I am NOT going wheel-to-wheel.

And at the strip, if you lose it, then those walls are right there to ruin your day.
The road course can send you in the dirt, sand, most of the time.

I'd rather have a dirty car than a cement wall.

I think if you looked at insurance for both Road racing would be in a higher percentage of risk than drag racing. Especially if your not drag racing 1000+ hp cars it's pretty hard to lose control in a straight line. While if you’re pushing it on a road track other cars and walls take more skill to keep from hitting.

 

[Anaconda]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

This is sort of like what is harder, the 100 meter dash or a marathon. Each has easy points and tough points.

Anyone can run a hundred, but it takes a hell of a lot of training to run it under 10 flat. Same could be said of drag racing. Some people find deag racing easy, but let's face it, some people will NEVER master it. There's only so many John Force type of drivers out there (kinda like Carl Lewis).

Running a marathon is very tough, but really, once you get going, you just kinda stay in the groove and keep a good pace. You aren't flat out running full blast. To me, that is sorta similar to road racing. Again, there are only so many like Michael Schumachers out there.

I'd like to see Michael Schumacher face John Force in a drag race, and then see John Force face Schumacher in a road race...

 

[Casey]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

I personally feel much less risk on a Road Course, than on the Dragstrip. Maybe because I am NOT going wheel-to-wheel.

And at the strip, if you lose it, then those walls are right there to ruin your day.
The road course can send you in the dirt, sand, most of the time.

I'd rather have a dirty car than a cement wall.

I think if you looked at insurance for both Road racing would be in a higher percentage of risk than drag racing. Especially if your not drag racing 1000+ hp cars it's pretty hard to lose control in a straight line. While if you’re pushing it on a road track other cars and walls take more skill to keep from hitting.

Great points!

I think a stock Viper on the Drag strip is alot easier than a highly modded one. A lot less risk too.

Same goes for Road Racing though. With a stock car, your options are limited as well, and their would be less risk.

I think in both situatiions tires would make a difference in Risk factor as well.

 

[Casey]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

This is sort of like what is harder, the 100 meter dash or a marathon. Each has easy points and tough points.

Anyone can run a hundred, but it takes a hell of a lot of training to run it under 10 flat. Same could be said of drag racing. Some people find deag racing easy, but let's face it, some people will NEVER master it. There's only so many John Force type of drivers out there (kinda like Carl Lewis).

Running a marathon is very tough, but really, once you get going, you just kinda stay in the groove and keep a good pace. You aren't flat out running full blast. To me, that is sorta similar to road racing. Again, there are only so many like Michael Schumachers out there.

I'd like to see Michael Schumacher face John Force in a drag race, and then see John Force face Schumacher in a road race...

Not bad. Not sure that I agree with the "once you get going in a marathon" analogy. Try driving a car 100 miles with 50 miles of gas in the tank!

I would love to see Force and Schumacher test together. Then they could do some Ultimate Fighting and watch the little Schumy get worked over!

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

I'd like to see Michael Schumacher face John Force in a drag race, and then see John Force face Schumacher in a road race...

That pretty much sums it up doesn't it? Schumy has a chance againts Force in a drag race, but Force would never in a million years beat Schumy on a road course.

 

[Early93Viper]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

I'd like to see Michael Schumacher face John Force in a drag race, and then see John Force face Schumacher in a road race...

That pretty much sums it up doesn't it? Schumy has a chance againts Force in a drag race, but Force would never in a million years beat Schumy on a road course.

GOOD POINT!

 

[Anaconda]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

Not sure that I agree with the "once you get going in a marathon" analogy.

Well, I have never run a marathon, but I have run some 15k's (9.3 mile). After a while, you just kinda get into a "groove" and almost forget that your legs are moving. You find your pace and stick with it. That's kinda what I was getting at.

 

[CitySnake]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

I would suggest that skill is directly related to both the level and duration of concentration required.

Bearing that in mind, road racing requires the most skill by FAR.

However, 1 mistake in a drag race and it's over. You can make several in a road race and still win. (The previous statement was made just so I could appear more like TVC)

 

[Casey]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

Not sure that I agree with the "once you get going in a marathon" analogy.

Well, I have never run a marathon, but I have run some 15k's (9.3 mile). After a while, you just kinda get into a "groove" and almost forget that your legs are moving. You find your pace and stick with it. That's kinda what I was getting at.

I understand what you are saying. And agree with you!

But run that 9.3 miles back to back, and then do it one more time. Then let's talk!
Cause once your groove is busted, well, it ain't cruising anymore! LOL

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

I think the slower road race classes require more skill than the paddle-shifting F1 guys.

The speeds F1 guys are driving these days and how quickly their on the next corner, theres no time for shifting any other way. If you ever see any of the old F1 races, before padel shifters, you can't believe the guy is coming into a corner at 160 mph and take his hand off the wheel to shift.

F1 may be more simular to Autocross, just on a much larger track and much larger speeds.

 

[Casey]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

I can't imagine F1 with a throw shifter.

Although, I'd love to see those guys try using a 6-speed these days.
As long as they had the camera on their faces to see their reactions! I can imagine they'd be pretty frustrated!

 

[Fred(DrivingSchool)Kinder]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

The question was ".....More Skill...." - Comparing the perfect run at a drag strip to cruising a road track is not comparing the same achievement level at both events.

I know we try to rationalize our own fantasies but to answer the question you have to compare the same level of achievement at the events.

Comparing winning a sprint to surviving a Marathon again comparing World Class to just completing the event. Not much to compare except most novices can complete the Sprint and very few can complete a Marathon.

 

[pdmracing]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

road racing, 1 to 2 hours plus, 125 degree heat,30 to 70 cars on the track with you at the same time, you be the judge.

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

I saw former F1 driver Max Papis, take out 1/2 the pack on the first turn of the last GT World Challege. He missed 3rd and hit 1st and spun the car and took out about 6 cars. Not sure what track. I watched it last night from my Tivo.

If you watch F1 decade you'll see Max racing 10 years ago.

 

[Fred(DrivingSchool)Kinder]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

I think 90% of our drivers can get within 95% of the very best time at a Drag strip from a stock Viper RT/GTS. Example If 12.1 is the best John Force runs that means that most 90% of us can turn between 12.1 and 12.7.

Tommy Archer jumps into same car on a Road Course like Thunderhill, he turns a best lap of 2:08 at Thunderhill and over a 20 minute Viper Days event and has an average time is 2:10 per lap. Using the same 95% performance level how many of use can turn a best lap of 2:14.4 and average of 2:21. I bet fewer than 5% of the same group of drivers can come within 95% of Tommy's performance. Do not like my theoretical numbers just look at times from Viper Days events. Just my opinion on the subject.

Still seems like Road Racing Demands a lot more Skill than Drag Racing to get the same level or relative Performance.

Regarding the comparisons of someone with World Class 100 meter sprint performance to someone who can finish a Marathon may be some what close. Most of the VOI drivers can Sprint 100 meters but how many can complete a Marathon?

Also find Interesting comments about danger, comparing dirt and sand on road courses vs concrete on a drag strip. All of the Road Courses(Sebring, FL; Nashville,TN; Las Vegas, NV; Gateway, MO; Spring Mt. NV; Laguna Seca; Button Willow; Thunderhill) I have been on have Concrete walls in various areas. Those who think there are no concrete walls on Road Courses have limited or no Road Course experience. Typical Drag Strip top speed for a Stock Gen I/II 116-118. Most Road Courses will have top speeds in the 130's plus.

 

[Shelby3]

Re: Which do you think takes more skill Road Racing, Autocrossing, Drag rac

You're all wrong. Bench racing requires far more skill than any other. To apply bullsh!t in a manner that others will believe and respect, takes an amount of skill that few have.