Deviating from the System on familiar roads?

[Phisp]

I'm currently just thinking about the scenario of approaching a bend from a long straight on an NSL road.

The System dictates that the entry speed for the bend should be set before the approapriate gear is selected. On a long, straight section of NSL road you are likely to be in top gear. However, if you know the road and know that, for example, 4th gear is suitable for this corner then what issues would you have by selecting the gear before setting the speed?

I can't see that it is any less safe or smooth. The slightly increased engine braking could mean that there is no need for any form of braking at all. There might even be the chance you can add a bit of "sparkle" to your drive by keeping the pace up slightly.

I'd probably fail my IAM test for this but, other than that, I can't yet see an issue with this method.

Any thoughts?

[ScoobyChris]

I guess the question is, how do you *know* 4th gear is suitable for the corner?

If we're linking speed with vision then we don't know what the entry speed for the corner is until we have a view into the corner (dead sheep scenario). If you have a view, then you can set the speed and get the gear....

Chris

[7db]

Are you always in the right gear for the speed? If so what isn't systematic about what you propose?

I see no harm in coming off the gas with the speed dropping, selecting fourth when appropriate and then starting the turn-in. No point taking it too early, and looks like poor planning if you take it before you *know* you need it as Chris suggests. But plenty of point in taking it early enough to be well settled and on the throttle prior to cornering.

[WhoseGeneration]

"Familitary breeds contempt".
Some describe as "Local knowledge".
No, each day is a new day.

[Phisp]

True enough, a familiar bend you can't see fully through is no different to an unfamiliar one.

[p1esk]

I deviate from 'the system' on all roads.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[WhoseGeneration]

p1esk said:

I deviate from 'the system' on all roads.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

No, you dont.
You apply it, albeit based upon your decades of experience.
Many ways of learning, you see.

[mph999]

A road that you know should be driven in exactly the same way as a road you don't know.

Of course, local knowledge is useful, but we should drive primarily on what we can see ...

Martin

[p1esk]

WhoseGeneration said:

p1esk said:

I deviate from 'the system' on all roads.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

No, you dont.
You apply it, albeit based upon your decades of experience.
Many ways of learning, you see.

Wot....learning....me? Some folk don't believe that.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[thunderbelmont]

mph999 said:

A road that you know should be driven in exactly the same way as a road you don't know.

Of course, local knowledge is useful, but we should drive primarily on what we can see ...

Martin

Which I would read as that you have to be dynamic and adaptive on your approach, which means that any rigid "system" is flawed, other than one which states that you adapt your driving to suit the conditions (traffic, road, weather, etc..) at that time.

[GreenV8S]

thunderbelmont said:

Which I would read as that you have to be dynamic and adaptive on your approach, which means that any rigid "system" is flawed, other than one which states that you adapt your driving to suit the conditions (traffic, road, weather, etc..) at that time.

Perhaps I'm missing the point, but I thought 'the system' WAS a set of guidelines on how to adapt your driving to the conditions. It deals with looking for, recognising and dealing with hazards. Surely that's exactly what you mean by being dynamic and adaptive etc.

[cv01jw]

mph999 said:

A road that you know should be driven in exactly the same way as a road you don't know.

Of course, local knowledge is useful, but we should drive primarily on what we can see ...

Martin

As a wise man once said to me, local knowledge should only ever be used to reduce your speed, never to increase it.

[thunderbelmont]

We should also drive as if to expect ourselves coming from the other direction.

[p1esk]

thunderbelmont said:

We should also drive as if to expect ourselves coming from the other direction.

I'd never dare to go out if I had to cope with that!

Best wishes all,
Dave.