Slipstream - February 2019

Oversteer: Letter from the Editor
by Kurt Scaggs, Managing Editor
I’ve admitted in the past the fact that I do not possess
the talent necessary to fully explore the limits of a 35 year
old sports car. This pains me. I’ve given it a go on a few
occasions and though my pride hasn’t always survived,
everyone in the vicinity has lived to tell about it. More
importantly to some, no cars were harmed in the making
of this story.
Like many of us, I seek to improve my driving ability
and would love to one day, get involved in some form of
friendly competition with other like minded drivers. Mav
PCA has many ways to get involved, some of which are
highlighted this month. But what if you can’t find the
time to scratch that itch regularly? I might have found a
temporary answer. Video games! Bear with me.
My last video game console was purchased new in 1980,
an Atari Video Computer System better known as a 2600. I
vividly remember playing Asteroid into the wee hours, but
Tank was as close as it got to a driving game in my house.
This past Christmas was time to change all of that. After
much research and careful consideration I managed to talk
my wonderful (and understanding) family into an X-box to
“share”. This opened the door to Forza Motorsport 7 and
another late night or two in front of a video game. Let me
be honest, a video game will never replace the excitement
of hearing a flat six at full howl or the feeling of pushing
your Porsche through a corner faster than you thought you
could. What it will do is allow to you to explore technique
and practice awareness in the comfort of your media room,
in your pajamas, at midnight. If that’s your thing.
I believe you really can learn things driving a simulator.
The pros do it, it can’t be all bad right? Even the mere
mortals among us can gain some insight. I know that I’m
way faster on the tracks that I know than I am on the
tracks that I don’t. I have also learned that my hands really
weren’t fast enough, just like my last instructor kept telling
me. The difference is that this time I was able to completely
mess up that turn over and over and over until I finally
got it right without any wide eyed passengers or black flag
trips to the paddock. Oh, and I was finally able to paint my
(virtual) car pink as my son has been suggesting for years
now, so we’re both happy.
I might actually be in the minority of people that have
just figured this out. But if you’re on the fence, you can tell
your wife or husband that you read somewhere that video
games can help you become a better driver. Give it a shot
and... Enjoy the drive!
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