jcochrane wrote:chrisl wrote:Fair enough, thank you. (Although I do find it helpful to read the theory behind all this, including different opinions.)
The key to the System of Car Control, which is at the heart of Roadcraft and teaching from IAM and RoADA, is in the timing of its elements. Not really something you can get from a book.
Ah, the old "What's the secret of comedy?" gag. Doesn't work so well in print form
What you can do, having read these books, is try the principles for yourself. I don't think 'timing' is covered explicitly in RC, but it's like most things travel-related, in being inherently connected to speed and distance.
There is a knack to it: work 'backwards'!
For example:
To drive 'through' a turn, you need to be comfortable with applying throttle, and need to know where you will apply it and how much.
You'll also need to have decided a comfortable speed from which to apply power and from that can decide which gear.
So from 'throttle on' position, work backwards 'upstream'. Allow space for gear changes, prior to that (leaving out BGOL for now) have enough road space in which to slow.
If trying and learning, then you'll also need additional 'thinking' time to mentally talk yourself through it. That time requires distance. So the additional lesson is that if it all feels rushed then you're going too fast
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