Road Atlanta is a wonderful racetrack that takes you on a
rollercoaster of a ride through the Georgia hills. Having said that, does the phrase “off camber, full throttle, downhill section of track” excite you or does it make you want to spectate? If you sit in the former camp, then Road Atltanta’s turn-12 is for you (not that the other 11 turns demand any less). In fact, all 12-turns of the 2.54 Road Atlanta track are demanding and exciting when you get them right, treacherous when you don’t.
Todd Treffert qualified his 1974 911 IROC RSR on pole for last weekends all Porsche Celebration Race. If you are a fan of IMSA racing from the 1970’s and 80’s, you will love this. You see, Todd’s 911 has no driver aids, no PDK, no rev matching (unless you count his magical right foot), no rev limiter (he does utilize a shift light) and of course he does use the Porsche Sport Chrono Package from the day…. a $25 Robic stopwatch attached to the steering wheel with Velcro!
As you watch this video, focus on the driver talent while Todd is leading. Lightning quick shifts up and down through the gearbox, matching revs precisely every shift. Be sure to recognize how spartan his 911 is, it is simply designed to go fast and stop quickly. Like a very expensive knife, it’s very simple but you had better know what you are doing or you could get hurt! Notice the closing speeds when Todd starts to lap traffic, some drivers start to squirm as Todd approaches, some point Todd by, one simply pulls off track!!
Driving like this is becoming very rare which is why HSR is more popular today than ever. If you see a black 911 IROC numbered 141 with Todd Treffert stenciled on the roof, I recommend you find a spot and enjoy his style. In the meantime, enjoy the video!
View Comments (5)
The hairiest thing in this video for me is watching the drivers who are not knowledgeable about where to be positioned on the track as a "slower" vehicle as Todd comes up behind them. I remember many events road racing (PCA, SCCA and NASA) where, once committed to the pass, I just had to pray that these drivers saw me behind them and didn't move. It always helped when they waved me by, inside their car, pointing. I have seen many times where drivers moved while the pass was being made and the result was never pretty. In their defense, they may not have been properly trained to drive in race conditions on a track and in the video, one cannot tell if Todd is acknowledged by slower drivers giving him a hand signal. Anyway, hey, Todd... nice hands!
Richie, you are right if you talk to racers their biggest concern is on a track if they do not know the drivers who they are, is which ones should not be there on the track due to lack of experience or are just bad drivers.
Richie you are on the money, the overtaking driver does expect the slower car to hold his racing line. Historic races like the Mitty have much varied talent and skill levels from current IMSA drivers taking the weekend "off" to exercise a vintage Porsche to first time racers. Hopefully drivers in slower cars are watching their mirrors!
Even though I never drove on a race track I can agree that there is that moment when passing another car on the highway where I live in New Jersey and NYC that when that other car has to stay in their lane. Even only highway speeds of 70-75 mph you hope that other driver is paying attention to the cars around them.and does Not do something stupid .That they see my lane change signal indicator.and stay put.
Thomas you really are at the mercy of the other driver when passing on the interstate or the racetrack, hopefully they are paying attention.