Around the early 80's, I took part in a Bob Bondurant high performance driving session at Sears Point as a journalist. We were encouraged to bring our own cars to run on the track, so we could learn how to better take advantage of their performance envelopes, and at the same time, improve our emergency car handling skills. I had brought my old 530i in the hopes of hooning it around the track, tail out, grabbing upshifts like a pro. But first, we had to sit through a chalk talk, in a track conference room with a couple of instructors who described the different apexes around the track, trail braking, and smooth steering inputs so we wouldn't upset the car's balance when we were near the limits of adhesion. Once that (we thought, unnecessary) session was over, Bob Bondurant showed up and took 5 of us onto the track in a full size Chevy van, if I recall correctly, a blue Beauville window van. He said he wanted to show us the proper line around the circuit before we took to the track in our own cars. A light rain was falling, so, I thought he'd just cruise around pointing out the proper apexes and such. Well.... That. Didn't. Happen. While casually discussing the grip that different pavement types offered, he accelerated hard up the hill through a left kink, and toward the first right turn, which was blind. At that point, we went from being slightly apprehensive to quite alarmed at the rate of speed we were approaching the blind corner. In a big top heavy van. In the rain. As we careened into the corner, I recall he actually turned around and said, "most people only explore a small part of the performance most vehicles are easily capable of." As he said this, I noticed we were sliding sideways through the corner. In a big van. In the rain. On a racetrack. As we held on for dear life, he smoothly caught the slide at the end of the turn. Then he pitched the damn thing in the opposite direction as a new left corner loomed. We slid through that turn, again, sideways, and I don't think he ever lifted. The thing is, we were hauling serious ass around the track, in less than ideal conditions, in a less than ideal vehicle, and Bondurant was utterly unperturbed. After a few corners like this, our hackles retreated, and we began paying close attention to the fact that while we were blitzing through the racetrack's characteristically uphill and downhill corners and straights, Bondurant's steering inputs were supremely smooth, and without any hint of jerkiness. We were witnessing a true expert, fully engaged in his craft.
I learned a great deal that day, several decades ago, and it's served me well in safely handling on-road incidents in a succession of performance vehicles. I also learned that Bob Bondurant was a hell of a driver, and an even better instructor. Rest in Peace sir.
Comments (7)
Around the early 80's, I took part in a Bob Bondurant high performance driving session at Sears Point as a journalist. We were encouraged to bring our own cars to run on the track, so we could learn how to better take advantage of their performance envelopes, and at the same time, improve our emergency car handling skills. I had brought my old 530i in the hopes of hooning it around the track, tail out, grabbing upshifts like a pro. But first, we had to sit through a chalk talk, in a track conference room with a couple of instructors who described the different apexes around the track, trail braking, and smooth steering inputs so we wouldn't upset the car's balance when we were near the limits of adhesion. Once that (we thought, unnecessary) session was over, Bob Bondurant showed up and took 5 of us onto the track in a full size Chevy van, if I recall correctly, a blue Beauville window van. He said he wanted to show us the proper line around the circuit before we took to the track in our own cars. A light rain was falling, so, I thought he'd just cruise around pointing out the proper apexes and such. Well.... That. Didn't. Happen. While casually discussing the grip that different pavement types offered, he accelerated hard up the hill through a left kink, and toward the first right turn, which was blind. At that point, we went from being slightly apprehensive to quite alarmed at the rate of speed we were approaching the blind corner. In a big top heavy van. In the rain. As we careened into the corner, I recall he actually turned around and said, "most people only explore a small part of the performance most vehicles are easily capable of." As he said this, I noticed we were sliding sideways through the corner. In a big van. In the rain. On a racetrack. As we held on for dear life, he smoothly caught the slide at the end of the turn. Then he pitched the damn thing in the opposite direction as a new left corner loomed. We slid through that turn, again, sideways, and I don't think he ever lifted. The thing is, we were hauling serious ass around the track, in less than ideal conditions, in a less than ideal vehicle, and Bondurant was utterly unperturbed. After a few corners like this, our hackles retreated, and we began paying close attention to the fact that while we were blitzing through the racetrack's characteristically uphill and downhill corners and straights, Bondurant's steering inputs were supremely smooth, and without any hint of jerkiness. We were witnessing a true expert, fully engaged in his craft.
I learned a great deal that day, several decades ago, and it's served me well in safely handling on-road incidents in a succession of performance vehicles. I also learned that Bob Bondurant was a hell of a driver, and an even better instructor. Rest in Peace sir.
Loss of a legend. R.I.P. Bob.
Really helpful and informative
www.scienceexperimentathouse.xyz/2021/03/lee-lacocca-corporate-warhorse.html?m=1
Never really retired. Used his knowledge and skill to help others. He will be missed.
He had a long and successful life racing. RIP