Past Issues

Track day junkie Ingrid Steffensen reviews her strategy for overcoming the winter blues. Ross’s Speed Secret challenges you to think about when next season preparation should begin, and he writes about learning to change your car’s direction by changing its balance.

James Colborn shows you how data acquisition can be both affordable and readable for the average racer. Ross’s Speed Secret shows that data acq is one piece of the puzzle, and he explains the order in which he prefers to read data for maximum benefit.

Sports car-championship winner and personal coach David Murry explains how to analyze yourself and your car for better results. Ross’s Speed Secret tells you how to improve your adaptability, and then he talks about what you can do to prepare in the off-season.

Chief Instructor and insurance risk manager Ryan Staub shows you how to avoid an impact, whether you are in the driver or passenger seat. Ross’s Speed Secret suggests you use all the track, and he addresses weight management (of your car, not yourself!).

This issue focuses on the brilliant career and tragic death of racer/instructor Sean Edwards, with Chuck Hawks, Don Kitch, Jr., Peter Krause, Rob Schermerhorn, and Kevin York contributing their thoughts. Ross’s Speed Secret is about balance and why that is important to both instructors and drivers.

Visionary coach Chuck Hawks writes about how best to use your eyes when driving. Ross’s Speed Secret says to think further ahead, as well, and he answers a reader’s question about left-foot braking.

Ross introduces feature writer Don Kitch Jr. with his story about pursuing sponsorship for the Indy 500. Don follows that up with his question, “What Will You Do to Race?” Ross’s Speed Secret is his magic formula “MI + A = G.”

HPDE Instructor Ingrid Steffensen details her transition from student to teacher and why she took the plunge. Ross’s Speed Secret focuses on how winning is a matter of learning how. He also introduces his next project, “Brake, Brake, BRAKE! The HPDE Instructor Manifesto” and gives you a tip on instructing.

Professional engineer Jeff Braun asks the two Big Questions he wants his drivers to answer, so he can do his job. Ross’s Speed Secret says practicing how you want to race has important consequences. He also gives you a tip about your footwork.

Ross interviews X-Games superstar skateboarder and RallyCross driver Bucky Lasek about how the two sports compare. Ross’s Speed Secret says you should program yourself for luck; he writes about a driver he coached who let his lack of luck get to him and how he was able to turn it around.

Successful driver (and marketing company principle) Karl Thomson explains his learning curve in his first race car (a Porsche 944) and how his experience can help you. Ross’s Speed Secret exhorts you to integrate your brain, and how it can help you get into the flow.

Ross interviews ALMS Starter Dennis Paul about his perspective from the Starter’s tower. Ross’s Speed Secret favors mindset over technique on the starts; pro racer Colin Braun and coach Peter Krause weigh in on how starts – and restarts – can affect your race.