Is there a better feeling than completing an absolutely perfect recovery on track than the one you have when your racing instructor is right beside you?
Those of you who have taken racing courses on track probably know the answer to that question. It’s not about making a good impression, it’s about somebody with more experience than you (the instructor) throwing a couple of praises your way which in turn help build up your confidence, which is what it’s all about.
In this video, the driver of the MX-5/Miata loses the rear end of the car on Turn 9 at Laguna Seca, yet manages to recover from the 360-degree spin like a seasoned vet.
The guy doing the driving is apparently the same guy who posted the video and as far as we can tell, he’s not exactly praising himself as much as he could, which we can appreciate. He does however seem unsure as to what happened, mentioning that it wasn’t liftoff oversteer and that perhaps he applied too much throttle and steering input mid-turn.
One solid explanation would be that he clipped the kerb while accelerating mid-corner and that initiated the spin. It’s hard to be certain because of the angle of the camera, but this may have been what happened.
Liftoff oversteer could have been it, but the driver knows better than anyone if he lifted off or not, and he says he didn’t, so…that one goes out the window.
Either way, great composure under pressure. The fact that the MX-5 is notoriously docile and easy to drive for a RWD roadster certainly helped as well.