WOAH WOAH WOAH there kemo sabe hold your horses, did you just spin out twice in one lap? Yes, we're all eager to hop in a train with the boys, but maybe don't throw up three fingers next time you get to the front of the line just yet...
Sure, solo runs can be boring. If the track is a series of sweepers, the event organizer hasn't marked inner and outer zones, you haven't done a couple grip laps, or if the track is insanely wide, it can be difficult to figure out what the actual line is. If you can't figure out what the line is, others are likely struggling as well. Hopping in a tandem train when no one knows where the car ahead is going to go is guaranteed to create chaos. Yes, half the battle is adjusting to the lead car, but the other half is being able to predict where that car is going to be placed in the next turn and when they're going to make their transition. When there is no determined line, you're basically Luke Skywalker flying around the Deathstar with no targeting computer - and most of us don't possess the power of the Force...
Like every relationship advice book says, "if you can't be by yourself then you shouldn't be in a relationship," and the same is true for drifting. So, let's take a step back.
Let's start with the track layout. Full tracks are generally pretty easy to determine - do a grip lap or two trying to find the quickest line, then do it with oversteer, done. Skidpad layouts are a different story. Organizers that set up back to back to back sweepers - why even bother setting up cones? They can be useful for learning car placement in tandem, but provide zero real-world skill development as most tracks are far more technical. Super wide layouts are just as useless as every turn ends up becoming a sweeper as well. For the best results - where drivers can develop their skills doing solo runs or have consistent, predictable tandem runs - a nice tight track with a mix or straights, sweepers, and hairpins is ideal.
Organizers, I get it, constantly resetting cones and chalking lines takes a lot of effort, but over time, as drivers improve their precision, there is less and less need. If you really want to encourage precise driving, using tires instead of cones seems to do the trick 😈
Drivers, I get it, constantly hitting cones and waiting for event staff to reset the track is frustrating, but the more time you spend learning to be precise, the less time you'll spend sitting on the grid. Tires marking the course may be imposing and have a chance to cause a lot of damage, but you'll learn quick! And tires don't need to be reset as frequently 😉
You're probably thinking, "ok, but I'm experienced, why should I do solo runs?" To which I'd reply: can you do this?
If the answer is yes, ok, carry on. If the answer is no, which is more likely, unless your name is Masato Kawabata, then there is plenty you can work on. I know, in the heat of it, it's hard to come up with self-imposed goals and say "no" to the doods, but there's always room for improvement in anything you do. Can you enter faster? Snappier? Get on throttle quicker? Make fewer corrections? Connect two distant corners without a manji? Can you intentionally throw too much angle and dig out? Can you cut the line into turn one, but get back on it by turn two? The list is endless.
My point is this: the more you test and push yourself/your car, the more situations you'll know how to navigate. Not only is this advantageous for solo runs, but tandem runs, figuring out new tracks, and avoiding crashes. Really, it's in your best interest to quit looking for the next relationship, idk, maybe take up meditation and get a rescue dog or something. It'll work out in the end, I promise. The end of the day is when all of the most fun runs go down anyway, so spending a little time on yourself before you throw multiple digits in the air is always a wise choice.
Here's another classic for the road just cuz Kawabata's car control and precision is beautiful and tanso runs don't get anywhere near as much respect as they deserve.
–Max