Crew Chief's Job
Step one...figure out how to measure everything consistently. Caster, Camber, Toe, Wheel Stagger (circumference difference from L to R), ride height at each corner, LS %, Rear%, and Cross%, tire pressure, tire durometer
Step two...figure out how to adjust all of the above
Step three...get the car set up by a pro, and record every aspect of that BASELINE setup
Step four...learn when and why to make any of the adjustments in step one from your baseline
Step five...learn how to get all this right before the feature each night!
Driver's Job
Practice...seat time builds confidence in the car and will teach you to recognize what the car is doing.
Communication...It is your job to accurately account for every little thing the car is doing and where it is doing it. You must be able to tell how the car changes throughout a practice run. The more you explain to your crewchief, the faster he can make you go.
Concentration...you are there to worry about yourself, and your car's speed on the track. Those who can maintain that focus best usually end up doing better sooner. DO NOT concern yourself with other's accomplishments at the track. People with years of experience should be better than you and comparing yourself to them only serves to intimidate you, and trust me when I say that they do intentionally try to intimidate you. Keep them out of your head! There's as much to racing off the track as there is on the track.
A quote from Mario Andretti...if it feels like you have everything under control, you aren't going fast enough.
