Smooth vs. Aggressive: Which is Faster? - The Racing Line Ep. 10 

I think Randy had way too much fun making this episode!

wtf aggressive doesn't mean purposely swerving left and right on straights though

But what if you're agressively smooth?

Randy, I don't think you'll be nominated for any Oscars for your acting.. It was entertaining as hell to watch though!

That was a bit exaggerated. I think there's a time for both aggressive and smooth. Sometimes to make the pass you gotta get a little aggressive but to keep the lead smooth is usually better.

Kinda silly comparison, you dont choose either silky smooth or balls to the wall, you stay within the happy medium of them both.

Since when did MT turn into cringy "comedy" channel and not for car enthusiasts?

You know, you can drive aggressively without drifting around like a slowpoke ricer.

slow is smooth and smooth is fast

Dunno. I thought there would be a balance between show and the scientific method. Instead it was all just a really prolonged way to tell someone that smooth is faster without explaining it.

One question, How are so many people complaining about this free entertainment. If i didn't watch this, i would have probably wasted 8 minutes on something far worse and lower quality. THANKS Motor Trend Channel!

The acting in racing line and porn is on the same level.

This taught me more about life than driving

Loved this episode! Walked away a little happier. :)

One of the best ads I've seen

Randy please don't smoke weed before you make the next episode!

Some of you forza players, please take note

Honest to say, Motor Trend is getting better and better every single day. Hell, I don't care if Top Gear would come back or not anymore

Randy's first kiss since 79'

Randy, you are the funniest guy on motor trend. i cant tell you how happy i am that they gave you your own show. i just love it.

Randy is just cool man! Love this guy

Randy's series has easily become one of the best and definitely one of the funniest.

I have nothing against fooling around but why on earth did you make a show with a racing driver as a host that should be about learning a good and fast driving style and then just make silly, completely uninformative episodes? If you want something just for fun give him a dirttrack and some old pickups or something but don´t try to make it seem like it should be informative.

Aggressive Randy looks like Howard Stern. Really enjoying this series. :)

A lot of my friends miss understand the meaning of smooth.. they always drive well under the limit, telling me that smoother is faster so they couldn't possibly go any faster. They call me aggressive but I don't actually slide the car, I'm just testing the limits and traction several times throughout the corner but still very smooth. This video did not help them understand as the aggressive guy was just being an idiot, all over the place and sliding the car. Why doesnt he just get some rotation and correct the steering every now and then? And the smooth guy maintain full traction the whole time with no rotation?

I just laughed my ass off!!! thank you!!!,I needed that!!! Dano 9/16/16

Come on! That was not agressive driving, that was driving as a RICER.

I always remember a piece of advice that applies to racing and many other things in life: Slow is smooth, smooth is fast

Randy is the voice of a generation. This is an oscar worthy performance.

MR.Agressive was faster by 0.24s ..according to their stats with 2s headstart and finish of: 1:35:39 & 1:37:15

It's not a case of either : or - you need to be both. You need to sit the vehicle on the limit of its performance, where it gives the best and quickest result. Being too smooth will slow you down, although the best and quickest drivers are still incredibly smooth. Being too aggressive will certainly slow you down. What do you need to be? Young or rich or good looking or strong or happy? Don't be bl00dy stupid - you need to be all of them!

Randy can sure hold his own for his own channel! Yeah, it was over the top, and I'd have preferred seeing 'aggressive' without over-the-top wasteful extra kick-outs (the ones in the corners were fine, but it looks like a few were thrown in), but we sorta get the point. That aside, Randy - congrats on your show, and thank you. Keep in mind that you don't have to prove anything to us by being the ultra-showman - most of us would be just happy even if you gave us a dry lecture, lol; you're already well known.

I know the answer, but I'll watch anyway...

Randy Pobst is the Bill Nye of the racing world. Thanks for the entertainment!

Dating advice from 70's Randy should be it's own show..! As for people complaining about over the top demonstrations, this is geared towards beginners and is sound advice when you're getting started.

Aggressive does not mean power sliding off corners and brainlessly stepping on the gas. The differences between the two is much more subtle. Smooth drivers tend to emphasize corner exit over mid-corner speed, which means much more disciplined braking before corner-entry, and meticulous placing of the car on the apex as they get back on the throttle in linear (not gentle, gentle is slow) fashion. Aggressive drivers believe in mid-corner speed as the holy grail of a lap time. They will usually trail brake into a corner and quite possibly lock a wheel or two at the peak of their braking (which usually doesn't affect lap time). On exit, they generally struggle for traction due to their high apex speed which forces the car to the outside of the track. With high lateral g-force acting on the tyres, its difficult to make them keep the car on the track as well as keep it moving forward at the same time, hence the wheelspin. Is smooth better than aggressive? Ayrton Senna was a really fast racing driver, and not many would describe his driving style as smooth. It really depends on the racing situation. Over a single qualifying lap, many would agree being aggressive is more rewarding. In endurance races, however, tyre longevity and protecting the car's mechanical parts become more of a priority, hence a smooth driving style usually pays off.

Those MX-5's sound really good.

It is true that smooth lends to better lap times, but aggression is vital when attempting to overtake opponents. For example, on a corner entry, you might brake later than usual and give up corner exit speed but if you time it correctly, you can overtake an opponent and stay ahead because you are blocking them off until you have to brake for the next corner, which you'll have to take smoothly and regain momentum

Love this series lol

I'm Mr. Aggressive on Forza and GT

All Randy needs is a dragon print smoking jacket, an Afro and a bottle of Couvoisier...super smooth! great driving tips, Randy making the world better one shift at a time

Aggressive drivers don't want to be slow ever. Smooth drivers know that you want to be slow when you need to be slow, but keep the slow part as small as possible. If you are totally neutral at the apex by being smooth all your traction can be devoted to turning and you'll actually be taking the turn faster. It is a matter of using all of the traction you've got to get going in the direction you want to go. Almost forgot, static traction is higher than dynamic--or if you are sliding or spinning you have less traction.

Honestly, I wouldn't have said it was due to the tires. The way it looked,the aggressive driver was driving too erratically and didn't have a racing line. He was turning more than he should've and sacrificed time. The smooth driver was driving with a pattern,not wasting momentum and energy going all out on the corners. That's just my take on it though

You know what pisses me off, being told they are mutually exclusive. You can drive super aggressively and drive smoothly.

Pobst is the bester evar.

I fucking love randy

Randy Pobst is the best!!!

The cutaways, in my opinion, are just the right amount of cheezy. I love it!

People think aggressive driving is Senna at Donington in the rain, and therefore fast. They don't realize what they're looking at, how those cars drove, and most importantly that they can't do the things that Senna did. Most Formula 1 drivers can't.

as usual,i always leave a motortrend video smiling :)

Like how Randy plays two characters in this episode. He's the aggressive driver and the marshal too

Lmaoooo the whole skit at the beginning was hilarious but "0 to 100 real quick" is where I finally lost it

i think motortrend just got bought out by telemundo...i was waiting for the guy in the bee outfit to pop out

would have been cool if you just made a video about it

Maybe if the aggressive driver was needlessly swerving around, drifting and going off the racing line, it would have been a more realistic test. I was expecting late braking and stabbing at the gas early, small slides on exit etc etc, not an actual drunk driver pointlessly sawing at the wheel. This was more like sitting us down and teaching us lesson, rather than a true test.

As a motorcycle track day rider who just started cars via sim racing (AC), these videos are GREAT!!! Huge differences between vehicles. Funny videos too!!

I'd say its about putting down the power in the most efficient manner, that applies to aceleration, taking curves, and braking but in this case its about reducing speed without loosing grip, so within these boundaries you have to be as aggressive as possible

I think that's an over exaggeration of aggressive vs smooth, aggressive driving in a sense should produce a faster lap while the smooth driving preserves the tire.

I have always liked Randy. Good to see him have his own show on MT and not just filling in to test drive cars on Jason or Johnny's show. Keep 'em coming Randy!

Overall I think smooth is almost always faster. However, there are times to be aggressive, just not too aggressive. Look at dirt track racing. Drivers can drive really smooth, but if they need to make a pass they’ll throw it into the corner hard and pull a slide job. However, you have to be careful not to be too aggressive doing that. I’ve seen guys throw it in too hard and they’ll push up the track too much on the exit and get passed back. You have to find that happy medium

I love hearing Randy's breakdown a car's handling characteristics in his reviews ... this was a bit silly, but still great entertainment. Go Randy!!

This is probably funiest episode that Motor trend ever made!GREAT JOB MOTOR TREND;))))

They really hit it out the park with the new Miata's design.

I think this is a bad example because being aggressively doesn't mean completely disregarding the apex

Randy Pobst is the Alton Brown of driving.

Lol I never thought we would be getting dating advice from Randy Pobst.

Way overdone Motor Trend... it was honestly hard to watch.

"Aggressive" could be interpreted in many different ways. If your interpretation is different than the one made on the video doesn't mean it's wrong or you're wrong. You're just using the term in a different aspect of driving. Try to understand what is the interpretation on the video before making a regrettable comment. You're probably thinking of "aggressive" as "pushing your limits". But in this video aggressive means "non-calculative". We all agree than being calculative(Smooth) and pushing your limits is the best way to be faster.

come on motor trend get more serious with instructinal videos love randy but cant take somekne serious with this "acting"

per my gunnery sergeant: slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

I feel like Mr. Smooth is the AI in a racing game and I'm Mr. Aggressive

Smooth vs Aggressive is exactly my problem at the trackdays, I guess it's a matter of focus, when I have cars near me I just want to pass them asap and end up been slower. Great episode, thank you!

Thanks Randy, I has a bad day at work. But then I saw this episode. I feel great now.

My favorite episode so far. Took me a while to recognized mr. aggressive

I actually like these skits a lot even though he's not the best actor but thats part of the humor! Keep it up Randy! Do what you like to do and enjoy it!

Thanks Randy for adding alittle fun but also being educational on driving styles. Great job.

What a charismatic guy, really enjoying the new series!

road rage runs in our blood, it is a family tradition that I very much intend to carry onward! Aggressive! All the way!

Mr. aggressive needs to learn how to drive. You can be aggressive and actually maintain a line.

I think we have different ideas on aggressive driving. Because my aggressive happens to be faster than my smooths.

This is far and away my favourite show on the channel. Randy, you're awesome.

Don't listen to all the babies who are complaining. Keep up the great work guys!

Smooth on a track and smooth driving your granny to church are not the same thing. Everyone who has been on the track understands this and while being aggressive may help you pass under braking, it only wins races in measured doses. This is a singularly good video teaching a lesson most don't get without a track school.

Got it. Don't overdrive the tire and keep it smooth. Solution get a better tire since the BF's couldn't handle the pressure. lol seriously, fun episode. Thanks

Drifting every corners isn't aggressive, that's plain maniac. Being aggressive means driving on the limit while still remain on the right racing line.

I expected a much more realistic, down to earth analysis between the two. This was stupid, reminded me of plays about not smoking in elementary school.

That 0-100 joke #rip

Anyone else who thought this was super cringy, should go back and watch the MX-5 vs BRZ video. To remember how informative and well presented Motor Trend videos used to be.

I was a very aggressive driver. Then I took a class with Hurley Haywood. Two laps in his passenger seat changed my driving style.

This video had such a chance to provide some actual, legitimate information to people about smooth, consistent driving towards the limit vs aggressive, over gassed, jerky driving and how it it faster. However, they went way over the top with the theatrics and made it a cartoon. What a waste of time for viewers who actually tuned in for some data along with their entertainment.

If you want to learn anything just skip to 5:18

Mr Aggressive was drifting and had delayed by 2 secs. So, Mr Smooth was driving slow.

If you didn't give a 2 second handicap, their times would have been the same.

Randy Pobst, I love you! I've learnt a lot from you already.

pobst is like the bill Nye of racing

Aggressive works only if your Kyle Busch in the Xfinity series. If Nashville was still on the circuit there would be so many more destroyed Gibsons.

the fast and furious reference with Randy driving past the start line lol.

I feel like there could have been a little more science and a little less flash. I think pretty much everyone watching this channel knows that driving smooth is better.....

I died when he dropped that Drake 0-100 reference 😂😂

That wasn't aggressive, that was just sloppy. If you're fishtailing all over the place you are slower, but that's just an example of poor form. Aggressive doesn't mean "tail-happy, weeble-wobble out the exits".