quattro handling dynamics at the edge

[Alan Pritchard]

Vehicle is a 1990 90q 10v, with 15" wheels and uprated shocks.
Basically in my car I can barrel round corners with careful throttle
control. When I can hear tyre squeal I know im close to an
oversteer/understeer situation...
Basically, quickest way I find round a corner is fly in, and onto the brakes
to a suitable speed to be able to drive round the corner at a similar speed
to a fwd car. But approx 1/3rd (just before apexing) the throttle can be
rolled back on again, and usually floored out of the corner. In comparison a
fwd car at this point would usually end up going straight.
Now the funnest way round a corner is something entirely different. If you
enter the corner too fast you will generally be in an understeer situation,
this can usually be changed by backing off, turning tighter and reapplying
power (generally) then it's a case of using a correct amount of power and
steering control to drift the car how you want it.
An easier way to learn this is before entering a corner, provoke oversteer
by turning slightly in the opposite direction, off the power, and then
reapply the power as you turn in the right direction. Basically to get
oversteer you really need to shift the weight around a bit to get the
correct tyres to break free....
By the way, this is all as I remember (its taken me 2 years to get ok at
this) it may vary from vehicle to vehicle. But generally, if you crash
something with Quattro on the road, you should ask yourself if you should be
driving ;) and don't try any of this on the road, over road users do not
like it when you overtake them going sideways ;) but seriously, practice in
a car park, track, private land... or anything....

Best Regards,
Alan Pritchard

Network Administrator
Mechanical Design Engineer
Seaeye Marine Ltd.
+44 (0)1329 289000

 -----Original Message-----
From: 	lws at o-o.yi.org [mailto:lws at o-o.yi.org] 
Sent:	26 July 2004 16:56
To:	quattro at audifans.com
Subject:	quattro handling dynamics at the edge

Hi, I have a question about driving a Quattro when you start to lose
traction.

The rule of thumb for RWD is to back off the throttle when the rear comes
around, and with FWD the rule is to hold steady as long as you still can
feel traction through the steering wheel.  What do you do with quattro,
when the balance keeps dynamically shifting back and forth?  Do you get
any warning that you're about to totally lose traction before all hell
breaks loose?
Or does the car just handle fine, right up until the moment it doesn't?

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