Re: a q awdry

[QSHIPQ@aol.com]

In a message dated 97-01-15 17:16:56 EST, you write:

<< sorry scott but where do you get the idea that the "european racing venue
 places the a4q and m3 as the 2 top competitors to each other".
 
 the m3 isn't raced in europe.  it isn't eligible for fia class 2 which is
restricted
 to engines of 2 litres max and 8,500 rpm ceiling.
>>>>  Thanks for the clarification, I am aware of the fia engine rules, my
argument was chassis and suspension, my understanding is that the bmw is
based on the "new" 3 chassis, as much as the A4 is......  Given the HP of
both cars, my call for a comparo on the street level.....  To limit the 2
liter class doesn't translate well into any form of street car....  Maybe a
jump for me, tho the q system in the A4 doesn't translate well to street
either....  
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
  bmw race a 2 litre coupe based around the 325i shell.  they used to call it
 the 318i (yeah right), but it is now called a 320i.  the engine is a
destroked
 version of the old m3 4 pot screamer.  i don't think that bmw ran with that
 unit last year in the btcc and german series though, instead developing a
 unit based around their current 4 pot motor.
 
 audi are not allowed to run their 5 valve engines as this would give them an
 "unfair advantage" and so use an engine based around the old vw 1.8i unit.
 
 btw in further reference to the advantage of awd, john cleland is quoted in
the
 latest autosport in reference to 1997:-
 
 "things are looking good as long as audi isn't allowed to walk away with it
again.  
 if you ask me 4 wheel drive should be banned tomorrow, not next year.  but
as it's 
 here for another season, alan gow,  the guy who runs the btcc, has to do the
right 
 thing about the weight or it will be a joke.  at the moment, with things as
the fia 
 has left them [with a 95kg weight penalty over the fwd cars and a 45 kg
penalty 
 over the rwd cars], frank biela could win the btcc towing a caravan." 
 
 enough said?
  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
  And given the way audi is executing the awd system, not sure I disagree
(and am on record here for this a long time ago) at all....  one rain day
could make that 45kg seem like feathers....  My own opinion (last spring,
when the protest scuttlebutt started) was for fia to make bmw jump on the
bandwagon....   To me, racing is where the best of the best (and I believe I
compared torsens here) technology is run....  When you make audi run around a
track with a bag'o bricks, it just isn't fair...  I disagree with the fia for
making the ruling they did, and hope that the q's last in racing venues
worldwide....  Dave, I found one post and will send it to you private e-mail,
since it is rather long, and already posted.....  I have no doubt that the
last statement is true.....