Re: Tribune review

[Sargent Schutt <sargent@novagate.com>]

Jeffrey J. Goggin wrote:

> >Please correct me where I'm wrong on any of the above. I have relatively
> >little experience in my on-track racing log. Most of the physics that explain
> >the how and why of the various set-ups is what interests me here.
>
> One common misnomer about Audi's quattro system is that it allows their cars
> to corner/handle better than its FWD and RWD competition ... well, not
> necessarily.  The actual improvement in cornering ability is only a few
> percentage points at best ... the big difference is the transitions INTO and
> OUT of corners.  In general, AWD cars can accelerate harder/earlier out of
> corners and depending upon the diff configurations, also brake much
> harder/later into them.  That's why, to quote John Buffum, the quattro
> racer's mantra is "In like a lamb, out like a lion."  Works on pavement, too.
>

Thanks,

I had intended to get that across, but I didn't do so quite as clearly. AWD
allows greater/faster accelleration earlier in the exit of the turn, at which
point the RWD cars can't put as much of their power to use.

On that note, though, is their a decided advantage in having the steering wheels
having power too, as they are helping to pull the car inthe right direction
(fighting the understeering)?? I would think so. In rwd you can use the throttle
to help point the car, but in doing so you are comparatively wasting power on
steering, whereas the awd car is using it for steering (by virtue of the front
wheels *pulling*) and thereby achieves greater accelleration.

What I'm supposing is that you are getting a sizable efficiency gain with respect
to acelleration *while* pointing the car in the right direction (front wheels
pulling in the right direction). This, all to the extent that you do not/ can not
exceed the lateral limits of the suspension/tire set-up as once you hit that
point you only have understeer, unless the F/R bias is set-up to allow
on-throttle oversteer (and you have enough HP there to cause oversteer).

In most of the BTCC etc I do not see oversteer used to generate faster lap times
like the good 'ole boys of Nascar (judging by what I've seen). If that's the case
then how much advantage is there over FWD vs. RWD? (just to throw another coal on
the fire). In any event, I cannot see any advantage any setup might have over
AWD, in any road condition. Which is of course why I drive Audis.

Anyway, thanks for the response, any further direction on this appreciated (esp
in anticipation of Thunderhill upcoming in January).

Sarge