re: limited grip driving...

[C1J1Miller@aol.com]

Neil made some very good points about exceeding the limits while driving, be
it in poor visibility, adverse weather, whatever.  We quattro driver's laugh
at the SUVs we see off the side of the road, and just speed up.  That's why
you never see a quattro spun off at the side of the road: we're all off in the
woods way out of sight, since we're going so damn fast when we lose it.  So,
slow down, test your brakes, watch the outside temp as it approaches freezing,
and learn to drive your car where it's safe, not out on the road at high
speeds with the other idiots.  Remember, safe for conditions should include a
provision for emergency maneuvers/brakes when the kid runs out in the road, or
the idiot pulls out right in front of you, or....

As for the torsen vs. non-torsen in poor grip:  on the skid pad, with the
somewhat worn all-season Potenza RE-930s, understeer was simple: use the
throttle, or turn the wheel.  Oversteer took some concerted effort, and was
easy to recover by applying a little throttle.  Very controllable, seemed like
I could keep the back end out at a pretty constant angle while going in a
circle. I've driven non-torsen quattros before; over 130k miles in a 4kcsq
(not all at once, though), and even a 5kq at the winter driving school.  They
react differently, and in my opinion, they seem to be a little easier to get
oversteer out of.  Of course, way too many variables, such as tires, etc.  I
had to intentionally throw the rear way out (on the skid pad) to lose it, and
each time I was pushing the envelope way hard.  Losing it was not due to the
torsen, in my opinion; just trying to see how far I could go and recover.
Never got into counterskid...

Remember, the intuitive thing is not the best when you're in a skid: don't
keep turning the wheel if you're understeering, don't slam on the brakes if
you're oversteering (or lift off the throttle even!), and practice your skills
_before_ you need them.

Chris Miller, Windham NH, c1j1miller@aol.com, '91 200q
Took a winter driving school instead of buying snow tires...
waiting for some more snow so I can practice my braking and skid control
skills.