Torsen thread

[BRUCE <BRUCE@mannlawfirm.com>]

I have read the article, and most of the back and forth.  Couple of
observations.

I will assume the "bite" that has been described occurs, and, that
like Scott and Jeffrey have stated, it is repeatable.  

First, if all the posts were written to point out a potential "thing",
that thing has been made well known by this point x 20.

Second, to what Jeffrey has said.  Most everyone that has a car and a
helmet believe they are "pretty damned good drivers".  If in fact you
are a good driver, you know what I am saying is true.  Fact is,
though, IF this bite is something that can be induced in a torsen car,
above a given ___/10ths driving method, and under repeatable
conditions [ie., everytime on that 3rd curve using the high line at
70] and you continually induce it, and, as several write--it is a
dangerous loss of control "thing", then that is driver error by
definition, unless you are some kinda test pilot.  Like saying "it
hurts when I poke my finger in my eye".  Ah, don't poke your finger in
your eye?
If the design has "bit" you, and you know when and how, stop doing
whatever it is you are doing.

 
Most of the cars I have read about on this list are not race cars. 
The very few exceptions don't appear to be road driven.  Instead, most
are big-assed family sedans.  Now, I don't know where this "bite"
occurs, but I have taken the off ramps at 80+, have driven more in
gravel [fast] than anyone on the list short of a professional
rally-man / woman, in the wet, etc.,at speeds which most [present
company included] would judge to be purely insane, dangerous,
negligent, etc., and it either has not happened, or I am too dumb to
feel it.  

So, this is my final thought.  Some say it happens.  Fine.  I will
agree because those saying it happens are "pretty damned good drivers"
and have no reason to lie about this.  But, so what?  If it is
inherent in the design, either stay away from the design or keep the
design away from the places where you have induced the behavior. 
Finding a car's [or driver's] limits is one thing, and probably a good
thing.  But to continually operate a machine beyond the safe limits of
the design...why?  

Better still, make this topic a positive learning experience.  Tell
people exactly where it is induced [speed, degree of turn, banking,
pavement characteristics, what you were doing with left foot at the
time, etc.,] and, maybe people can prevent it from happening to them,
ie., not induce the behavior that is dangerous.

Just my buck worth,

Bruce