S4 vs. M3, rallye racing magazin 11/97 (long)

[quk@isham-research.demon.co.uk (Phil Payne)]

In message <199804202143.PAA02500@su049.ast.lmco.com> Harry R Glesner III writes:

> >Herr Schumacher is driving a glorified Go-Kart with almost no weight.
>
>  Last time I looked neither the S4 or the M3 generate up to 5000 pounds of aero
> induced down force... down force = increase in c/f = greater braking force. Not
> to mention big sticky tires and carbon on carbon braking surfaces. If a current
> f1 car is just a glorified go-kart god praise that glorification!

The _great_ art of Formula One braking (without, natch, ABS) is
controlling the braking force as that aerodynamic effect disappears.

At 1xx mph - agreed, 5000lb of downforce.  Hit the brakes, and that
downforce is in there helping the c/f do the work.  But as you shed
speed, you shed downforce - very quickly indeed.  The brake pedal
pressure has to be released very quickly to stop the back inside
wheel locking up.  It astounds me, on a regular basis, that they've
found 30-odd people on the planet who can do this.

--
 Phil Payne
 Phone: 0385 302803   Fax: 01536 723021
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