RE: Flag Debate (I want other specs)

[Eaton Dave <dave.eaton@minedu.govt.nz>]

a number of people have asked that i fill in the gaps in the circuit times
recorded by autocar in their recent handling test.  ok, so here is the
complete list: -

bmw 328i (193hp rwd) 1:17.64 (11th)
jag xkr (370hp rwd) 1:15.15 (10th)
imprezza wrx (240hp awd) 1:14.52 (9th)
merc e55 (370hp rwd) 1:12.89 (8th)
lotus elise sport (190hp rwd) 1:12.68 (7th)
tommy kaira, (185hp rwd) 1:12.40 (6th)
porker 911 (300hp rwd) 1:12.12 (5th)
mitsi evo v (280hp awd) 1:11.93 (4th)
lotus esprit (350hp rwd) 1:11.60 (3rd)
ferrari f50 (479hp rwd) 1:09.81 (2nd)
caterham superlight r (190hp rwd)  1:06.26 (1st)

clearly weight is one of the factors people have been ignoring in this
debate...

in addition, some more information about the "motor" circuit test from their
september issue.  they rated the 911 1st with 93 points, the wrx 2nd with 89
and the m3 3rd with 64.  the m3 was panned for poor brakes and high levels
of slow corner understeer coupled with twitchy high speed power-off
oversteer.  the m3 is of course the euro evo 2 m3 with 320hp.

also interestingly in the context of the current debate, the levels of grip
recorded (g meter) between the wrx and the m3 were similar despite the m3
having 245/45 17 rear and 225/40 17 front tyres against the wrx's 205/50
16's (all round).  the wrx was much better under brakes than the m3, and
only marginally worse than the 911 (911 rating a 9, the wrx a 8, and the m3
only a 4), despite poorer wheel/tyre specification than either car....

perhaps the m3 (despite it 50:50 weight distribution) is suffering in the
chassis dynamics department?  hold on a minute, how could the wrx with it's
awful front-biased weight distribution and lack of a locked centre diff
brake better than the m3???  

oh dear, back to the drawing board.....

dave
'95 rs2
'90 ur-q
-------------------------------

Dave,
    I agree with you BTW,  But I would like the rest of the info on what
cars were 1st, 3rd, 6th, etc.   Could you fill in the blanks below for
me???
    Thanks