Re: wheels/tyres

[JustaxPHX@aol.com]

> BTDT on non-Audi's - went to big fat sticky tires, and although maybe pure
>  cornering power was better, the whole steering feel became sluggish and 
slow 
> due to having to push that rubber around.

The changes you noted aren't necessarily caused by pushing more rubber 
around, as you claim ... different brands and even different models of the 
same brand often "feel" different.  Heck, even a few pounds difference in 
pressure is enough to change a tire's basic character, which is one reason 
why running a truly scientific tire test is almost impossible.  The ones you 
read in the car magazines are interesting but the results are not always 
universally applicable...

> makes a nimble quick feeling car into a camaro.  of course then you realize 
why camaro's feel  like camaro's - and 
> that they are getting most of their handling from pure rubber acreage.

A racer-buddy who worked in GM's "secret" racing department back in the late 
'80s -- Yes, they had one even if they'd always deny it when asked -- claimed 
the reason the Camaro always had slightly less power and smaller wheels than 
the Corvette is because it would outperform the 'vette otherwise and the 
marketing folks wouldn't let this happen...

JG