You can drive around understeer, but as a general rule, if you're not sliding slightly, your not going as fast as you could be.

But if you're sliding, you're going too fast as you'll have exceeded the grip available...

Rob.

But if you're sliding, you're going too fast as you'll have exceeded the grip available...

Rob.

Depends, on the road I'd agree with you. On a track or other area with no bystanders and large run-off. It can be fun.

make sure to let Adam and Jamie know that this myth is

:confused:

But if you're sliding, you're going too fast as you'll have exceeded the grip available...

Exactly - and you may be going faster, but you're going in the wrong direction!

Chris

Exactly - and you may be going faster, but you're going in the wrong direction!

Chris

Think this is off topic now and not entirely correct :confused:

I'm not going to go into the science and the types of slide and how the driver uses the characteristics of the lack of grip to position the car.

But if you really believe this is true, why do F1 drivers (and other racing drivers) constantly exceed grip?

And if you think they don't, see them up close or ask a racing driver. Have a look at the back end of Hamilton's car or Alonso's forced understreer in the Renault

I'll be sure to get my other half to ask them at the next McLaren Xmas do

Chris

But if you really believe this is true, why do F1 drivers (and other racing drivers) constantly exceed grip?

I'd imagine having 1250bhp/tonne has something to do with it, ie. it's pretty tricky to not break traction, even with the large sticky tyres they run.

Rob.

I'd imagine having 1250bhp/tonne has something to do with it, ie. it's pretty tricky to not break traction, even with the large sticky tyres they run.

Rob.

As well as large amounts of HP, don't they also have wings and other aero devices that stick their cars to the track?

I thought that the current consensus was that F1 cars were begin criticised for having too much grip compared to their power output??

I remember reading an article by Heikki Kovalainen a driving his own Renault F1 Team R26 Megane around silverstone, saying that it slide much more than an F1 car when driving fast? Surely it should slide less, if the above is right??

As with everything, it depends

Watch Alonso behind the wheel - he see-saw's the wheel and has a very aggressive cornering technique where he appears to use full lock or no lock when steering. This is what causes the understeer and it's caught him out a couple of times (remember the race earlier this year where he was cutting across the grass on most laps?!). Compare him to someone like Hamilton who pushes the car round corners on the throttle and also uses minimal steering. Not only does he look more in control, but he also seems to be consistently quicker.

Anyway, I think we've hijacked this thread enough :rofl:

Chris

I remember reading an article by Heikki Kovalainen a driving his own Renault F1 Team R26 Megane around silverstone, saying that it slide much more than an F1 car when driving fast? Surely it should slide less, if the above is right??

No, because a exceeding grip can either be done by:

1. Overdoing the speed input (ie. too much power).

2. Overdoing the turning input (ie. if you've got a lardy French hatchback that's pushing a lot of weight into corners).

In the case of the F1 car, I'd imagine it's more down to the former.

In the case fo the Megane, I'd imagine it's more down to the latter.

In either case, if you've lost grip you either won't be turning as sharply as you could or maintaining the same accelerative force, as you won't have the necessary traction to provide these. Same way that wheelspinning isn't the fastest way off the line.

Rob.

:confused:

you've not heard of mythbusters? :eek:

Are handling/suspension mods such as the Seat Front Strut Brace and the Jabbasport Rear ARB...

a) possible

and/or

likely to prove beneficial

on a non vRS Fabia?

My suspension is currently standard, but I'm planning on switching to 16" vRS wheels and lowering the suspension a touch with Eibach springs in due course. Would it be a good idea to consider these other mods at some point too?

Both will fit, yes. Front upper strut brace is a waste of money imvho. Jabba ARB is a must buy....

Chris

Both will fit, yes. Front upper strut brace is a waste of money imvho. Jabba ARB is a must buy....

Chris

Not if it's bolted onto the front top mounts. Just sitting on the chassis is pointless though.

Not if it's bolted onto the front top mounts. Just sitting on the chassis is pointless though.

It is pointless without a lower front strut brace

Chris

It is pointless without a lower front strut brace

Chris

I wouldn't say 'pointless' but a lot less effective, yes.