What is a better racing drivetrain, quattro or RWD.
03-05-2005, 04:25 PM
#31
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This is true, there is more drivetrain loss with awd.
So a quattro would need maybe 20 more hp than a similar RWD car just to stay equal...plus quattro adds over 100lbs of weight.
03-05-2005, 04:30 PM
#33
So far no one has raced the same car with and without AWD at the same weight and HP...
on the same track at the same time. There are so many variables to consider that saying one drivetrain is superior to another is not really possible, I can only go on what physics can tell me and what I see on the racetrack, and that is most racecars are RWD. Obviously AWD is better for rally cars, and on wet pavement, but on dry it's not that simple.
03-07-2005, 09:26 PM
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The only 2 places on the race track that it has an advantage is
the standing start (if there is one), and after the apex where you are releasing the steering and applying throttle from a slow corner.
Basically corners where forward traction is at a premium.
Everywhere else is a disadvantage due to weight.
So take your pick depending on the circuit.
Basically corners where forward traction is at a premium.
Everywhere else is a disadvantage due to weight.
So take your pick depending on the circuit.
03-09-2005, 08:40 AM
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Some guy entered a WRX STi in T1 at the Runoffs this past year
He got lapped by the leaders - I guess he was hoping for rain? As usual Z06s dominated the entries, but a GT3 ran a strong second.
Looking at the T2 results, a CTS-V took the victory, with its 400hp engine. It's got a min weight only 20lbs higher than the B6 S4 but has 60 more hp. HP isn't everything but I'm guessing a T2 prepped S4 wouldn't beat the CTS-V with comparable drivers in the dry.
As far as the AWD vs RWD debate goes, it appears that you don't learn much from looking at today's SCCA - the few AWD cars that are legal are not competitive in their classes because they're significantly down on power given their weight limits. For a "fair" comparison you'd need to have equivalent power/weight ratios, just as you suggest.<ul><li><a href="http://ww2.scca.com/clubresults.php?ID=196">2004 Runoffs results for T1</a></li></ul>
Looking at the T2 results, a CTS-V took the victory, with its 400hp engine. It's got a min weight only 20lbs higher than the B6 S4 but has 60 more hp. HP isn't everything but I'm guessing a T2 prepped S4 wouldn't beat the CTS-V with comparable drivers in the dry.
As far as the AWD vs RWD debate goes, it appears that you don't learn much from looking at today's SCCA - the few AWD cars that are legal are not competitive in their classes because they're significantly down on power given their weight limits. For a "fair" comparison you'd need to have equivalent power/weight ratios, just as you suggest.<ul><li><a href="http://ww2.scca.com/clubresults.php?ID=196">2004 Runoffs results for T1</a></li></ul>
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