jyoteen

Even with some semi-stiff springs/shocks, this thing is an understeering pig. Dare I say, it understeers worse than my VW, last time I drove it on the track. Sure, the quattro helps me rocket out of the corners, but getting to them is an entirely different matter.

Then there is the weight issue of the car. I'm no lightweight. Far from it, but jeez, even with ~320 hp, the Avant is becoming less and less FUN.

I just got back from Thunderhill, and I'm glad to say, that my previously rated poor performance there 3 weeks ago with the Quattro club is thankfully, a distant and forgotten memory. I started out the weekend bygetting a couple of 2:24s and 2:22s the first session, and then doing a whole bunch of 2:19/2:20s with a clear, passenger and traffic free laps. I was hoping that by the second day, I'd be able to pull a 2:18. The end of Friday, it was looking bleak, and on Saturday morning, I was trying to think what I could do before the Kumhos started to melt to achieve a smoother and faster lap. The answer?

<img src="http://www.thunderhill.com/IMAGES/Trackmap.gif">

Drive like a bat outa hell, inspired by being chased by a 993 C4S (with modified gear ratios, roll cage, minus sound insulation), and a Z06. In the turns, there was NO WAY, I could ever reach the speed or the ability to hang in and make my way to the apex (especially) in turns 2, 4 and 5a (downhill sweeper). But luckily, the torque and the turbos were able to provide me enough power to be able to walk away from the C4S in between 6 and 8, and 9 and 10, and keep the Z06 at bay. The driver of the Z06 even commented to me today that he had a difficult time passing me on the front straight (I had to let off the gas to ensure a safe pass before room ran out)

So, I pulled about 4 2:17s (with one 2:17.01). Woohoo!

Now, to work on getting consistent 2:17s and less. I can only imagine that getting less than a 2:16 may entail lightening the car quite a bit. Even the 2:17 was quite a workout.

jyoteen

You know, the back end twitches like it has an itch....suspension fully loaded. I try to add a teeeny wee bit of power and the car just plows, so I guess I'm at the maximum speed for holding the line for that particular turn.

I guess alignment may help, but that means those adjustable links.

jyoteen

That, or I still need to modify my line, or adjust the turn in point.

jyoteen

I know, I know. I guess I want a car with a larger circle! :-)

BenM@University Audi

I like my 19mm neuspeed bar quite a lot. But honestly understeer isn't BAD, it's just safe.

jyoteen

It's very agonizing when I can't even keep up with a Spec Miata on a sweeper. Damn those things.

leslie

You're probably giving up 1000 pounds easily on a spec miata, I'm not exactly surprised... Look at the bright side, at least you don't have a tip too. :P Sooo, how much do those targas weigh? Finally saw one last week, not bad.

jyoteen

3200 lbs (according to Porsche). I'm starting to think that anything over 3K lbs is too much.

Corey S

...or any other turns. In Bryon's Miata, with at most 105hp at the rear wheels, we were turning mid 2:14's by the end of Saturday.

Yes, that 1700lb weight advantage is pretty darn huge! About that power-on oversteer, call Paul@Stasis about getting a different center diff for the car, it works surprisingly well.

jyoteen

knowing about the seemingly gigantic weight penalty the S4 brings with it. Just curious.

BTW, It was fun chasing Sharon and watching her drive. Some very interesting lines through 4, and I think she could have gone flat out on 8 (I heard her lift just a tad). She still had about 3-4 feet at the exit.

I know, that the wagon ain't no racecar, but it was depressing to see the tiny car move away in front of me :-( through the turns.

Maybe, next time I'll bring that VW!