Power to the Wheels

[UKbob]

When you put your foot down, and feel the back end 'sliding' as the wheels spin from 0-30, how dangerous is this? Im refering to loosing control, on the straights, and 1st gear.

Saw a video of a cerbera once (I was supposed to be in the passenger seat as it happened, but wasnt) do a 0-30 rip, and just spin out (I think this happened due to weight-shift as the driver came off the gas, and simultaneously turned a wee bit to the right... it just induced a spin.

I think I understand what happened dynamically, but wanted opinions on how easy/safe/dangours/catch-you-unawares 0-30 in first or 30-60 in second burnouts were in, say, a V8S or rear wheel driven TVR.

Im not a very expereinced driver, just curious for feedback. Ive only ever heard tailout stories on corners, but only ever seen a tailout on a straight (in a video admitedly) ... which has been on my mind since I bought my TIV.

[GreenV8S]

The danger with rear wheel drive comes when the driver doesn't know what to do or simply doesn't do it in the heat of the moment. Things get quite challenging when the car is moving at speed, when the car is cornering, and when the roads are slippery. And it gets a *lot* harder if you start getting combinations of these. However, wheelspin in a straight line in the dry is just about the easiest situation to control and if you have the faintest idea how to apply opposite lock and balance the throttle then you should be able to maintain control with the wheels wheels spinning in a straight line in the dry. The main danger IMO is of stones being flicked out by the wheels and hitting someone/thing behind you.

[RUSSELLM]

Shortly after buying mine, I accelerated through the gears into 3rd, a combination of a not perfectly dry road & what I beleive now to be the extra torque boost at 5400 rpm, sent me sideways for a 100 yards.

Thankfully I didn't kill anybody, but it slowed me down to this day.

I'll get some driving tuition in it, when Ewelme have finished with it.

[Corin Denton]

I find keeping the power on and opposite locking does the trick until it stops spinning, if you let the power off too soon it can grip and send you off in the direction you are pointing!.

[powerlord]

UKbob said:

When you put your foot down, and feel the back end 'sliding' as the wheels spin from 0-30, how dangerous is this? Im refering to loosing control, on the straights, and 1st gear. Saw a video of a cerbera once (I was supposed to be in the passenger seat as it happened, but wasnt) do a 0-30 rip, and just spin out (I think this happened due to weight-shift as the driver came off the gas, and simultaneously turned a wee bit to the right... it just induced a spin. I think I understand what happened dynamically, but wanted opinions on how easy/safe/dangours/catch-you-unawares 0-30 in first or 30-60 in second burnouts were in, say, a V8S or rear wheel driven TVR. Im not a very expereinced driver, just curious for feedback. Ive only ever heard tailout stories on corners, but only ever seen a tailout on a straight (in a video admitedly) ... which has been on my mind since I bought my TIV.

the problem is most people see oversteer as some massively difficult dangerous thing and they never experience it.. then they do like above, or because it's wet, or they brake sharply or come of the gas on a corner, etc...

their lack of experience then means they tend to overcorrect, start fish tailing and possibly over correct again.. it then oscillates up and spins the car.

Whereas, understeer most folk are familiar with and needs less skill to handle.

Get yourself onto a big empty carpark (24h supermarkets at night are good) and pravtice... go into a corner too quick.. try lifting off, try putting the power on.. try braking...play with the car.

Apart from putting the power on agressively in corners, the most common type of oversteer most folk experience is when the back comes out by taking the power off quick round a corner (front wheel drive cars will do this too). that and trying to change direction quickly on the brakes (through a corner, or in an emergency avoidance situation).

Think of all the stupid things that could happen on the road, and do them safely in a big field of tarmac.

you don't need a track day or a skid pan to practice the basics of driving.

I would go so far as to say that someone who drives a rear wheel-drive car and is not completely comfortable with oversteer is a danger to themselves and others on the road. imho.

And anyway, it's fun!! get that tail out !!

It's really not that difficult and you'll be doing u turns with a flick of the throttle in no time !!




stu