speaking of cates and gt2s, heres a good dice at an obscure and little known track sometimes referred to as simply "the 'ring"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxwRgSZiKTk
speaking of cates and gt2s, heres a good dice at an obscure and little known track sometimes referred to as simply "the 'ring"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxwRgSZiKTk
Rob
Imagine the skill required for someone to drive the Ring well, and at anywhere close to the limit, in something as small, light and quick as the Caterham. Then, put that car in the hands of a very average untrained driver on the street or highway in the United States.
Puroagave: if your point was that small and light can kick the living **** out of fast, powerful and heavy, you are preaching to the converted as far as I am concerned. My point was that the 'average sports car driver' who is driving on the street, not the track, isn't really looking for that level of driving, and is probably not capable of it since it requires skill, reflexes and a level of training that goes far beyond 'putting your foot down' and aiming.
I must say am lucky that he often drove me in these cars and even ones I went to purchase for myself, and at performance speeds when at limits control was nearly lost (and to show how tricky can be in damp conditions at high speed were lost but recovered).
I can say in the hands of a qualified high performance instructor the 355 is very capable.
My point is that it is not just about mid engine cars and there are some great exceptions such as Caterham (and why I mentioned their better models beyond the earlier Lotus Seven they bought rights to).
Going further, it could be said weight and balance is more critical than engine layout in general (emphasise here), which you rightly mention with Caterham.
That said, as an owner in the past of a Group homologation B rally car (was mid-engined) I appreciate mid-engined.
However there are clear examples of what can be done with front engine designs.
A classic example of an affordable circuit car of the past was the Ford's Sierra Cosworth RS500 that set new standards back in the 80s when 1st brought into the more open championships.
On Top Gears track, a Nissan Skyline is 15th on their car lap time table; ahead of many mid-engined cars, and those ahead of it are very expensive mid-engined cars or very specific like the Ariel Atom and that is only 0.2s faster.
However in comparison to the specific lightweight Ariel Atom, the front engined Caterham R500 is 1.6s faster.
So front engined is still very much a part of high performance sports cars in these modern times.
http://www.topgear.com/uk/track-guid...ype=Power-Laps
In some ways we are arguing about semantics with regards to technical details as we agree on engine-driveshaft /angle of engine/etc.
But one cannot just say in real world motor sports front engine chassis died in the 60s, as we are discussing cars used by us in this thread and not specific F3/F1/Indy/etc, which is also selective in ignoring touring cars championships/modern rallying/etc.
By the context of the post Rupenzell, one would argue that Porsche 911 and its various models should not be classifed as real world sports cars due to the mounting of the engine, weight balance,etc.
Not trying to argue as I appreciate we agree on some of the technical aspects but diverge on the generic performance design scope and meaning of real world motorsport and focus on mid-engine.
And there are enough examples out there IMO.
Thanks
Orb
Anyone have any experience or thoughts on the Audi R8? It has awesome specs, but I would buy it just for looks!
Hey C.,
Go with the standard shift along with the aftermarket chip that releases the underlying power and turns the V10 back into its Italian design, super!
Cheers!
Thanks! Working on the wife!!Originally Posted by ALF
Hi C.,
Here is a hint; tell her that you are finally on the top of the 458 list and there is really great news...there are two available, so you will always have a daily driver.
Cheers!
...FYI C., the second generation R8 is coming right behind the minor facelift for this year's production.
On the otherhand, the 458 is now catching up with demand and a dealer will sell you one at list instead of delivering your car to you with the market premium add-on...
Cheers!
It's the Magico of sports cars.
System link WBF
I've not seen a single picture of an R8 that does justice to how it looks in person.
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