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+--- Thread: I knew some of you would get a kick out of this... (/showthread.php?tid=3000)
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- ScottyB - 11-01-2005
Evan Wrote:Aero, suspension design, power, and chassis rigidity I really dont see how a fwd platform is inherently better, but Id be interested in what you have to say about that.
those aren't factors that are inherently superior to a different chassis, i think what G meant is that the tweaking of those factors can allow FWD to be competitive against RWD in a racing event where there are limitations to the extent of the modifications to a car.
if anything, i feel that overall the suspension design for most fwd cars is not better in any way than RWD or AWD (not taking into account that FWD is the chosen layout for cars that are designed for cheap, everyday commuting). for packaging reasons the suspension is usually macphersons/beam axle, which is by no means ideal. however this is a generalization so it doesnt take into account manufacturers like Honda, who have (for the most part) excellent suspension designs in their FWD cars.
- .RJ - 11-01-2005
ScottyB Wrote:i think what G meant is that the tweaking of those factors can allow FWD to be competitive against RWD in a racing event
Until the RWD car exploits the same tweaks..... make no mistake about it, simple physics says RWD is a better platform. Racing a FWD is like teaching an elephant how to dance
- G.Irish - 11-01-2005
See, at least Scotty got it...
All things being equal the FWD car is starting out with a disadvantage but every production car short of supercars is an amalgam of compromises. Price, size, amenities, comfort, etc. are all factors that influence the performance of a production car.
So if a given FWD car is better in enough performance areas than a given RWD car, it can overcome its inherit disadvantage. But as horsepower increases it becomes more and more difficult to do that which is why we don't see any factory 400 hp FWD cars.
- Evan - 11-01-2005
oh I get that, but if anything thats reinforcing that FWD is inferior, because it needs a better rules package (or non-drivetrain related advantages) to keep up with a RWD car that doesnt have that.
and in the end, thats why bragging that a FWD car won whatever rulebooked series really doesnt say anything at all, other than about the rulebook and the budget of the race team
- G.Irish - 11-01-2005
Evan Wrote:oh I get that, but if anything thats reinforcing that FWD is inferior, because it needs a better rules package (or non-drivetrain related advantages) to keep up with a RWD car that doesnt have that.
and in the end, thats why bragging that a FWD car won whatever rulebooked series really doesnt say anything at all, other than about the rulebook and the budget of the race team
Eh, not really. It would be different if a Kia Rio was out whooping up on RX-8's, S2000's, and 330's. The fact is that in the case of WC Touring the TSX and the ITR before it were already a match in performance for the 325 in street trim as well.
But you're right, in production based car racing the outcome is largely affected by the rulebook. After that, it depends on how good the team's set up and development skills are, and of course, the driver.
I'm not at all arguing that FWD is not inferior as far as performance goes. Its sole advantages are less weight and better performance on low grip surfaces but other than that RWD is always going to be better.