AWD works better on loose surfaces, such as those the WRC run on. In that arena, it's tough to beat. However, I do recall a young Sebastien Loeb causing a stir in the rally community when he beat all the AWD WRC cars in a FWD Formula 1600...It's not necessarily the ideal setup, and like FWD the format does have inherent understeer - although, like FWD, this can be compensated for to a certain extent with chassis setup.
As with so much else, it's the implementation that makes a bigger difference than the fundamental design. All else being equal, it's easiest to get good handling out of a front-engine, rear-drive setup. Keith -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] on behalf of Bryan Wyatt Sent: Wed 10/8/2008 6:13 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Bucket list There're plenty of "right wheel drive cars" that fit that description as well. FWD is just a different layout with its own set of advantages and disadvantages--some of which make it markedly inferior for several forms of motorsport (drag racing, for example). If we really wanted to be snobby about it, AWD is even better than either of the other options (at least if results from the WRC in the 80's is to be believed). I don't see anyone trumpetting its virtues...of course, it could just be because this is a Miata list and we all want to feel we drive the fastest car imaginable (even though we know it's not)... -Bryan --- On Wed, 10/8/08, Larry Alster <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: From: Larry Alster <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: Bucket list To: "'Eric McCord'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [email protected] Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2008, 6:11 AM They're still wrong wheel drive, I just don't like a car that you have to lift in the middle of the corner to get it to rotate an finish the turn! Larry White Knight 1991 Crystal White #99 CSP Silver Bullet 1992 Silverstone #17 SM2 FM I+ Turbo Honey B 1992 Sunburst Yellow #99 SM2L JR Supercharger Whooosh 2004 Titanium Mazdaspeed MX-5 LowCountry Miata http://www.lowcountrymiataclub.net Masters Miata RAGS 074 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Eric McCord Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 1:16 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: Bucket list Just my Super Uber Humble Opinion..................not that means a rats ass in the grand scheme of things. Eric On Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 12:21 AM, Bryan Wyatt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: The folks that designed the last Lotus Elan would probably disagree. FWIW, the Sirocco/Corrado was also a fierce package. Let's not forget ye olde ITR...or all the Civics that owned STS2 until Andy Hollis threw a ton of money and experience at a Miata ;-) -Bryan --- On Wed, 10/8/08, Eric McCord <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: From: Eric McCord <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: Bucket list To: "Matt Goertz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: [email protected] Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2008, 12:16 AM Fast is great but, I can't bring myself to calling a FWD car a "Sports Car". Going fast with torque steer is just not very refined. _______________________________________________ Miatapower mailing list [email protected] http://list.miatapower.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/miatapower
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