I prefer RWD. The Maxima was the only FWD I've ever owned. Everything else has been RWD sportscars (and I doubt I'll be getting any FWD soon).

If you loose control on an RWD, you stay on the gas. Letting off and hitting the brakes will cause instant oversteer. You've got your info mixed up.

 

I prefer RWD for handling purposes, having a RWD car swing out is alot more controllable than with a FWD car, all personal opinion, its all what I'm used to. And the Maxima a great handling car? my Maxima, maybe its just what I'm running on it but it is just quirky, I dont feel comfortable driving it fast on very curvy roads, hitting a bumps in the middle of the turn upsets my cars composure majorly, the other cars I drove like this didnt (Nissan 240SX, BMW M3) I dont like the way the Maxima handles simple as that, now done properly a Maxima can definitely out handle a stock M3, but for me I think the M3 is much easier controlled and just nuetral, just a simply beautiful setup

 

Unfortunately, nothing. I can't bring myself to do that to my own personal driver, and I don't have enough money to have a race car to play with at this point. We do have our own test track where I work - and I'm fortunate enough to have driven most everything on it

I can usually be found crewing for a guy with an ERA 427 Cobra http://www.comscc.com/gallery/glen0701/pointbyone.jpg . He usually runs with COMSCC in Street Prepared A class - #83. Last July he was able to get fast time of the day up at the Glen http://www.ultranet.com/~comscc/results/wgi_0701.htm . He's also got fast times at NHIS on numerous occasions (big hp makes a difference down that front stretch), but Limerock is mostly where we run. It's more difficult to get a handle on Limerock - handling can easily get the better of hp at a track like that - those Porsches are tough there. Before that I used to crew for my boss who had a SCCA Class SSB Acura Integra. This guy was so smooth it looked like he was going slow, but he would always turn up the fastest times. However, that car met an unfortunate demise at the Glen

 

Smaller wheelbase. That kind of handling comparison is expected.

DW

 

Yeah, but what kind of driver was the M3 driver?? It's just like Vette's and Vipers. The people I see driving them probably don't explore a 10th of their car's potential. Same with the M3. Actually, even the Maxima. I was on the Sprain the other day, and I Saw a 5th gen come up on me fast. I was like, OK, it's ON. We go at it, but that guy was a wuss. Every time we approached a curve he chickened out. Maybe his SE was stock and I had the benefit of the RSB and H&Rs. Anyways, he gives up and just hangs behind me around 7 cars back.

The real question is, if Sprintmax driving a Max raced Sprintmax driving an M3 on the Merritt, who would win?

DW

 

This won't work in the snow when traction loss is experienced at all four wheels.

 

That is correct!

 

I believe the correct answer is the Police officer who ticked Sprintmax and Sprintmax would win.

Stereodude

 

From what I've heard, it looks like the Police would have to radio ahead to catch him. Sorry SprintMax, Motorola would win this one

If the police weren't involved, I think SprintMax would win

DW

 

You can buy a 90-91 Miata for under $4000 and race in showroom stock. Parts are dirt cheap for the Miata if you decide to move up to street prepared (C class) and maintenance is cheap, too. Plus, 30 mpg helps

 

Yeah, I agree about Limerock, it can be tricky. The first date of the season for us is April 2. I can't wait.

Phuong had a good idea about a cheap car and setting it up for the track. As for me, I haven't broken anything on my car yet, I just **** through tires and brakes. It's too much fun to do without.

 

Well, I'm 6'4" so that would be a tight fit...

Reminds me a death at Limerock a couple years ago. A guy in his 40s realizing a lifelong dream. He took the Skip Barber racing school and ended up in a Formula Dodge - turns out he was a tall guy and his helmet kind of protruded higher up than the roll bar. Not a good thing when the car went over. I've always been an open wheel fan, but it's quite another matter if I had the opportunity to drive one.

I think I would take the same approach and do a Maxima or SE-R if I had the chance. Or some kind of ponycar. Hell, you can have fun in just about anything at the track.

Speaking of brakes, I was doing a stint as a corner flag worker at NHIS when a late model Volvo went by with it's wheels on FIRE. He was running the stock pads - black flag that guy!

 

colin causing problems again?

<~~~~need those numbers colin.

 

yeah, yeah I know - nag...

 

Ok - there's a big difference between street feel and 100% on the limit handling. I don't mind FWD on the street, understeer is comfortable but for ultimate handling - I road raced for 15 years in the Northeast (bumpy tracks) I started with RWD ( Datsun 1200) then Toyota Corolla RWD and decided to learn FWD so I got a FIAT Strada, then Mazda 323, finally got back to RWD (much more fun) Mazda Rx7. Also had seat time in Rabbit, Civic, BMW's, Mustang GT and Formula Ford. Hated open wheel/cockpit, loved mid engine. All the rest were prepared "street cars". Ultimately, RWD will be faster (this is why BTCC and ETCC give RWD a weight penalty), FWD and RWD require different lines, and general technique. The goal in setting up a FWD car properly is to make it feel like RWD. That said, ultimate speed is a function of the particular car and its particular combination of power, weight, gear ratios, suspension, aerodynamacis etc. The BMW's were such a nice combination I was swearing to buy one every time I got out of one - but - I have a Max because it's a better compromise of price/performance.