Gary,

They're not that different; maybe it's in the way I worded it? My style is for a stock [poor brakes] WRX driven in the canyons at moderate speeds allowing a greater margin of error. Because of the stock car's poor brakes I do not trailbrake, this seems like the only real difference I can see...

Driving this way I have little problem with understeer, and more oversteer. Could just be my car, though.

 

I never even considered you might not be talking about the track. My bad.

The stock brakes are fine for trailbraking, as long as you're using a hot enough pad for the application.

I'm surprised you're getting any oversteer out of the car. Are you flicking it to get the *** out?

With all of the racing and testing we've done with this car, we can't get true steady-state or throttle on oversteer out of this chassis.

Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
www.teamSMR.com

 

The stock brakes aren't bad, it's just that under heavy braking the car can become quite unsettled.

My WRX is the wagon, it has an extra degree of front negative camber from stock. I hear the wagon has less of a tendency to understeer because of the better weight distribution and slightly different rear swaybar.

I don't actually need to flick it to get the tail out to where I want it. As you said, it will not oversteer under power, but I use this flaw to take the WRX into corners a little hotter than normal because it is so easy to rotate then catch with throttle.

I'm thinking with some of your company's suspension upgrades the wagon has incredible potential...

 

Like you stole it!
:banana:

As far as properly driving there are correct techniques but each person has his own style. Talk to people get advice from others and most of all figure out what works for you and get time behind the wheel.

 

A lot of good info on driving styles.

I would have to say, like others have also said, slow in = fast out. Small movements/steering imputs. Easy on the brakes or brake early then accelerate through the turn, being easy on the throttle, at the apex you should be getting close to WOT and 'looking ahead for the next turn' (which I've found very hard to do at high speeds).

I think someone said a light throttle lift/and then back on the gas before the turn is also ok depending on the type of corner. This can settle the car with out scrubbing off a lot of speed and set you up nice for the next turn on your exit. This is more track related info I guess.

I have my wagon set up to be pretty neutral. So when doing spirited mountain road runs the car just grips as long as you stay and on the gas and aren’t driving past your limits. No over-steer or under-steer, just grip. If you start to rotate, which can happen at higher speeds, you can give smooth/light throttle input to correct.

Hope all that makes some since. The best thing, like another person said, is to go to a track event and get instruction and some seat time. That way you can better understand how your car handles (especially at the limits). That way you know what not to do on the street. Auto-x is also great for learning car control, but I’ve still not tried it.

My wagon is pretty heavily upgraded with suspension components and it’s a very drivable set up.