Oh boy this should stir up some ****! Okay, it seems like all the GT2, GT3 and Ferrari CS boys act as if AWD is not good on the track. However, it seems to me that coming out of the corners the AWD helps pull the car out of the corner. And the AWD helps get the power to the ground.

I seem to remember back in the day the Audi camp was running AWD race cars that were banned because they were kicking some serious ***.

Please correct me if I am wrong. Now I do know that the lighter the car the better at the track, that much I can agree on.

Let the flaming begin!

 

If we're talking slick tires, the slight advantage AWD gives you does not balance with the extra weight (acc., braking, tire wear ... etc).
A properly setup RWD (especially a porsche, with its rear engine!) will be quicker than an AWD.
If it starts raining, though ... AWD all the way!
2 years ago, we raced a 993TT in the Motorola Cup, and the first thing to go was the AWD. For those few wet races, the advantage on dry courses was worth it. But there again, it was only a 500hp car.

If you bring your 750hp+ car on street tires to a track ... yeah, AWD will probably help put those hp to the ground (especially considering they may not be 750 gentle ponies...)

Just my opinion of the dilemma ...

 

Yeah, last year when the car was putting out "only" 600 ponies I did a track event and it was raining. Well guess who had fastest time of the day. Against even full out race prepped 911's. Yes it was me, that is the beauty of AWD you don't loose much in the wet!

 

To me, the Porsche AWD system acts more like a RWD with the added benefit of helping with traction due to high horsepower. Other AWD systems where the power is normally more towards 50/50 front/rear feels totally different at the track.

The 50/50 type systems let you get on the power earlier in the turns and if too much power is applied, then understeer occurs. Unlike a RWD, when power is applied too much or too soon, oversteer can occur.

A great driver can probably drive a RWD car as fast or faster (which we see all the time - Walter Rohl, etc.) because of the weight advantage more than anything. Although, when racing, weather conditions, panic situations and what not sure make AWD a great safety net.

For some, RWD is more fun because they like to have the ability to have the rear end hang out. For others, fun is having the car bite and crab through a turn with AWD. Everyone gets pleasure out of something different in driving. To me, that's what makes getting together with your buddys at the track so much fun.

 

the truth is buddy, the AWD makes the car feel heavier and more numb to me. as well, throttle steering is not nearly as pure since the computer does the power allocation to the front for you.

 

This is an interesting topic and I would like to see some healthy debate about it. I just cannot get over the dominance of the RS6's in the speed gt world challenge. They embarass everything out there even with ridiculous ~200lb weight penalties being given to them.

If the goal is to win races, which is better? forget anything subjective, just winning races.

 

few if any of us are out to win races. rather, the subjective (emotions, fun, etc) is a more practical thing to be interested in. as well, the 996TT has a 400 lb penalty over more driver oriented sports cars. lastly, most of us here can find more challenge in reducing track times in a RWD car than in an AWD and skill grows as a result. AWD = training wheels.

 

I understand your comments because, well, I share that view. That said, I would still be interested in which set up people believe is best for winning races. I have on occasion considered building or buying a car for a touring car series, and would enjoy hearing peoples views.

Care to try to answer my question?

 

I'm gonna agree with Ben on this one - the 996tt is really more of a grand tourer than a pure sports car (don't read into that too much, but at 3500 pounds, it's somewhat true). Even though an S2000 will have about a third of the torque of my car, I actually think I'll have more fun driving it when I get it. The Quattro system does not allow ANY deviations in throttle driving. The way to get the rear out is to let off in the middle of a turn. Power on results in the front pushing. It's very safe, but gets old after a while.

Like some people mentioned, in the rain it has huge advantages. Also, from a stop light it'll tear anything apart up to a certain speed, but again, this gets old.

I think the Turbo AWD system is interesting, as it has more of a 4:1 bias. Now, an Audi with Stasis 4:1 center diff and LSD is an interesting car

 

AWD allows the car to be taken to another delta in handling that almost all other 2wd can only dream about. Yes, the cars handle different. The only place that has been proven to me, where a 2wd excells is on slow, very tight turns, when it is dry. In this situation, 2wd has the advantage.

I do need to preface the above by saying, the above does not hold true if you don't defeat the Posche PSM throttle body shutdown feature.

As for the weight, the awd doesn't really add that much weight. The manageable power gain more than off sets the weight in my opinion. If anything it helps the car get closer to a 50/50 weight distribution.

Addressing, this lack of sensation. Simply what people are describing is the feeling of driving close to the edge. When the 2wd vehicle is approaching the edge, the awd vehicle is "boring" simply because it makes the same turn feel well "safe." Take the awd car to the edge and I guarantee it will be anything but boring.

Buddy,

I have to agree with you, except KA's TTD's were versus 2wd's on dry tracks. To watch the looks on the faces of the 2wd owners was priceless. It was like they were saying ......... don't you know you are not suppose to be doing what you are doing. This can't be possible.

 

rwd is more fun and offers a greater driving challenge. Some folks like their sportcars that way, others don't...

 

Training wheels! Okay, now I know for some people AWD is a safety factor. For me that is not the case. I have driven in the Skip Barber Formula Dodge Series and the ASA Stock Car Series. Both rear drive race cars that require real driving skill. I don't need no stinking training wheels.

I just like the tt overall and as I have said before if I had the money I would have another GT2, GT3 or CS in my garage.

Ben don't categorize everyone into needing training wheels because they drive a tt.

 

While I'm not familiar with the series at all (I just know it exists ...), one thing is a given, a car isn't just its drivetrain. The RS6 is AWD, but perhaps its engine or handling characteristics make the difference.

If you want to win races, get a good driver.



Another aspect is the engineering side of it. The TT was designed to be an AWD ... I wouldn't be sure it would handle as great as it does if someone were just to rip the front drivetrain off ...
Unless you're ready to re-engineer to suspension of the car ... oh wait, you could get a GT2 instead

 

You want a manly rwd challenge to test your driving skills? Buy a Viper.

 

When is that beast going to be done?