Scoobies tend to understeer near the limit. So the front end will begin to lose grip and drift. Going round a round about I doubt that you could get enough speed up to get the car to understeer.
If you lift of suddenly then it will oversteer. (backend will snap out) especially if it is greasy.

Best wishes
Steve


[Edited by Steve Whitehorn - 6/1/2003 7:30:38 PM]

 

Your idea of finding an old airfield is the best thing to do Akshay, if you dont yet know the limit of the car,maybe best not to try to find it on a roundabout. Most cars have their individual limits of adhesion because it is dependent on so many factors,they will also have a different way of showing it, I mean for same make cars too.

Enjoy finding it for yours

Les

[Edited by Leslie - 6/2/2003 11:16:56 AM]

 

Banshi, point taken - I fully agree.

The roundabout in question is Dunstable - no other cars, full view and no houses (its an industrial estate). I just went round and around waiting for a bit of slip. I wouldn't dare enter the roundabout at silly speeds.

[Edited by akshay67 - 6/2/2003 1:58:48 PM]

 

Sorry for going off on one guys, now regained composure

A simple case of emotion suppressing reason. An event suddenly dredged out with surprising clarity by the remaining few functioning brain cells.

No direct criticism was meant Ash.

In fact having been known to be hooning through Ashridge Management Centre in the wee small hours and a little exuberant around that very location myself. A few Practice What Ya Preach comments would be in order.

Theo, you're right, as usual Use of the MIRA finished after a couple of incidents. The latter being someone on the Wetter the Better Circuit who climbed the banking and joined the adjacent test track

[Edited by banshi - 6/2/2003 3:54:36 PM]

 

I wasn't there either!
But my wife's course was cancelled. Reported by Don that due to these incidents, the first was a collision that caused minor panel damange. A Risk Assessment by MIRA meant their facilities could no longer be used for WtB training.

Theo my "little" friend, it will a day for celebration when we accept the other party has made a credible contribution

[Edited by banshi - 6/2/2003 5:32:36 PM]

 

;}

Edit as I cant even wink (yep I think that's the word) anymore

[Edited by banshi - 6/3/2003 12:40:09 AM]

 

I find this big roundabout and drive around it, faster and faster. The car is still gripping but I refuse to give it more.

How do I know its at the limit? Do the tyres start screeching? does the backend start to slide? What should I look out for?

 

cold sweat and bottle falls over

 

rather than try it on a roundabout, take it to an open space like a car park and go round and round till it goes - you'll know when it does

Turbo tends to push the car outward to the direction you want - so its a balancing act really.

 

You will get a warm sticky feeling in your pants

 

When you're pointing in the direction you came from.

 

when the pilot nods at you as u fly over head

 

When you are already sideways before turning in ?!

If you weren't sure if you lost it, then when you look back at the roundabout and see 2 tracks in the grass across the middle - you know to go in slower next time ?!

Stan

 

Generally, you're approaching the limit once a small amount of throttle change alters the line - i.e. more throttle gives understeer, less gives oversteer. There's no substitute for gaining a feel for it somewhere where there is space to do it safely, and knowing what to do to stop yourself from crashing when it happens. Could always try an airfield day.

The way you know you've actually lost it is when you can only see hedge out of both side windows.

 

Some predictable replies

Sounds like I ought to find an airfield somewhere...Is it possible to flip the car upside down on an airfield?

 

Not unless you're on slicks or hit a kerb

 

I think you could do it with 6 strong mates, or a forklift

 

Fuel Surge

 

?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?

Go in too fast and the car will understeer. Potentially terminally

Slow in, fast out. Repeat ad nauseum. Being on the limit on a roundabout is fun (for me, not the wife) but doesn't allow you any margin of error for the dosy ******* in the knackered old car that teeters out in front of you... Also, get caught on the limit and you will face a charge of reckless driving/dangerous driving if you get it wrong.

Slow in, fast out. What I do is get it turned in slowly, and after being nearly caught out by a sudden change from decent tarmac to crap stuff on a roundabout there's no crime in being a little more cautious - lorries spill diesel on roundabouts too... then give it some stick as soon as you're through the initial corner. You'll feel the car's grip move under you, and bear in mind the throttle isn't just "on/off". Try to be smooth with inputs, and build up to limits rather than the other way around - although on a track I did just the opposite due to enthusiasm, especially as it was Subaru UK's car that I was in

I don't know how to drive well, but I know what works for me...

Have fun, and remember to allow for any possible idiotic motion from other road users (including the as yet other chap in the Impreza about to dart uncontrollably from another entry and lose it on the roundabout ) . the more improbable their actions, the more likely it is that they'll do it in reality

Nick.

 

Haven't had one of those jokes in a while

The car will slide around when you get to the limits! I'm amazed you've not been there because the limits of a scooby on a roundabout arn't particularly high in my opinion - you must have ££££'s rubber and susepension ?

 

Soz - I couldnt belive it got to 11 posts without someone else jumping in

Personally I prefer playing at the limit in my old MG Midget - for a start I can get to the limit without approaching speed limits and the rubber is cheaper

Deano

 

My mate has an MG, lots of character. Its also faster 0-30mph in the snow than the scooby. The scooby might have 4wd but it also has fat tyres - the MG bits down and goes for it - a bit sideways of course It also gets more attention from the ladies

 

When you see the yellow dye on your seat !

 

There's a roundabout near where I live that has great visability all round so you can have a bit of fun especially in the wet. The way I do it is to build up the speed until I feel the car start to understeer, at that point I lift off very slightly and then balance the car by the use of the steering and loud peddle. I can have the car almost facing into the centre of the roundabout while still maintaining control. Great fun for me and scary for any passengers. I've never lost it yet but I'm sure I will one day. You've just got to make sure there isn't anyone else on the road at the time. I practised this technique in a deserted car park before trying it on the road.

 

Have to agree with others the front end starts to wash out but even so they still








































Corner well

 

Well, maybe I have taken it to the limit, but just dont know.

With my sisters XR2i I always take it to the limit - to the point where you hear the wheels screeching.

In the Impreza I just feel so dug into the seat that I can't even sit straight! I guess as someone pointed out, I didnt want to push it beyond the room for error, which is very small and end up facing the wrong way...

I think the runway (read large empty company carpark) will have to be done!

 

Been there bought the tee shirt and lived to tell the tale so I'm going to get all self righteous here!

Years before the scoob we used to do this regularly on the way home in the early hours. Each time approach faster/brake later and jink through (it was more a mini-roundabout with kerbs than a proper island) getting more of a fright/buzz as speed increased.

The inevitable happened, fortunately it was a M8s car. Clipped the curb on exiting - driver dishcharged from A&E, two passengers admitted - still vividly remember lying in casualty with blood pouring from my ears convinced I would be dead or at best a dribbling invalid

Driver was traumatised & wouldn't see or speak to me for months. G/f was a nurse and wanted me transferred to a specialist unit, and a year later parents were still worried that I'd suffer a relapse.

Do please take notice of this stupidity, I know it's difficult but play somewhere safe

 

Oh and just for added impact, before the why do you have a performance car posse get on my case.

We ended landed in the garden of a large detached house. The owners came out to help but as I was unconcious and crushed between the rear and passanger seat they didn't find me until the driver asked where I was.

I was told they took me in to bleed all over their kitchen floor. Having telephoned to thank them when I left hospital I went back to see them with an armsfull of chocolates and flowers.

Their six year old daughter opened the door and ran away screaming. She was woken by the commotion that night, came down to see what was happening and had still had nightmares.

Thinking of this incident years later I still have tears in my eyes. Maybe I should copy this into the next I've just raced a ....... thread thereagain it will probably get the "but I can control my car response"

Really wish I'd not replyed now

 

Why ? It's still good advice, how ever much ignored it will be by most

 

Good advice, someone might learn from it