| nostatic |
09-27-2009 06:38 PM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by TimT
(Post 4922044)
So how did the WRX feel?
I have an '08 WRX sedan..been thinking about doing a DE with it... my 911, and 914/6 are tied up now...
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It was interesting. I ended up running in the red group as there were only 5 cars total in the group. It took a few sessions to figure out the handling, and sadly I misread the owners manual and didn't think I could turn the VDC (TC) off.
It didn't understeer nearly as bad as I thought it would (and as I've seen Evos do). I think the extra weight in the rear from the hatch helps rotate the car. It is very quick coming out of turns and on straights. I drove in about the same gears as the 911 on that track so as I got used to the feel of the car soon I was bouncing off the rev limiter and the VDC was kicking in at a number of places on the course. I wish I'd figured out where the "off" switch was, as it was pretty intrusive in some rough off-camber sections.
This layout had one new (shorter) turn and is a little quicker than the old route. The current track record for my old class in this config is 1:28 and change. I still have the track record for the old config at 1:31. By my third session I was down to 1:35 and that is bone stock. I bailed after that as it was wicked hot, but figure that if I had VDC off and was a bit more aggressive in a couple sections a 1:33 could be had.
Downside are the stock brakes. The factory pads and fluid is not really up to the task of a track with 100F ambient temps. A couple times at the end of the front straight I went for the pedal and it really wasn't there. As a result I was very careful to brake early and control my speed at the end of both straights.
But as you can see in the photo, it doesn't wallow too badly. Some better pads, a little stiffer sway bar, and it's perfectly competent.
Very fun car. And I drove home with comfy AC.
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