Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveinTO
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Ya got that right! The driver, seated so far forward, had an extremely decreased feel for what direction the rear end was going in relative to the intended path the driver wanted to take the car down.
Unlike today's rear/mid engined cars, which, through hi-tech tire, suspension and aerodynamics technology, are planted, the Auto Unions raced in the era of drifting, calculated through the seat of the pants, which was conventionally located practically between the rear wheels allowing a feel for what the rear end was doing relative to the intended direction of travel. Move that position forward and, coupled with a higher polar moment of inertia associated with mid-engined cars, that direct connection becomes remote and the car is spinning out of control before the driver has a clue.
That fact was well recognized and, yeah, it took a BIG brass pair!