I think the problem stems from a different type of oversteer than what you're describing. I think the tailhappy-ness that is getting certain folks into trouble is sudden deceleration while turning. Try going into a corner, hard, at high RPMs and right before the apex let off the gas 100%. Yep, stupid thing to do, but I think that is what is causing the problem for so many people.

 

One of the nice things about the S2000 is you can vary the handling characteristics with the setup. I get a lot of "snap" with the Hankook tires, but I tolerate that because it does not snap with the Kumhos. Your sway bar and shock settings can affect this also.

Hey, RedMX5, was that the PCA autocross in Macon in your video?

 

TRD, I do believe you missed the point of RED's post...

RED_MX5, out of curiousity, what tires were you running? OEM S02's?

In recent autocrosses (using Kumho MXs), I think I may have experienced that before, but I don't have a video cam setup, so I can't directly compare. If I am remembering the sensation and reaction correctly though, I agree with your observation. Typically (just out of habit), I'll try reducing the steering input a bit, a small bit, as well as reducing the throttle input just a little.

I've never run on S02's so I don't know their handling characteristics, so I'd wonder if the mainstream opinion of the AP1's handling is based on those tires.

Anyway, I'm nowhere near a seasoned autocrossing veteran, so take my opinion with a grain of salt .

 

how so? i read what RED posted but i didn't quote him. i agreed and quoted (djdorifto) about how there are some S owners that don't know how to drive their cars.

 

^ the big part where he pointed out NOT to attempt to test the cars abilities on the streets.

 

I'm not really sure about the tree you're barking up, but anytime you have used up all the available traction, as when in a steady state corner at the limit, anything you do that requires more traction is going to cause a slide. However, if you ask for more grip smoothly, you'll sense the loss of traction before it gets out of hand. Hahaha, well, *most of the time*.

If you take a look at the animated gif in my signature, you'll see that the same thing works when it's all slide and no acceleration; Simply modulating the throttle (and countersteering) gets the car to stop rotating.

Whether or not you can catch any given slide depends to a very large extent on how soon you catch it. You've got to recognize your mistake soon enough, and correct quickly and accuratelly enough, regardless of the cause.

The S2000 doesn't really exhibit "snap oversteer" as such, but it can snap the tail out very quickly under the right (or wrong ) conditions, and it can catch anyone off guard. In such cases, I think luck matters more than skill or practice.

 

I think there is much truth in what you say, and what you say is a part of what I would like everyone to understand. If I had panicked when the back end started to slide, and yanked my foot off the gas, either entirely or just too much, what do you think would have happened? I assure you, the car would have spun, almost instantly. When the back end steps out you have to do what you see in the video, and *modulate* the throttle, rather than just getting off the gas in a panic.

People do that (panic and let go of the gas) quite a lot, but it's not really stupid. It's just a natural reaction when you realize that you're about to spin. Problem is, the natural reaction is the WRONG reaction.

Does that make more sense to ya?

 

Yea.

Great event. One of the most challenging courses I can recall.

 

[QUOTE=s98d7fs,Apr 2 2008, 07:36 PM]RED_MX5, out of curiousity, what tires were you running?

 

I find the S2000 to be predictable, just gotta respect it and it won't fail you.