So I was reading about LFB in AWD cars in the other thread, I was wondering how beneficial this could be with FWD cars. And if it is beneficial, how and when should it be used? I autocrossed for the first time last season and I didnt even think about LFB til the end of the season. Can anyone give me any info on this? thx!

 

Just try it out next time you get to do fun runs... It's something that can't be taught really, just have to try it out when it's safe.

 

Ive tried it a few times, and it just feels to foreign to me, but it's probably something I should learn. Many instructors favor LFB in autocross, stating better reaction time and control. But I'm not willing to waste my 3 runs trying to figure it out, so I'll be waiting until the next school to learn it. Very useful from what I hear, though.

 

ok cool i guess i just have to teach myself. i usually get more than 6 runs each time i go autocrossing so i can use a couple runs to practice LFB.

but let me just go over the basics of LFB..it's to induce oversteer correct? where else can it be useful?

 

Basically rally drivers use it to shorten reaction time and allow more precise brake/gas balance. In a FWD car, it'll increase the weight over the front wheels and reduce understeer.

 

any tips on LFB? like always think about the balance of the car or something? im obviously a noob at this, i wanna know everything from the basics to the technical stuff. thx

 

well...it doesnt take as much breaking as you think to slow you down and over steer alittle...especially in our cars (they love to fishtail) Also when you apply the brake, do it slow and steady and rember that you can control the car by comming off of the throttle alittle also while doing this technique. Basicly go out in a gravle parking lot or the ice or somthing set up some cones and practice. IT helps you allot.

 

Most people tell me it's for reaction time. You could use it to induce oversteer, although trail braking seems to be a more effective form (which can be done with or without LFB). If I have it correctly, trail braking is braking while you start steering into a corner, which breaks the rear wheels loose. I accidentally did that (decided I was going in too fast and tapped the brake while steering) at my last race and spun off course. Someone correct me if I have the wrong definition.

 

The reaction time helps in autocross, but it really aids in rotation and balancing the car. You don't want to lock the rears to slide the car as much as create drag and induce rotation. I don't use it often, but it seems to help on long sweeping corners when understeer rears it's ugly head on my stock OZ.

On most autocross courses, after the shift to 2nd gear, just move your foot to the brake and never let off completely. It takes practice learning to threshold brake with your left foot though and it can be disconcerting at first.

Try it in an empty lot and see if you can get the hang of it. Also try turning to see the difference in vehicle dynamics. Don't let off the accelerator completely or at all and see the difference.

Jason

 

In fact, the effect of LFB is more pronotunced in a FWD car than AWD. Think about it: in a regular Lancer, all your power goes to the front wheels, right? So if you brake lightly while you're on the gas, you can easily overcome the braking force at the front wheels. But think about what happens at the rear wheels. There's no drive back there, so all of your braking force to the rear goes towards stopping the rear tires.

So, by left-foot braking in a FWD car it's almost as if you're shifting the brake bias to the rear. It's just like throwing the handbrake, but much more refined. You have lots more control over the rear by LFB than just yanking the handbake.

The trick is to not use too much brakes. You're not trying to slow down the car...the idea is just to load up the front wheels a little and loosen the rear wheels a little. It's great for making small, subtle corrections to your cornering line or fighting understeer without scrubbing too much speed.

Emre

 

great replies guys, thx for the info!! cant wait til the snow clears up and it's time for me to go autocrossing

 

go practice lfb in the snow....its best used in abnormal driving conditions./