Actually that better describes a mechanical differential, which functions identically in high traction situations (tarmac) as in poor traction situations (snow).

 

i do agree computers are generally more consistent than humans, but in racing almost all electronic assists are the enemy, especially in rallying. DrMerl is correct in his consistent output bnased on inconsistent environment statement. Put incompatible values into a program, it returns the same syntax error every time. Doesnt mean that syntax error is going to get the program to work because it happens the same way everytime, just that its consitent in its uselessness.

 

I have a generalized personal dislike of mechanicals, but that extends all the way to fuel injection (nothing like the sound, feel, and response of a row of webers) and I'll admit some of it isn't entirely logical.

As for ACD and AYC, my beef has always been with AYC, for it's what felt the most artificial through corners. That doesn't mean it didn't work, it simply felt artificial.

Race drivers don't like the AYC and ACD because they are professionals. They know each corner like the back of their hand, and they know exactly when to turn in, at what speed, with which techniques to get through the corner fastest. A purely mechanical system that is 100% consistant is very necessary for their reflexes. Anything that tries to "think" for them will mess them up, basically. You see, the race driver does things *before* they are happening. Any electronic aid does things *after* they have happened. It doesn't matter how fast they react, it's always after, not before.

However, we are not professional race drivers. If I was being paid medium to big bucks to drive every day on somebody else's dosh, I wouldn't be here, and I doubt all of you would either. So we have imperfect reflexes, and we drive on roads that we don't know all that well. We don't ace the apex every time. For that reason the AYC and ACD exists, and it does a fairly good job.

But even if I was faster with AYC, I'd throw it out asap, or get a car where it's an option only (and de-option it), because being faster doesn't outweigh fun to drive for me, and it would be more fun to drive without ayc than with. YMMV.

Cheers,

Paul Hansen

 

lol... Right.

Lets compare an f1 car with active suspension, electronic gearbox and traction control to one without and see which is faster.

Better yet, since you focus on rallying, where would a WRC car be without an electronic gearbox? Do you think a car with a traditional dog box would be faster? No way.

 

Bravo GMat!! You said what I was going to say. WRC cars have more advanced gearboxes than even F-1 cars do. Why do you think WRC cars cost $500,000 each!! It's not just the motor.

In F-1 the drive doesn't have worry too much about the car spinning because of the traction control system. These guys are professional drivers for pete sake. The whole reason they are going faster than the lads did 10 years ago is purely technology. I don't think any modern driver is that much better than those in the past, it is the better equipment, from chassis to tires to gearbox to computers.

Let me end by saying, if the computer aids didn't work, they wouldn't use them. That is the bottom line. I would love to drive a car I didn't have to shift or worry about spinning out, then I could concentrate on DRIVING as fast as I could.

 

If you guys are interested to know the Best Motoring opinion about JDM Evos:
They reckon the best thing ever about the evo vii and viii is the AYC. This is all from a track perspective. The biggest improvement from the 7 to the evo 8 is the super AYC. The latest best motoring even shows how a More powerful non-AYC Advan evo lost to a less powerful AYC Puma evo on the track by like a mile... (the puma started later and kicked the advan by a mile). Personally, my opinion drving the JDM EVo VIII is that like what most of u say, you would utilise it more on the track. But i always believe something, U never use an airbag everyday, but when u do..... U REALLI NEED IT to work.. cos it will save your life.. once or twice i have found myself trying to push too hard on normal roads, thats when u realise the AYC, ACD diffs, stabilizer bars etc are the only thing skeeping your senseless hothead from becoming one with the scenary and horizon. On the track, it realli realli works very well. I can attest to that. On the road, it can make u look like a hero and it might even save your life.

 

I think the main complaint of the guy at rallycars.com was that they do work. It's not a question of whether or not they function properly, it's whether or not they take away from the driver's part in the equation.

The way I read it was that putting electronic gizmos in a car to reduce the significance of driver error is like an open book take home exam.

 

Just to clarify things with Rally cars and computer aids... ALL World Rally Car (WRC) spec entries in the World Rally Championship (WRC as well) have full active differentials... That's 3 active differentials. The name of the game is electronics at the top of the sport. It's all in the software and the differential maps. Engine maps? that's easy for them to deal with comparatively, the real game is how to fine tune the Diff maps for every event. And when the car comes into service they immediately hook them up to a laptop, download data, analyze it and talk to the driver and make adjustments as necessary. Drivers also have different map settings for transits that they select at the end of a stage, for both the differentials and the engine, that are meant to put as little stress on the car to save it for the special stages and also they are more fuel efficient, etc...

In the US, both Subaru and Mitsubishi run Active differentials (not all 3 though) and they often modify them at service halts within an event as well. I am good friends with both Lauchlin, and Mark (although Mark is taking a break from rallying right now) and talked to them extensively about the electronics on their car. Saw it at Quebec this year and Mark showed me all the gizmos they put in there (the electronic diffs are controlled from the co-driver's display).

A good driver is a good driver with or without electronics. But with electronics he can be a faster driver. Some people don't like them, but it is the future in rallying for sure... and likewise in many other forms of motorsports. The biggest reason that today's WRC spec can produce faster cars than the Group B spec could is because of the advance in active differential technology.


Pablo.