Quote:
Originally Posted by Egon
I think the multitude of traction control settings could cause problems with learning the car and improving general driver skill if people are constantly switching between them. Every time you change a setting it's like getting into a different car that you have to learn all over again. I would advise to choose one and stick with it consistently while learning the car, and the least invasive one the better. My personal suggestion, and keep in mind I do not have a 6th Gen 1LE, would be to either leave it all on or all off, with my bias being towards all off. In the case of the 1LE, Sport 1 or Sport 2 sounds best. As you said autocross is a relatively safe environment to learn the car, so why not go all out. You will learn that "oh that makes the car spin out, lets not do that again" rather quickly. (ask me how I know)....
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In the case of our 6th gen 1LE's, Track/Race would be traction Off / stability Off. It will definitely let you feel how the chassis works inherently, though it may not actually be quickest unless you're buttah-smoove. I'm wagering that Track/Sport1 or Track/Sport2 will end up being quickest for most good drivers.
To bring that further, tracking cars without ABS is also an important learning tool to feel what the contact patches are actually doing, and it also trains you to use "the right amount" of brakes, both in initial application and total foot pressure. Jamming the pedal straight into ABS isn't peak braking power, and chances are it's also upsetting the chassis, making corner entry an inconsistent and hairy experience.
Even further, tracking a non-ABS non-TCS non-DSC car in the wet is the ultimate learning experience, as there's variable friction, and zero aids. This is what I've been doing for the past 7 years with the Lotus and Miata, and they've helped me build a more competent skills base to be quicker, more consistently, in varying conditions. As the saying goes, "seat time, seat time, seat time." It also helps tremendously to have eloquent instructors that can articulate where your areas of improvement are. I personally find it helpful to ride with other instructors and race drivers when given the chance. Everyone has their own style but staying fresh with the fundamental techniques of driver posture, hand control, foot control, and eyesight moderation are important.