458 Comes 3rd.... in handling

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma3113Lu4WM

 

This is the same mob that said the Lotus Evora was a worthy winner last year, but now they don't like it.

 

"The steering is just too quick".... Who the F@*# says that about a performance car in a handling contest?

That one line proves they either have no idea what they are talking about or they are biased for some reason.

 

Next they'll be complaining it's "too fast"....

 

I really want to try the 997.2 RS, but I dont think that will much better then the standard 997 GT3.

IMO the 458 is the winner.

 

They explain very clearly why this is a problem. For fast flowing track like Donnington, a very quick steering with little feel can definitely be a problem. It does limit your confidence. I can easily see how RS's slower but much more feelsome rack is a much better fit.

 

The point is that despite much bigger power it managed to shade RS's time by only .4. So no, it was not "too fast".

 

I have only driven my Scud on the track, and not the 458. To compare the Scud to the .2 RS, which I have driven with my PCA club, and owning a 997 GT3, I really feel the Porches are better in the twisties, and the Ferrari in the straights. Mind you I'm just better than a novice, but for finding the line through a very twisty track, the Porsches are easier to drive. Through the apexes, the Porsches come out pointed where I want to go. The Ferraris need more steering input to point straight. I would agree with summary that the 458 is too much car for most, except for the truly accomplished racers. The 997 GT3 still is the most fun to drive IMHO.

 

I think this is an issue of driving style(i.e. slow-in fast-out for Porsches). In general Ferraris are better going in (you can carry more speed in), while Porsche's coming out, thanks to the heavy ass and ability to put power down. I definitely find Ferraris more eager to turn in.

 

Similarly, my feeling is the carrying more speed in results to more steering input coming out to adjust for the rear end feeling light. I have more than many times have the rear end come loose out of a turn in the Scud. The Porsches, slow in fast out, you can feather in more speed coming out with great feedback from the car where the rear end is.

 

I don't quite follow: you have more steering input to offset light rear on exit? How's that work? If the back is stepping out as you put power down, you would counter steer; not feed more steering. I don't quite see what's that have to do with carrying more speed in.

 

The 458 looks mighty good on the track. Let's see what she can do in her GT2-spec in (A)LMS.

 

Steering input does mean in most cases counter steer. "Input" meaning driver participation, as no input would mean the car is more balanced and less driver involvement to steer the car straight. Why would you assume "feed more steering when the rear end is loose"? Seems illogical.

 

I was just clarifying. Either way, it's obviously the case that you have to control the back of th e scud more since it does not have the engine hanging off the back to help with traction. However, that has nothing to do with carrying more speed in or with balance for that matter. Ferraris are definitely better balanced, since mid-engine layout, on balance , helps.

 

Agreed. As I learn to drive better, certain things about the Scud seems to be more obvious to me. As you said, with the Scud you can carry more speed in a turn , but that speed is a challenge if not carried through the turn. My challenge personally is scrubbing off too much speed before exiting a turn, which upsets the balance of the car. As far as mid engined cars being more balanced, in theory this is true, but somehow seat of the pants driving, the Porsche still feels more connected to me.