In regards to understeer.......

[largeorangefont]

Originally Posted by anonymous user

Loren,

I'm actually coming from AWD. My goal in the next few years is to practice FWD first (the yaris), then pick up a RWD vehicle to learn that platform. I was thinking mr-2, lotus elise, or 370 z. We'll see. I'm working on FWD for now.

There is your problem.

You can't drive a FWD or RWD car like an AWD car.

You can't get on the gas to straighten the car out and the car will not turn if you are threashold breaking and start to turn. It sounds like you are overdriving the car into the corners.

Think of a FWD car as only being able to do one thing at a time. It can either go, steer or brake. Near the limit you can only do one of these things at a time. As you get better you will learn how to blend them together.

Do your breaking before the corner, take a smooth line off power to the apex then get back to the gas on corner exit.

A Yaris is a momentum car. If the front or rear tires are sliding you are doing it wrong, and losing time.

[jkuchta]

Originally Posted by largeorangefont

There is your problem.

You can't drive a FWD or RWD car like an AWD car.

You can't get on the gas to straighten the car out and the car will not turn if you are threashold breaking and start to turn. It sounds like you are overdriving the car into the corners.

Think of a FWD car as only being able to do one thing at a time. It can either go, steer or brake. Near the limit you can only do one of these things at a time. As you get better you will learn how to blend them together.

Do your breaking before the corner, take a smooth line off power to the apex then get back to the gas on corner exit.

A Yaris is a momentum car. If the front or rear tires are sliding you are doing it wrong, and losing time.

Actually, the yaris HB on stock suspension responds quite well to trail-braking. With the upgraded rear pads, my little hatch was turning in and taking a set really well at the Roval. Plus, the added weight transfer on the front end provided by the trail-braking allowed for slightly higher entry speeds in the moderate to slower corners (turn 3..right after NASCAR turn 2, that hairpin that leads onto the infield straight under the pedestrian bridge, and the final set of lefts which lead back onto the front tri-oval.....just to name a few).

BEWARE!! Trail-braking can get you into trouble if you do it wrong! Learn how to enter corners fast off the brakes first (like Largeorangefont says!), and then learn how to enter them faster on the brakes.

Also, being smooth getting OFF of the brakes is just as important (maybe even more so) as being smooth getting on the brakes. You can brake harder if the car is settled.

[largeorangefont]

Originally Posted by jkuchta

Actually, the yaris HB on stock suspension responds quite well to trail-braking. With the upgraded rear pads, my little hatch was turning in and taking a set really well at the Roval. Plus, the added weight transfer on the front end provided by the trail-braking allowed for slightly higher entry speeds in the moderate to slower corners (turn 3..right after NASCAR turn 2, that hairpin that leads onto the infield straight under the pedestrian bridge, and the final set of lefts which lead back onto the front tri-oval.....just to name a few).

BEWARE!! Trail-braking can get you into trouble if you do it wrong! Learn how to enter corners fast off the brakes first (like Largeorangefont says!), and then learn how to enter them faster on the brakes.

Also, being smooth getting OFF of the brakes is just as important (maybe even more so) as being smooth getting on the brakes. You can brake harder if the car is settled.

Agreed, and trailbreaking does help the car rotate, but you just can slam the brakes, throw it into the corner and power out like you might be able to with an AWD car.

There is a difference between trail-braking and late-breaking. From the discussions here it sounds like most people are trying to overdrive the car into the corners.

[anonymous user]

Originally Posted by largeorangefont

There is your problem.

You can't drive a FWD or RWD car like an AWD car.

You can't get on the gas to straighten the car out and the car will not turn if you are threashold breaking and start to turn. It sounds like you are overdriving the car into the corners.

Think of a FWD car as only being able to do one thing at a time. It can either go, steer or brake. Near the limit you can only do one of these things at a time. As you get better you will learn how to blend them together.

Do your breaking before the corner, take a smooth line off power to the apex then get back to the gas on corner exit.

A Yaris is a momentum car. If the front or rear tires are sliding you are doing it wrong, and losing time.

I figured just as much. I've been told to drive this thing like a early 90's miata, except this car has no power, so i'll avoid using unnecessary braking.
I've completely smoked the front brakes, and as impressive as it was for spectators, it didn't help my times out much.
We have about a month to go before i can report on the status of out first event of the scca season.
Until tehn, i'll be anxiously awaiting my turn by reading about everyone elses regions.

[largeorangefont]

Originally Posted by anonymous user

I figured just as much. I've been told to drive this thing like a early 90's miata, except this car has no power, so i'll avoid using unnecessary braking.
I've completely smoked the front brakes, and as impressive as it was for spectators, it didn't help my times out much.
We have about a month to go before i can report on the status of out first event of the scca season.
Until tehn, i'll be anxiously awaiting my turn by reading about everyone elses regions.

If you concentrate on keeping up momentum and not sliding the car you will be much faster and easier on equipment.