While trying to research the handling characteristics of the VSS system on the Spyder I came across mostly people asking how to disable it. I thought I would turn it around and give some of the reasons I wanted a VSS system.
A few years ago the FIA outlawed active stability systems in formula one racing. The reason was that the laps times had decreased immensely since it's adoption. The nature of accidents on the track changed also. The cars where always driving at the limit of adhesion of the tires at all times on the track. this was the case in braking force, lateral acceleration while turning , and acceleration. When a limit was exceeded the crashes tended to be fast,unrecoverable by a professional driver, and had higher rates of fatality.
This proved that computers where more capable of computing and controlling vehicle dynamics than all but the very best road racers and that could even be debated under most conditions.
If I want to play sprint car I rent a dirt kart or get on a dirt bike. If i want to drive at the limits of adhesion of my tiires, a sports car or SPYDER with an advanced VSS/TCS is the way to go. The system is not the demon it's made out to be. If you reach it's limit you really won't be able to squeeze much more performance out it, Ok perhaps Mr schumacker might be able to, but most mere mortals forget it. Want more lateral accereration go to the Hoosiers site and get yourself a set of DOT approved autocross tires that fit the Spyder (which I am going to do soon) and don't waste them making smoke. I wish VSS worked for a standing start. But I guess we have to maintain throttle discipline somewhere.
BTW If you want to slip the tires with the blessing of the VSS a three wheel drift at a relatively small angle coming out of the apex seems to be allowed if you keep the rear wheel speed under control.
Here is a link to a good article on the history and operation of stability control systems with lots of references,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_stability_control
The limit of control is the place to be, happy motoring and aviod the large metal objects with gray hair.
A few years ago the FIA outlawed active stability systems in formula one racing. The reason was that the laps times had decreased immensely since it's adoption. The nature of accidents on the track changed also. The cars where always driving at the limit of adhesion of the tires at all times on the track. this was the case in braking force, lateral acceleration while turning , and acceleration. When a limit was exceeded the crashes tended to be fast,unrecoverable by a professional driver, and had higher rates of fatality.
This proved that computers where more capable of computing and controlling vehicle dynamics than all but the very best road racers and that could even be debated under most conditions.
If I want to play sprint car I rent a dirt kart or get on a dirt bike. If i want to drive at the limits of adhesion of my tiires, a sports car or SPYDER with an advanced VSS/TCS is the way to go. The system is not the demon it's made out to be. If you reach it's limit you really won't be able to squeeze much more performance out it, Ok perhaps Mr schumacker might be able to, but most mere mortals forget it. Want more lateral accereration go to the Hoosiers site and get yourself a set of DOT approved autocross tires that fit the Spyder (which I am going to do soon) and don't waste them making smoke. I wish VSS worked for a standing start. But I guess we have to maintain throttle discipline somewhere.
BTW If you want to slip the tires with the blessing of the VSS a three wheel drift at a relatively small angle coming out of the apex seems to be allowed if you keep the rear wheel speed under control.
Here is a link to a good article on the history and operation of stability control systems with lots of references,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_stability_control
The limit of control is the place to be, happy motoring and aviod the large metal objects with gray hair.
hyea:
