How to Decide On Your Very First Race Car (Part 5)
Now that four wheel drive and differentials are out of the way, it’s time to take a look at arguably the best wheel drive design for auto racing cars: all wheel drive.
Although all wheel drive is similar to four wheel drive, there are key differences. It does not mean four wheel drive, since it can engage either the front wheels or rear wheels. It is essentially a “best wheel drive” system, since it is more of a thinking
system.
Instead of directing power to the wheel that has less traction, an all wheel drive system will direct power to the wheel that has the
most traction. Although this is not the best for off-roading, it is a great advantage to have in autocross or normal everyday driving. Because of the ability to put power where there is more traction, you get maximum road grip at all times. Instead
of sending power to the front and rear axle at the same time, it will provide power to the front wheels if they have more grip, to the rear wheels if they have the best traction, or even a combination of both.
For example, if one is going around a right turn. The left wheels will have the most traction since the center of gravity shifts to the left when going right. The intelligent all wheel drive system will transfer more power to the left wheels while reducing
power in the right wheels to allow you to get around a turn much quicker and safer.
Also, all wheel drives do not allow you to select hi or low settings for the four wheel drive. A typical off-roader allows you to select 4HI or 4LO. In 4LO, you get a lower top speed, but more torque and power to all four wheels. This is essentially best
for driving up hill or over rough terrain.
Teaming all wheel drive with electronic stability control improves the safety and performance of a vehicle. The electronic stability control is a computerized technology that applies the brakes on a wheel that is slipping instead of producing more power
for that particular wheel. The application of the brakes helps to steer the car where the driver wants it to go. Some electronic stability control systems also decrease engine power until control is reestablished. However, many racers prefer not to use stability
control because they prefer to let the vehicle slide a bit, or use traction control to assist their driving.
Another system that allows better control and safety in auto racing is a traction control system, also sometimes called Anti-Slip Regulation. Traction control, along with anti-lock brakes, is made to prevent traction loss on the road. A traction control
system can intervene in one of many ways. It can decrease engine power by suppressing the spark to cylinders, reduce fuel supply, close the throttle, or reduce boost in turbo-charged vehicles. Also, it can work like an electronic stability control system and
apply the brakes to one or more wheels.
All in all, there are many different technologies and features in automobiles, and one has to find what is best for the particular racing genre that they are interested in.
Each particular drive system is best for one or more varieties of racing, but not usually for all of them. Four wheel drive is best used for off roading. All wheel drive is preferable for rally racing, autocross, and would be very good in drag racing, although
rear wheel drive is much more common.
Deciding on your race car is not just about drive systems or assisted computer handling though. Other important features, such as the engine, visibility, body shape, safety features, and interior, are also prudent considerations when purchasing a vehicle
specifically for auto racing. These features will be discussed in the next article.
Take a look!
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