>>I'm sure that no one on this list actually thinks that their driving skills
>>are good enough to beat a modern, well tuned, ABS system
>>consistently...especially in less than perfect weather conditions.
Well, I do not consider myself a superlative driver, but I am able to
consistently beat the ABS systems on my cars (86 Corvette, 91 NSX, 97 BMW
M3) In fact, I complained to Honda about their implementation, the first
four channel system. It was very easy to beat it. All systems suffer from
the same problem. They cycle. So there is time when adhesion is not
optimal.
Now the question remains, in the heat of battle, can you do as well as the
anti-lock systems in the cars? I maintain you can, because during braking
on the track, you are generally coached to do it in a straight line, prior
to entering the corner. Lots of time to think about it, not much else to
do but modulate the brake pedal.
I often wondered if threshold braking into the turn might benefit from ABS,
as you unweight the inside and add weight to the outside. But I never
found it to be true.
I actually measured the braking distances from 60mph on the NSX, without
ABS and standing on the brake pedal. Without - 133 ft, with abs - 151 ft.
>>advantage, I defy most people to beat the system continuously on a track.
>
>Most decent race drivers will not only beat the street type ABS you
>describe but will find the ABS to be a hinderance to them.
The 86 Corvette was the first year to have abs, three channel with both
rear wheels controlled the same. It actually behaved better than the four
channel NSX because the car did not crab down the road under application.
I do think there is a place for abs and for traction control. On the
track, the surface is predictable and consistent. Adhesion is consistent
for all wheels. There is the occasional oil patch but it quickly gets
spread around. But on the road, under adverse conditions, especially when
a wheel drops off the shoulder of the road, the adhesion on the left and
the right can be vastly different. ABS will give you better braking than
your ability to modulate, because you have no balance bar controlling left
to right.
Now traction control is another topic...and has some interesting
implications...
Michael
Michael Sands
sands@dnai.com http://www.dnai.com/~sands/
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