Anyone own and race both FWD & RWD cars?
Discussion
hi stevo, seriouly could not be more different, this season ive been driving big, heavy, powerfull rwd falcon & also mouch more nimble but much slower fwd peugeot 306.
I thought @ first jumping from one to the other id have to think which is fwd & rwd drive once your in a bit of a situation but just seems to come natural once your in car
The main difference is you can recover a fwd car from impossible angles, rwd you are going all the way around
you can warm the tyres up a lot quicker in rwd which is always a problem for me in the peugeot with the rather 'loose' rear end.
My falcon is fairly neutral handling until you use your right foot, but both my fwd cars are fairly tail happy & do take a bit of getting used to
I thought @ first jumping from one to the other id have to think which is fwd & rwd drive once your in a bit of a situation but just seems to come natural once your in car
The main difference is you can recover a fwd car from impossible angles, rwd you are going all the way around
you can warm the tyres up a lot quicker in rwd which is always a problem for me in the peugeot with the rather 'loose' rear end.
My falcon is fairly neutral handling until you use your right foot, but both my fwd cars are fairly tail happy & do take a bit of getting used to
I race a FWD (Honda Shed) but trackday a westfield (RWD). I love both but feel much more comfortable in the westfield. I feel with RWD you have much more control over the back end. The back end on a FWD is just like a trailer really! :-D
As for the transition, I dont really drive either hugely different, the civic does seem a doddle after driving the westfield. But the westfield is a bit quicker so it is easier jumping into a slower car.
As for the transition, I dont really drive either hugely different, the civic does seem a doddle after driving the westfield. But the westfield is a bit quicker so it is easier jumping into a slower car.
It very much depends on the quality and performance of the cars and the tyres they are using to be quite honest. So jumping between the two is not a problem so long as they are both reasonably comparible in terms of tyre quality and car performance (quality of prep, approximate power and weight but not so much lap times).
Personaly I think both types offer huge rewards and experience to competitors.
The biggest difference in getting the most from either is that a RWD can work with different with driving styles dependant on grip and performance (some identical to FWD). However, a FWD is ultimately "under driven" BUT in a very commited way, which is an art in itself.
Personaly I think both types offer huge rewards and experience to competitors.
The biggest difference in getting the most from either is that a RWD can work with different with driving styles dependant on grip and performance (some identical to FWD). However, a FWD is ultimately "under driven" BUT in a very commited way, which is an art in itself.
Simon Mason said:
jumping between the two is not a problem so long as they are both reasonably comparible in terms of tyre quality and car performance (quality of prep, approximate power and weight but not so much lap times).
So doing what I'm planning on doing and going from a Formula Renault to a Metro might not be the best idea? 
I raced Metros from 2001 to 2006 and the FR last season. I've got a couple of tests booked of both cars this summer and then may be racing both next year! Any tips?
Edited by RobM77 on Tuesday 13th July 11:15
LOL..... all carried away with the contrast idea of racing a Metro after a FR are we Rob? It should be a peace of cake, you'll be fine 
My point is in your particular case as an example, a well set up FRenault is dead easy and rewarding to drive but if the Metro your driving is for example a cheap build with rubbish or worn dampers and perhaps had a shunt repair on a low budget and run on old tyres the contrast could be very off puting as a comparison of FWD over RWD.
However, if your FRenault is a dog of a car with cheap dampers maybe had a shunt at some stage without funds to fully replace everything and tyres that have done a few races and the metro is a well built car with good dampers and tyres the contrast in driver confidence jumping between the two could be quite different.
If both are the approximately the same level of prep then the driving experience is relative. I guess that makes the point more effectively.
Frankly I've been jumping between Road tyred FWD and RWD and then full monty slick shod aero led and GT cars and slaoons for years and the only difference I can see is when either the above is at fault and or my driving is'nt adapted to suit.
My point is in your particular case as an example, a well set up FRenault is dead easy and rewarding to drive but if the Metro your driving is for example a cheap build with rubbish or worn dampers and perhaps had a shunt repair on a low budget and run on old tyres the contrast could be very off puting as a comparison of FWD over RWD.
However, if your FRenault is a dog of a car with cheap dampers maybe had a shunt at some stage without funds to fully replace everything and tyres that have done a few races and the metro is a well built car with good dampers and tyres the contrast in driver confidence jumping between the two could be quite different.
If both are the approximately the same level of prep then the driving experience is relative. I guess that makes the point more effectively.
Frankly I've been jumping between Road tyred FWD and RWD and then full monty slick shod aero led and GT cars and slaoons for years and the only difference I can see is when either the above is at fault and or my driving is'nt adapted to suit.
Simon Mason said:
LOL..... all carried away with the contrast idea of racing a Metro after a FR are we Rob? It should be a peace of cake, you'll be fine
My point is in your particular case as an example, a well set up FRenault is dead easy and rewarding to drive but if the Metro your driving is for example a cheap build with rubbish or worn dampers and perhaps had a shunt repair on a low budget and run on old tyres the contrast could be very off puting as a comparison of FWD over RWD.
However, if your FRenault is a dog of a car with cheap dampers maybe had a shunt at some stage without funds to fully replace everything and tyres that have done a few races and the metro is a well built car with good dampers and tyres the contrast in driver confidence jumping between the two could be quite different.
If both are the approximately the same level of prep then the driving experience is relative. I guess that makes the point more effectively.
Frankly I've been jumping between Road tyred FWD and RWD and then full monty slick shod aero led and GT cars and slaoons for years and the only difference I can see is when either the above is at fault and or my driving is'nt adapted to suit.
I was a bit worried, yes! My point is in your particular case as an example, a well set up FRenault is dead easy and rewarding to drive but if the Metro your driving is for example a cheap build with rubbish or worn dampers and perhaps had a shunt repair on a low budget and run on old tyres the contrast could be very off puting as a comparison of FWD over RWD.
However, if your FRenault is a dog of a car with cheap dampers maybe had a shunt at some stage without funds to fully replace everything and tyres that have done a few races and the metro is a well built car with good dampers and tyres the contrast in driver confidence jumping between the two could be quite different.
If both are the approximately the same level of prep then the driving experience is relative. I guess that makes the point more effectively.
Frankly I've been jumping between Road tyred FWD and RWD and then full monty slick shod aero led and GT cars and slaoons for years and the only difference I can see is when either the above is at fault and or my driving is'nt adapted to suit.
I see what you mean now though. 
I should be fine I think. My heart is in faster lighter cars, but I can't afford to do many races in such things, thus the recent arrangement to do a few races in my friend's Metro.
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