What went wrong here?

[Mark_T]

This hasn't been my experience with the Boxster at all. There have been a couple of times when I have got on the gas too soon coming out of a corner or cloverleaf and the back end has come loose. A slight lift, a quick counter-steer, and it snaps back to straight again, ready for the throttle. I've never had a car that corrects from an oversteer slide as smoothly and easily as this one. Maybe this is because I am running Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus tires, although they are 5 seasons old and getting pretty hard.

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by Mark_T

This hasn't been my experience with the Boxster at all. There have been a couple of times when I have got on the gas too soon coming out of a corner or cloverleaf and the back end has come loose. A slight lift, a quick counter-steer, and it snaps back to straight again, ready for the throttle. I've never had a car that corrects from an oversteer slide as smoothly and easily as this one. Maybe this is because I am running Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus tires, although they are 5 seasons old and getting pretty hard.

+1
Boxster is one of the best street vehicles ever made to do what you direct it to do. Unfortunately if you give the wrong directions it follows those also without prejudice.

All modern vehicles are designed to go straight thru steering axis inclination & proper castor settings. Therefore the moment I feel I have lost control I release my grip on the steering wheel allowing it to spin freely between my hands til it self centers & the car is going straight again. Now I can make minimal steering input to regain intended direction of travel.

[stephen wilson]

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

All modern vehicles are designed to go straight thru steering axis inclination & proper castor settings. Therefore the moment I feel I have lost control I release my grip on the steering wheel allowing it to spin freely between my hands til it self centers & the car is going straight again. Now I can make minimal steering input to regain intended direction of travel.

I've done that when I need to take steering out quickly when "snapping back" after counter-steering for a slide, I think that's what you mean? I'm sure you can't just let go when the tail steps out.

Scott, were you shifting from 1st to 2nd while turning, or from 3rd to 2nd?

[TeamOxford]

AXs and DEs are great for getting seat time; for learning a course or a new car. They will NOT erase incorrect driving techniques.

IMHO, it's best to learn proper high speed driving techniques from a qualified instructor.

Once one learns the basics, then any further driving events aid the driver in mastering these techniques.

And just to be CLEAR, drive with your brain..................

TO

p.s. I thought alangning's post was a hoot!

[stephen wilson]

I also think some reading is mandatory. You have to understand the physics that define how a car responds to your inputs.

[scottvd]

Originally Posted by stephen wilson

I've done that when I need to take steering out quickly when "snapping back" after counter-steering for a slide, I think that's what you mean? I'm sure you can't just let go when the tail steps out.

Scott, were you shifting from 1st to 2nd while turning, or from 3rd to 2nd?

Tons of good input here, thanks again everyone. I was shifting from 1st to 2nd. I had taking 1st up to circa 6400rpm, shift to second came just when I was really engaging the steering wheel for the turn..

[haz]

Originally Posted by scottvd

Tons of good input here, thanks again everyone. I was shifting from 1st to 2nd. I had taking 1st up to circa 6400rpm, shift to second came just when I was really engaging the steering wheel for the turn..

Oooh... recipe for disaster there. Why rev up to as high as 6400 at all when planning on turning the steeringwheel AND shifting up? You were basically asking for it, sorry. Luckily no damage, right?

[scottvd]

Originally Posted by haz

Oooh... recipe for disaster there. Why rev up to as high as 6400 at all when planning on turning the steeringwheel AND shifting up? You were basically asking for it, sorry. Luckily no damage, right?

^ ya - no damage. Mostly good came from this - because it was close to damage.. you know those near death experiences when everything slows down and there's an amazing sense of clarity.. it wasn't near death or anything but it did feel like time was about 10% normal speed and I had complete recognition of what was happening: "Second day with my car and here we go, going to wreck into the side of that pickup."

So it was close enough to totally get my attention - RWD is nothing like my AWD subbie! (:

[pharaohjb]

True... if you think about what you did:

1. Fast acceleration - presuming you're at 6400 rpm, you're near redline, and likely got there pretty quickly. Physically, that throws a lot of weight onto the rear tires (where it should be for good traction in a RWD car).
2. Upshifting - you've now thrown the weight OFF of the back tires as there's less acceleration. Not as bad as braking, but you now don't have the same force pushing down on the rear tires.
3. Turning the wheel - you've also now got a bit MORE grip on the fronts since you've upshifted and shifted the weight off the rear tires.


Hitting the accelerator again in this state is a recipe for disaster. Not only will the rear end break loose easier when you hit the throttle, the additional grip the fronts have will send you spinning easier, since they're not pointed in a straight line.

That's my estimation, anyway. Those with more track experience, feel free to correct me!