06-03-2014, 07:09 AM
(06-03-2014, 12:19 AM)redbirds_imp Wrote:(06-02-2014, 10:57 PM)The Spaceman_imp Wrote: I had the good fortune to take the Skip Barber 3-day Car Control class at Sebring. One of the exercises was "Threshold Braking," which is modulating the brake pedal so the tire is at the limit of adhesion/traction. The instructors disabled the ABS by removing fuse. After a couple hours practice we got pretty good. Then they put the fuse back in. Stopping distances for everyone, students and instructors, were significantly lower. Then we did the same exercise on the skid-pan in wet. It was a phenomenal difference.
The only driver who was as good as the computer with his foot was Vic Elford. But we aren't Vic Elford, are we?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vic_Elford
Vic Elford, saw him race the mighty 917 at Daytona and Sebring. Had the privilege of speaking with him in the paddock area at Daytona in 1970. A real gentleman who had the patience and grace to answer the questions of a wide eyed young racing fan like me.
Vic Elford, saw him race the mighty 917 at Daytona and Sebring. Had the privilege of speaking with him in the paddock area at Daytona in 1970. A real gentleman who had the patience and grace to answer the questions of a wide eyed young racing fan like me.
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I felt pretty lucky to have him training me at the school. He also come out for a day sailing on the catamaran I used to own/live aboard. He's quite a character; at the school he drank spicy V-8s and chain smoked all day. The last day of school he took my girlfriend for a full-tilt ride around the Sebring track in a Viper. I had to help her out of the car. An autographed copy of his Porsche Performance driving book is one of my favorite possessions.
Vic Elford said ABS is superior in every way for anyone but the highest echelons of professional drivers/riders who have devoted their lives to developing braking skills. That was the point of the exercise they put us through in the class. Every study I've seen on it in the journals etc. have shown ABS stops faster than regular brakes. If anyone has a link to a competent study that shows otherwise, I'd love to read it.