Cornering

[Christrong]

So this is my first car that isn’t purely functional. Hence I have never driven a performance vehicle. When cornering at higher speeds what’s reasonable? I understand it all depends on the road conditions and turn radius etc, just looking for some cornering specific discussion? Is safe all known just by the g force felt?

 

[Christrong]

To add to the above how do you decide how fast to take a curve?

 

[BeeEmm]

To add to the above how do you decide how fast to take a curve?

Sounds like you need professional advanced instruction. You cannot drive safely on answers given on a forum. Also, buy a book called 'Roadcraft' the Police driver's handbook.

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

It all depends how sharp the bend is, what tyres you have, the temperature of the tyres and the road, if it has been raining etc.

Even rally drivers code the degree of a bend, 1-5, 5 being the the sharpest.
It would not be advisable to try and test the car around a sharp bend.

Just drive it and get a feel for it. Don’t test in busy or dangerous places.

Its generally advisable to accelerate out of a bend, rather than into one. So on approach foot off the pedal, and once you reach the apex then you can accelerate again.
(Use breaks at any point if required!)

Watch Reg Local on youtube, he has some good driving tips.

 

[Silverstar]

To add to the above how do you decide how fast to take a curve?

Gut feeling! :wink:

 

[Christrong]

To add to the above how do you decide how fast to take a curve?

Sounds like you need professional advanced instruction. You cannot drive safely on answers given on a forum. Also, buy a book called 'Roadcraft' the Police driver's handbook.

Totally understand your response. I don’t intend to “learn how to drive” from forum answers. Mainly just trying to start conversation on cornering.

 

[Chippie]

I would certainly be cautious this time of year with the roads being damp, keep the traction control on and be gentle with your right foot on the accelerator, just drive to what feels comfortable, you could try attending a few meets and trying to keep up to the car in front

 

[sunnydays]

I certainly wouldn't push the E89 to hard around corners. It isn't that type of car imo. More of a gentle cruiser with some power for the straights.

 

[Smartbear]

To add to the above how do you decide how fast to take a curve?

Sounds like you need professional advanced instruction. You cannot drive safely on answers given on a forum. Also, buy a book called 'Roadcraft' the Police driver's handbook.

Totally understand your response. I don’t intend to “learn how to drive” from forum answers. Mainly just trying to start conversation on cornering.

Just drive it like a normal car, it isn’t a Lotus
Rob

 

[weegeoff]

Slow in. Fast out

 

[ronk]

Experience is the keyword - go out and drive it but stay within your own capabilities.
ie Don't go daft!
The only way that you'll know where the limits are is to exceed them - best to exceed them by only a little and in a safe place.

The electronics are a good help but you cannot defy the basic laws of physics

 

[Busterboo]

There's a simple method, Christrong, you can try that a Porsche specialist I know uses as part of the way to gauge the efficiency of a car's suspension before he works on it.

First, you need an empty roundabout. Not too big, not too small - you'll find the right size when you try this. Then, you need a friend to read the speedometer, so you can focus on the job. Having his/her weight over the front end helps, too.

The idea is not to tear-arse onto the roundabout, all wheels screaming, but to drive whole circuits (of as near the same diameter as you can manage) at a fixed speed, increasing by 1mph (or as near as you can manage) per circuit until you begin to lose adhesion.

Try it. You may be surprised at the outcomes.

 

[ronk]

And don't get caught. olice:

 

[Mavster]

.....or spin off due to being dizzy and sick !

 

[conwyman]

Or take it on a track, preferably with some tuition.

 

[Christrong]

There's a simple method, Christrong, you can try that a Porsche specialist I know uses as part of the way to gauge the efficiency of a car's suspension before he works on it.

First, you need an empty roundabout. Not too big, not too small - you'll find the right size when you try this. Then, you need a friend to read the speedometer, so you can focus on the job. Having his/her weight over the front end helps, too.

The idea is not to tear-arse onto the roundabout, all wheels screaming, but to drive whole circuits (of as near the same diameter as you can manage) at a fixed speed, increasing by 1mph (or as near as you can manage) per circuit until you begin to lose adhesion.

Try it. You may be surprised at the outcomes.

This sounds like a fun idea.

 

[Busterboo]

And don't get caught. olice:

On an average size roundabout, you won't be going fast when one of the rear wheels starts to lose adhesion. Try it.

 

[bob4333]

Ken Block seems to have got the hang of it, although this may be for your second week of ownership when things have settled a bit.

Starts at 1 minute in. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bkX5VkZg8U

Seriously, unless you were born without the fear gene just go easy until you feel comfortable with your car. Took me 6 months before I even got to thinking about trying it with the traction control off.

 

[Chippie]

Awesome video
If you try that Just make sure you budget for a new set of tyres

 

[exdos]

Christrong, The principles of cornering remain the same for all cars. Basically, it's the inter-relationship between angular velocity and grip. Grip is the main variable so safe fast cornering is essentially down to the driver being highly aware of the variables affecting grip and driving accordingly.

When driving on public roads, in order to remain in your lane on exit, make sure you apex the corner as late as possible even if that means approaching the corner in the opposite lane; most drivers get that wrong.