Driving on track: wrx sti vs 911 - Page 1 - 911/Carrera GT - PistonHeads UK

I've driven both extensively on track and want to see if anyone has come to the same conclusion as I did. I find that the normal racing line and techniques that most FR or MR cars get away with does not quite work for these two cars representing RR and front-based AWD layouts. Despite the obvious differences in layout there seems to be one charactersitic in common between the two: car doesn't want to turn in, due to lack of weight on the front axle in the Porsche's case and excessive amount of it on the same axle in the Subaru's. Behind the wheel of a 911, I naturally find myself trail braking into a turn in an attempt to move more load towards the front end to keep the front tyres biting and to get the back end to come around a bit. Then you balance it on the throttle towards the exit. The typical 'braking must be done before turn in' I find is simply not applicable here. While driving the STI, I also trail brake with the same goal, but to a much lesser degree. It is a lot trickier to get it right here because with the heavy nose it's too easy to either under or over do it. Underdo it and you suffer understeer mid corner. Overdo and you run wide on corner entry. There is a much finer line between too little and too much braking than there is in the Porsche. Get it right in either, and you're rewarded with an opportunity to slingshot out of a corner thanks to RR/AWD traction advantage. So in short, I try to drive in 'slow in fast out' fashion for late apexing in both cars, to maximise the advantage they have in common, which is traction on exit. This, despite the obvious difference between them in engine location, driven axle, weight distribution, etc. But I'm facing difficulties understanding how I've ended up driving the two seemingly very different cars in a similar way. I guess my focus on traction advantage both of these come with somewhat dictated my driving style. Above is my experience from behind the wheel of 08 STI, 13 STI, 997.2 GTS and 997.2 GT3. Anyone? Please feel free to share your thoughts. Edited by C.MW on Monday 17th May 06:00

My only relevant experience is of a 996 C2 at Brands Hatch. It turned in nicely and was very balanced through Paddock, trail braking helped for lower speed corners (Druids, Graham Hill). It was only Clearways that I really struggled: uphill, slightly off camber, power on there just wasn’t enough weight forward for it to grip. It was ok for the first couple of laps of each session but then the PS4 really struggled. Mine is wearing 997 wheels which have 7mm more offset at the front, and if I remember correctly a narrower track is meant to add understeer. I will fit some spacers or change wheels before I return.

Which track do you go to and what are your lap times in both? Interesting observation this worth a watch.

Turn in is pretty good on the GT3, particularly with the right roll bar set up. In a 911 I prefer hard braking before the corner then, as I turn in, allow natural lift off oversteer to tighten the line before back on the power. Proper trail braking when you are going fast requires too much precision for me as getting it wrong (eg at the end of Lavant at Goodwood) can end in tears. But I am no Senna. Sadly.

Are both cars on factory set ups?

I am curious what year STI you were driving, the track mode should help compensate for corners.