Almost Lost control !

[ambarsaria]

I was following someone with a Silver 1.8T A4. I think he had better suspension and he had an exhaust pipes that curve upwards. He was merging from 85 to 280 South and was probably hitting 90 mph+ on the 40mph ramp. I was like "Shit!" and just tried following him at the same speed on my 2.0T. Unfortunately I didn't turn very smoothly as I wasn't prepared and the car started to skid but the ESP kicked in to get me back in control.

Just thought I'd share a somewhat exciting experience, but I think it's about time I install my RS4 sway bar sitting in my car's trunk. Although most people want just more speed but I realized that it's equally important to get better suspension to put the speed to a use.

[Sydeshow MO]

The RS4 rear will make your rear end tighter creating a looser rear end i.e. promoting over steer. You would have to drive more smoother to actually make it work better.

Im not gonna tell you not to drive like that on a public road because honestly, I do the same. Just be careful. I had the same thing happen to me chasing a Mustang and at the exit, I totally had the car sideways sliding parallel with the underpass wall (I80/780) interchange. This was in an RX7 and later found out a control arm linkage broke.

Also, dont keep your eyes on the car infront if your chasing. Thats the worst thing you can do. Just drive your line.

[CONTROL TWO]

at least you werent on a cell phone [:D]

[QuattroLauncher]

that sounds strange, ive hit that on-ramp at 100mph w/o any problems with my stock sport suspension.

[ambarsaria]

I totally admit that was my mistake. Instead of following through on that turn, I had my eyes on the car in front of me. I usually don't drive crazy but this was at 11pm on a Saturday Night so I don't think I put anyone else's life on the line.

I'm sure people can take that curve on a 100, I just didn't focus and turned at the last minute... but everything's safe and the car only slid for a little before the ESP put the brakes on to get me back to 60-70mph I think. On a side note at the 101 - Willow(84) I saw someone's Jeep totalled and I was thinking damn, I never think of that when I take that 25mph turn at 50. SO be safe.

[RAVI]

maybe you need better tires

[MYBMW05]

suspension and all that stuff is great... but your biggest gain would come from taking some classes.
like car control clinics and track days.

these days, they are very affordtable. with BMW CCA membership these events are only 40-50 bucks and for the price of ONE single mod, you could have multiple trips to the track or a controlled environment where trained professionals will teach you how to handle your cars in any and all situations.

i mean... ive been to the nurburgring and driven over 30+ days o the track and i cannot tell you how much it has helped, because in everyday driving you will never know when you will use something u learned to help avoid an accident until you actually use it, and then you will realize the importance of being able to control your car fully behind the wheel and making split second decisions.

[Kievskiy]

From experience that i had with my a6-auto-xing, road racing, ramp racing, drifting and so on, started with the stock car with no sport packages!
1-tires/rims(or only tires); 2-shock/spings; 3-swaybars; 4- center diff; 5-rear LSD....
4 and 5 is for very deffencive driving.
try to get to know your car before you do ANY RACING on it. That why you go Auto-Xing my friend.
good luck.
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[piaadoll]

what are you guys thinking doing 90+ on a 40mph ramp...take it to the track!!

[Kievskiy]

^^^ha, ramp =track;) for people who can do it:)

[CONTROL TWO]

its called aggresive street driving!!

[Sydeshow MO]

I drive like im on the track no matter where im going or what car im driving.

No, I dont speed thru the exits or on ramps. Im meirly saying that I drive a line. You'll find me hittin' apex's comming out wide using the entire road. Well... you know what I mean.

[Kievskiy]

i know exactly what you're saying, lol

[CONTROL TWO]

yeah mo's avant is allll over the place! it must be those 40" lcd's he has instead of headrests! [:D]

[audidood]

get stiffer suspension and some stickier tires.

[ambarsaria]

Originally posted by piaadoll
what are you guys thinking doing 90+ on a 40mph ramp...take it to the track!!

Track sounds like an idea, but I must wait till end of semester. 90 seemed possible there, I'm not sure if you've seen that 85 -> S 280 ramp. I didn't skid totally out of control, it was starting slide when ESP put the brakes on. I'm usually a safe driver, except very occassionaly I hit 5000+ rpm.

So where are these tracks located at MYBMW .. I'm around San Jose Area.

[Sydeshow MO]

You have three NORCAL tracks with the closets being INFINION (Sears Point) in Sonoma. It is also the most dangerous because of the runoff.

Thunder Hill is up north about 3.5 hours for you. Fastest NORCAL track and one of the safest. Tons of run off and some descent elevation change. Nothing major though. Good p[lace to learn

Button Willow is Down south in Central Cali just outside of Bakersfield. Fast, fun, safe, also good place to learn but its freaking far.

Laguna Seca is in Monterey and is IMO the most beautifulist track in the country. LOL, I have only raced at T-Hill, Sears, and Laguna. Really though... Safer than Infinion but not as fast as T-hill or Button willow. This track will put your car in its place. Taking the corkscrew is like nothing else. Passing in the corkscrew is pure heaven!

I cant beleive you dont know where any of the tracks are?

[ambarsaria]

Well, although I'm 22 now, I've never got my hands on a car like Audi before, so tracks were of no use. But damn! Getting older too soon!

[speedydragon]

lol i dunno any tracks around me besides the one in napa/sonoma..

[MYBMW05]

Mo pretty much summed up what i was gonna say. i really like thunderhill...

you can normally get about 2 hours of track time with an instructor (which is recommend) if its your first time for like $250. 6-7 SESSIONS in the beginner group.

instructors are included with the price so like you should take advantage and have one if you have never tracked. you will need a helmet though, snell 00 or newer.

[Sydeshow MO]

Originally posted by ambarsaria
Well, although I'm 22 now, I've never got my hands on a car like Audi before, so tracks were of no use. But damn! Getting older too soon!

You should really consider Autocrossing first. This will teach yo alot about your car. It will also teach you some low speed car control you can use in real life.

Link to SCCA SF region (http://www.sfrscca.org/solo2/)

Check out the calender and find a date you would like to go. I realized after years of being out of the sport that it is harder for non-members to race. First come first serve basis and its limited.

Get a membership online (you wont regret it) and show up to one of the races.

I will try to make this Sundays race one at Golden Gate Fields. I can sponser you if you show up early enough. Im still 50/50 though. I didnt know it got moved to an earlier date till just now.

Anyway, good luck!

[ambarsaria]

I probably won't get time till around December to visit any Races or take any lessons. I'll keep this thread bookmarked though, and contact through PM later.

[Ultrasport Steve]

Couple of comments...you need to develop skilz first...I teach for the Audi club at the driving events. I was at Thunderhill last weekend....and have about 80 track days under my belt there. Practice on the track so you know what you are doing when things happen on the street.

FWIW, I have taken the 880 W/85 southbound ramp at 103mph thru the tunnel. I would not suggest you try that though. :-)

[MYBMW05]

MO. i disagree with you. i think he should start with a car control clinic, where they teach u all sorts of accident awareness and avoidence tactics... and then an autocross, where he has a chance to practice those skills..and finally the track.

[Kievskiy]

well, from the cheapest way perspective Auto-X is the best.....but if money is not an issue then i say go for it.
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cause track will be faaaast:)

[speedydragon]

Originally posted by MYBMW05
MO. i disagree with you. i think he should start with a car control clinic, where they teach u all sorts of accident awareness and avoidence tactics... and then an autocross, where he has a chance to practice those skills..and finally the track.
this racing school thing...is there a site for this? if so, it'd be awesome if you can hook me up with a link ^^ also do they provide the cars? and where the heck is thunderhill?