More info to backup what I was saying Mark . . . (archive)

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Gary told me that according to spec, his custom front sway bar is about 80% stiffer than stock but that it made only about 10% difference in the handling. He was disappointed that it didn't make more of a difference.

At the last autocross, he seemed to think that the custom adjustable shocks made more difference.

I was talking about all else being equal. I'm not saying anyone could have won with Gary's setup. He is a past National Champion and has a day-job that allows him to drive cars all the time. What I was saying is that another Nationl Caliber driver, Ron Bauer, with a slightly different setup could only manage 10th.
Which brings me to XXXXX... I'm not saying that the swaybar is 'everything.' The shocks are a large part of the equation... if you look at any class winner at the Nationals, they were all on 'revalved' or custom made shocks. What I was saying was that the swaybar made all the difference over other National level S2000's with double-adjustable shocks.

Gary's stiffer front bar has it's largest effect on the rear tires. While the other S2000's were lifting the inside rear and spinning it, Gary's always stayed planted. This may not have been that obvious, which is why Gary said he was not that impressed by the bar. But it was obvious to me, watching all the different cars from the sidelines. His was the absolute best at putting the power down, which is a huge advantage. It allows the torsen diff to lock up, not spin like an open diff. When the torsen locks up, it helps steer the car around the corner by transferring some of the engine power to the oustide rear tire, effectively 'driving' the car around the corner. If the inside wheel is spinning, not only are you not going forward, you are not 'steering' with the diff, a double whammy.

So recongnize that Gary might not realize the benefit of the larger front bar... That is why I was watching all the cars. To pick up on the differences that make his car a winner. At the Nationals, some classes have talent 20 cars deep... Not like a local autocross. So it allows you to notice what setups work, and what setups don't.

Since I am thinking about running one next year, I watched the class intently... to make sure I had a good gameplan for setup next year...

BTW, I think Gary's car would be even faster on Hoosiers! Not sure if he's tried them yet, but I have a feeling they'd be better. I believe he's got a Kumho deal, and that's the main reason he runs them.

So yes, Gary could probably win on a tricycle at a local event... but at Nationals, it takes the best driver *and* the best setup to win.

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