MF Podcast Review: JCW GP (Part 1)
Sometimes it’s just easier to get behind the wheel and talk about a car rather than write. Especially about something that has been covered as much as the GP. It also gives me an excuse to go drive in the snow, one of my favorite past-times. Truth be told, it was really just flurries. The main reason for the slippery conditions was simply the 30 degree temps and salted roads combined with summer tires. Obviously it goes without saying that in an ideal world, you should not drive summer tires in the winter. Unless you like excitement.
[ MotoringFile Review: MINI JCW GP ] (MP3 / 3MB / 2:54)
Gee,
Sorry you don’t like the car. 😉
Ric
GP 0095
Terms like “snap oversteer,” “opposite lock.” and the like are perhaps obvious to some, but not clear to all of your listeners. I would suggest an episode of WRR dedicated to clarifying these and other driving terms and concepts. Perhaps I am just behind the curve on these things, but I don’t really get “heel toe driving” and I just heard about a “Swedish Flick” (which is actually not as dirty as I thought it would be….)
For example, when someone puts on the brakes as they pass over a speed bump, I think to myself – “you just don’t get how this works, do you?” I would like to hear you guys talk this stuff. And Gabe can explain to me what an off-camber curve is too, while he is at it.
Anyway, I am not looking for another “track day” show, I want driving tips, techniques and terminology. not all of us go to the track, but we all could use some ideas about how to be better behind the wheel.
Let’s Tighten the Nut Behind the Wheel!
Daddy Duper
RFLOL@Pointiac+Mattress.
Engine sounds superb.
Doug, I don’t agree that they should be spending time explaining driving terms to the audience. I know that if I were doing a podcast on web development and I had to explain concepts like AJAX to the audience, I’d get frustrated pretty quick. Not because I don’t want to educate them. But because it’s so hard to know what the audience does or does not understand.
Also, now that we have good search engines, researching a concept is almost effortless. For example, I didn’t understand what an off-camber curve is, either. It took me less than thirty seconds to find [this article](<a href="http://www.soundrider.com/archive/safety-skills/coming_unglued.htm" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.soundrider.com/archive/safety-skills/coming_unglued.htm</a>) with [this diagram](<a href="http://www.soundrider.com/images/Riding%20Skills/Unglued/coming4.gif" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.soundrider.com/images/Riding%20Skills/Unglued/coming4.gif</a>).
Now, what would be useful is to have someone explain (or demonstrate) techniques for handling off-camber curves. Or even specific locations so we could experience them firsthand.
Doug – you might want to check out the following link over at AutoBlog.
It’s a simply awesome display of exactly what you’re looking for. Unfortunately he doesn’t drive a MINI in the FWD techniques section, but I’m certain you won’t mind. What a job to have!
<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/07/autoblog-night-watch-tiff-needells-stunt-driving-techniques/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/07/autoblog-night-watch-tiff-needells-stunt-driving-techniques/</a>
Rich.
FrankInMiami : this one is for you:) and yes.. its this much fun.
take it for a ride. buy it. we only live once:)
No update yet? Must be that Gabe can’t pry his cold hands off the steering wheel :).
It would be great to read (or hear) a comparison of the GP to an S with full JCW treatment, including suspension. Methinks the two would be nearly indistinguishable, but perhaps not.