femurphy77
Grandmaster
I started autocrossing in the 90’s and got into track racing (BHF, Joliet Autobahn, etc) soon thereafter. I’m no pro test driver but I’ve driven my fair share of cars in that environment and I can’t say I’ve ever understood all the anti FWD sentiment. One of my favorite track racers was a modded ‘08 Mazdaspeed3, over 300hp through the front tires. I did much more than just hold my own in the Audi/BMW club I ran with most of the time. Every format has its own dynamics, as well as positives and negatives, and there are even more idiosyncrasies by make and model. I’ve of course had RWDs and AWDs too, but I would just adapt.
¯\_( ツ)_/¯ I’m not racing at some pro level where the equipment is the limiting factor; as the saying goes, the most important part in the car is the nut behind the wheel. I always got a kick out of the guys who show up at my level with a fire suit, racing shoes, and other $$$ equipment, of course in an S4 (or M3, more often) and scoff at my little japanese appliance until they ended up watching my taillights disappear into the distance.
I learned the value of “run what ya brung” as a little kid going to the strip with my uncle.
It's not so much an "anti FWD sentiment" as much as it's a comfort level issue. I've successfully hung the tail out on many a racetrack in high performance RWD cars so I can predict their response to input from the steering wheel on the floor (gas pedal). My only experience with FWD is stone stock street cars that have too many times left me headed straight for the curb I'm trying to power my way away from.
I'm hoping to get back into Autox soon with a new CP car "All" if have to do to it is paint it and re-assemble it.