[wannafbody]

saw a segment on the news about the 2012 requirent for vehicles to have anti-rollover potection. The technology uses braking and steering control to reduce the chance of rollover. do you think this will kill autocrossing?

[slowTA]

I'm on the fence about this one.

On one hand you know there are people who need it most of the time and others who would only use it once in a while. Saying even the best driver never needs it is completely wrong.

As for the sporting side of things, I see how it can be used as a training device (assuming it has a big light that lets you know when it is working). I can also see how it is an unfair advantage. This can also keep people from being scared of driving their rear wheel drive cars in the winter!

Would we need a stabilitrack class for autocross, a completely different PAX system, can we tell everyone to shut it off (and actually enforce it)?

Damned if I know the answer.

[DavidDymaxion]

It does things you can't do (braking on just one wheel), so in theory a car with stability control should be faster. Also, you can tune a car a bit more neutrally, but the electronics make it act like it has safe understeer. So far really good drivers are still faster, but who knows how long that will last. The one advantage humans have is anticipation, which reactive electronics can never do.

I'd say "bring it on." So far the electronically enhanced cars are not dominating autocross.

I'm on the fence about this one.

On one hand you know there are people who need it most of the time and others who would only use it once in a while. Saying even the best driver never needs it is completely wrong.

As for the sporting side of things, I see how it can be used as a training device (assuming it has a big light that lets you know when it is working). I can also see how it is an unfair advantage. This can also keep people from being scared of driving their rear wheel drive cars in the winter!

Would we need a stabilitrack class for autocross, a completely different PAX system, can we tell everyone to shut it off (and actually enforce it)?

Damned if I know the answer.

[z28jeff]

I'd say "bring it on." So far the electronically enhanced cars are not dominating autocross.

A perfect example of this is the G35. It's mostly because of the electronic driving aids that the car is classed in FS, and not BS like it's twin the 350Z.

[2000Z-71]

I'd say "bring it on." So far the electronically enhanced cars are not dominating autocross.

A perfect example of this is the G35. It's mostly because of the electronic driving aids that the car is classed in FS, and not BS like it's twin the 350Z.

I'm now driving a G35 sedan, basically the same car as the G35 coupe and 350Z. The sedan is in DS and the coupe now in FS while the Z is in BS. I believe the reasoning for the different classes is weight and different tire sizes. Traction control is optional on the Z and comes as standard with some trim packages. I don't think that the traction control incorporates the stability control features of the Inifinitis.

I've forgetten a couple of time to turn stability control off before starting an autocross run, it sucks and it definately isn't any faster. It pulls the throttle out as soon as it senses slip. At least with the Inifiniti it can be turned completely off. One of the big detractors for me when i test drove a Dodge Charger is that even when turned off, stability control runs at 80% in the background. So yep, even with the big bad Hemi, you can only lay a patch 5'-0" long before the eletronic mother pulls throttleout and kills the fun.

i have a bad feeling if it is mandatory, there will not be any way to turn it off. At least no without pulling fuses, reprogramming or something else that will invoke the wrath of the safety nazis, liability lawyers and warranty voiding pinheads in corporate.