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Expert: - 1/2/2010


Question
Dan, I've been thinking about racing a front wheel drive car on a road course(LEGALLY).I've modified rear wheel drive cars for racing by welding the pinion/side gear in the differential.What do front wheel drive racers do when the inside wheel gets light in a hard turn.If I weld the gears on a frt.whl.dr.,will I be able to steer the vehicle in a paved pit area?

Answer
Most of us install a limited slip diff of one type or another.  Plenty of them around for VWs Honda's, and stuff of that sort.

I've never hears of anyone welding the diff in a FWD car, I imagine it would be a bear to steer, and probably wouldn't work real well on the race track.

I would suggest you avoid Mitsubischi's, and of course the domestic stuff.  The 90's Honda three door hatch backs are popular as are Rabbits, and the larger Rabbit style VW.s  many of them are class winners.  I'm hard nosed and race a 1970 Datsun 510 with rear wheel drive, and independent rear suspension.

I wish I had more info but at least you got a quick answer

Good luck

Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida

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Dan Liddy

Expertise

Anything concerning race cars, 20 years competition experience, Senior Competition Driver Instructor , car builder, mechanic, welding, fabrication, tuning , engine modifications, set up, suspension design. Specializing in Datsun/Nissan products. Please submit questions about RACE CARS ONLY. No street cars, no video game scenarios Thank you.

Experience

I have been racing for 20 years, I have been the Central Florida SCCA Regional Championship points for 5 years running, and won the championship in my class 2 times. During my first start in the 60's I won many solo awards and the State Championship Drags. I serve as a senior instructor for SCCA, and have taught in Mercedes AMG events at Daytona, and Dodge Viper Days at Sebring International. I have been in the thick of the competition for all of my career. At one time or another I have driven race cars at speeds nearing 195 MPH. It's quite a ride !

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