Regarding the comments from Alex and Karl on how confidence inspiring the S2000 can be (if setup for transitional stability)...the AP2 version has a vastly different feel than any other car I've driven. Of the fast runs I've had in Karl's car not one of them has "felt" fast from inside of the car, they were all uneventful IIRC (i.e., the car was generally locked down and slithering a little bit). When I crossed the finish line for Run #1 the first day of Nationals I told myself that I had just driven like a pansey, then they announce I'm leading - I was shocked (I ended the heat in 2nd place). I felt the same way on the next run with similiar positive results and position. This has pretty much been a trend with that car.
The S2000s best times don't come from overdriving, it likes inputs to do be done early, slow and smooth. There are only two exceptions to this rule (use them don't abuse them)
1) In tighter low to medium speed corners it responds better to quicker throttle imput due to the lack of low end torque, as it helps bring the rear end around.
2) In low speed corners if you are not on line you can simply "muscle" or quickly move the steering wheel to where you want to go and the car will respond - even if you are applying power. The chassis is great here as it allows you to make a correction that you can't get away with in many other cars. It's counterintuitive to do this, but it works when needed. Karl, this is what I was referring to in Toledo when we could not get the car to rotate in the low speed corners.
My experience with the AP1 is that it needs a little more slithering or rear end movement than the AP2 to be fast, not much more. That's probably due to smaller rear tires and different suspension geometry in the rear. In fact, Rick Butter's S2000 needed to be driven very hard and with the tail wagging a bit everywhere, but that was partially due to his old shocks. I pretty much got out of his car shaking last year at the NCAC in Danville after every run - it was a hairy ride, but a helluva lot of fun.
Nonetheless, setting an S2K up to be solid in transition makes it easy to drive - except when the VTEC kicks in - then it's a bloody handful.
Just my 2 cents.
Sincerely,
Chris Peterson's Husband
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