Originally posted by Integrity
The S2000 has what? 150 ft/lbs of torque? Its still a contender on any road course. With it's light weight, you can enter the turns faster. By entering the turns faster, you exit the turns faster, thereby negating the need for "low end torque to pull you out of the turns."
V8 power doesn't need high rpms to put out power? It woudn't make shit if it couldn't rev past 1000rpms would it? Torque is no more significant than horsepower and vice versa.
The S2000 is not a great handler believe it or not. I can scan to e-mail you an article about that if you want to see it in print.
ANYWAY, this isn't about the S2000 or specific models.....agreed.
NOW, how do you propose to stay above 6000 rpm on a corner that is a very tight that would be found on a course like Sears point? Maybe if you are geared right, you could do it. BUT, a steep hill still provides a challenge. And comparing the 4.6 V8 to this S2000to show torque wins races is justified by that article I told you about with the Cobra. The Cobra ran 2 secs faster on the road course. I can let you see the article.
You still have not cited the point about stock car racing and short tracks where you run in one gear. You can not play in this league unless you have big torque. And also, in many racing leagues you have restrictions for horsepower like we talked about earlier.....in those cases (which is the norm) torque is the ticket. Only in short street races can you defy this rule where you can have any car race any other car......like a Civic vs an old heavy, underpowered V8 like a Caravelle station wagon or something.
Lastly, you can not exit the turn fast just cause you get in fast. Understeer prevents front wheel drive cars from being effective. And, getting the corner is all a driving talent..........anyone can drive hard into a corner if they are experienced.......watch short track stock car races and see who wins and watch their technique......mostly these guys are masters at braking hard in the corner.