Problems when flying in my R8

[harrison]

I sometimes have to shut off the ESP/traction controll several times. I have the feeling that if the R8 gets even slightly airborne the ESP turns back on AUTOMATICALLY. Could this be?????

[willyjp]

I sometimes have to shut off the ESP/traction controll several times. I have the feeling that if the R8 gets even slightly airborne the ESP turns back on AUTOMATICALLY. Could this be?????

When your transponder squawks "airborne", the FAA ARTC in Palmdale is remotely swithching on your ESP...per FAA air traffic regulations!

Seriously, that's a good question! Could be when the traction/yaw/attitude controller processor detects loss of contact with ground (diverging wheel speeds?), it throws everything available into the mix in hope of keeping you on the road?

[desperado]

I don't have a definitive answer for you, but there are several places where the car gets light: Cotton Corner at Buttonwillow (I posted a pic somewhere EDIT: Here), Zora's Drop at Spring Mountain, and to some extent the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca. I've never seen the traction control turn back on. (I haven't been turning off ESP, so can't comment on that.)

[KfabR8]

Long shot here and based on an old Toyota pick up truck:

When I would launch the old Toyota (when playing on the beach in the sand dunes), the rear brakes would lock up when the suspension would hit full droop as there was a link between the rear member and a small master cylinder on one of the rear frame members.

It was also removed once I figured out what was going on and I had no more lock up issues. That stuff is hard on the drive train when touching down w/locked up wheels.

It seems like I heard (this has been close to 30 years ago) that it was some sort of DOT assigned safety feature.

I wonder if this is something that's common on all road going cars in the US?

I believe that I recall seeing a small potentiometer system attached to the rear sway bar while I was inspecting the failed rear toe control link. It may be responsible for what you're experiencing.

[harrison]

I don't turn the ESP completely off. I only click the ESP button once. Clicking the ESP button twice shuts down the ABS too, no? Am I ready to try tracking with the ABS off as well? Need your help here Bodhii. I am tracking this Sat. , and against guys with a lot more power (as usual). Maybe the ABS (when activate and agitated) re-enables the traction controll?

[ianerrid]

Nope, nothing turns off the ABS!

[mngolfer]

Harrison,
IMHO You are a braver man than I am turning off the ESP.

There are very few on this forum that have enough experience (20 plus events) to take the chance of turning off the ESP. When you combine no ESP and track tires you are asking for trouble with a capital T. I don't want to see you or your car damaged due to turning the ESP off.

I would enjoy hearing a comment on this subject from Mothertucker. He is a VERY experienced tracker and nationally certified instructor for PCA, AUDI and BMW. Others with his level of experience, i.e. Bodhill, would like your comments also.

Today I feel like an old man cautioning people not to speed and don't turn off the ESP. I was told by the head instructor for AUDI AG while at the National ACNA event last year in October to leave everything on and be safe. There must be a reason it is there, but they also allow us to turn if off.

[desperado]

I have found that putting the stability systems into their Sport mode with a single push of the ESP button is helpful in certain situations where the car decides it may be losing control of traction. Examples which come to mind are turns with a lot of vertical, such as the dip exiting turn 5 at Spring Mountain, or turn 6 (the Carousel) at Sears Point.

Activating the sport mode

If required (for instance if you want to use the launch control), you can switch the traction control system (ASR) and electronic stabilisation program (ESP) to sport mode by pressing the button once. The ESP warning lamp will light up and the message ASR off will appear in the driver information system display. The amount of wheel slip is regulated according to the road speed. You should only use this feature if your driving ability and traffic conditions allow you to do so safely.

Whether for normal driving or on the track, I have never found any need to turn off ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Program), which is done by holding down the button.

Switching off the ESP and traction control system (ASR)

To switch off the ASR and ESP in certain situations (e.g. when driving with snow chains, in deep snow, or on a loose surface, or when rocking the car backwards and forwards to free it from mud) press the button for longer than 3 seconds. The ESP warning lamp will light up and the message ESP switched off will appear in the driver information system display. You should only use this feature if your driving ability and traffic conditions allow you to do so safely.

The owner's manual also explains the functions of ESP in more detail.

[harrison]

Thanks MNGOLFER and Desparado. My first instructor at my first HPDE (Audi) was Deeno Deeniham. I feel very blessed to have been egged on by Desparado to track my car. And to fall under Deenos' tutelige ... changed the way I roll around in my Audi....FIRST thing he showed me was to put her in sport mode and press the ESP button once and let her rip.This is how I roll everyday and every nite. Only exception is when I am in crazy,sickarshe traffic, then I leave the ESP on in case I have to avoid someone in a real dangerous situation. Mag ride on always untill the girls' breasts can't handle the shaking anymore!! My favorite lessons from Deeno were on braking. Brake hard and fast while car is straight and avoid any unsettling moves. Desparado...again I ask -what are your times at Buttonwillow cw13? Your computers and GPS and videos should give us a clue. How many seconds do you beleive your added H.P. will erase?? (in the R8). I can't wait to see how your 2 wheel drive ZO6 monster does out there!! See u Sat.

[SDR8]

...your 2 wheel drive ZO6 monster...

Wrong version, ZR1.

Have fun this weekend and keep the shinny side up.