re: limits found

[Dana Loomis <dloomis@domain.elided>]

"brad" wrote: 
> Just recently found the limits of my spider 
> today after fish-tailing into a turn at 40mph on dry asphalt...
>Can others relate to this experience?

to which Russ Neely replied:
>I am not clear if you were power oversteering or if the rear end came 
>out in braking.  The Alfa spider will do both.

With all due respect to Russ, I would suspect another condition, called
drop throttle oversteer.  It's a classic mistake for drivers who are just
starting to push the performance envelope: go into a corner a little hotter
than before (maybe running wide of the apex), get scared, pull out of the
throttle, and *SNAP*, the car is sideways.  Spiders are susceptible to this
because of the long overhang and lack of weight in the rear.  Power
oversteer is possible, but Spiders generally don't have the power to break
the rear wheels loose in 4th of 5th gear on dry pavement.  

I'd second Russ's recommendation.  Go to an autocross or sign up for a
high-speed driving school with an Alfa club near you.

Dana Loomis
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