The Racing Line Goes Over Differences Between RWD, FWD, and AWD

On the street, it may not matter which wheels propel your vehicle. But on the track, drivetrain layout has a big influence on how you approach corners and get around the course. That’s what Randy Pobst talks about on the latest episode of “The Racing Line.”

Pobst begins by going over the differences between rear-, front-, and all-wheel drive. Front-engine, rear-drive setups offer balanced performance on track, and as many of you already know, it’s one of the more fun layouts thanks to its easy drifting ability. Front-drive is trickier to deal with on track, as the front wheels are doing the majority of the work. That means you can’t ask them to do too much all at once or else you’ll overheat your tires. Last but not least, all-wheel drive offers stability and traction at the cost of extra weight.

Next, Pobst goes over how to tackle corners with each drive type. Rear-drive again has an advantage here as it can rotate the rear end to point the car in the direction you want to go. Front-drive requires finesse, but can get through a turn easier using trail braking. If the car begins to fishtail, you can straighten out with a little application of the throttle. Finally, Pobst explains how an all-wheel-drive car behaves on track depends on the power distribution between the front and rear wheels. But however the power is split, you’ll benefit from intense grip and explosive acceleration coming out of a corner.

Check out the episode below to learn how to master your drive type of choice.

 

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