In a message dated 01/19/2000 8:32:59 PM Eastern Standard Time,
drded@ix.netcom.com writes:
<< I attended Skip Barber Driving School and we did " theshold braking" on the
"skidpad". First we tried braking with ABS engaged on Dodge Neons from a
speed of 50 MPH and the stopping distance was measured. We then switched off
the ABS in the same cars and practiced braking using our own senses to avoid
lockup and with all but one of the eight people in the class, stopping
distance was decreased without using ABS. >>
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That's right. Threshold braking slows the car better than locking the
wheels. ABS locks the wheels, releases them, locks them again, releases,
etc., so they are locked for some amount of time, which means you are
actually skidding.
The advantage with ABS is for the average driver who has no skill at all. In
a panic stop, he/she is going to lock the wheels and lose control of the car.
Skip Barber taught you how to control the car by braking at the threshold of
locking up, thereby stopping in the shortest distance possible. Most people
on the roads today haven't had any real driver training and lack these skills.
Allen Hefner
Philly Region SCCA Rally Steward
'77 Midget
'92 Mitsubishi Expo LRV Sport
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