Honda track day (Keep reading)

[Tony 156]

went along to a honda on track (HOT) track day yesterday, was good fun and found a few things out.

Mainly the rumor that the ibiza in standard set up up dosnt handle well, is complete rubbish.

Take into account there were several DC5 integras, DC2 integras, New civic R's and one race preped CRX among other well tuned road civics and CRX's

tight handling section, within top 10 (out of 30)

second tight handling section 2nd best time only beaten by civic typr R tuned for tracks.

Salalom section, 2nd best time, only beaten by a saxo and a CRX (not the race preped one) who equaled the best time.

so where does the idea the Ibiza dosnt handle come from, or is it down to the driver?

 

[Jonzy]

Experience tells me that the ibiza is ****, in fact dangerous in standard trim.

 

[nick s]

hmm interesting. the bilstein dampers and eibach srpings have deinfately helped my bezzer handling wise. is yours standard setup or aftermarket? could well be that your a decent driver aswell.

i did find mine dangerous on some bends when standrad actually, slid all over the place. understeer all of a sudden snaps into oversteer!

 

[Jonzy]

understeer all of a sudden snaps into
oversteer!

sums up the ibizas standard handling perfectly

 

[Tony 156]

my car is totaly standard apart from the exhaust and induction kit. the suspension is totaly standard.

Also these times were done with the TCS turned off and were alot quicker, just to note.

 

[Barry.L]

u sure you havent got seat sport suspension? i didnt realise i had it on mine until i went out in another ibiza with standard suspension and the ride was a lot poorer.

 

[Tony 156]

dont think i have, ive replaced the rear with the standar cupra sport dampners. as far as i know its standard cupra spec.

 

[acidstrato]

obviously youre either blinded by the cupra badge or you've never driven anything else, tegs an civics will rip a stock ibiza apart on the twisties

but testing against different drivers, who may not be willing to push as much as you proves nothing im afraid

 

[ibizacupra]

....... or is it down to the driver?

*bing*

 

[DIFT]

MK4 cupras are even better!

If your being serious, I dont want to drive a standard mk3 cupra! When pushing hard at high speeds in a mk4 cupra the back does like to move around alot under braking. Not pleasent when braking hard into paddock and the likes. Although even when I get really aggressive, it has never made me pay for my lack of skill.

 

[edc]

TBH good handling doesn't necessarily mean a fast car. A standard 3 series or standard Focus has IMO better handling but are probably not as quick.

 

[seli_babe]

Maybe Tony_156 don't drive it as hard??

I found when my CTR went in to get the rear wheels aligned correctly the handeling was rubbish.. when I bought it the offset was wrong so the inner of the wheels had warn pretty much bald but the outter and middle was still well over limit..

But having it set how they should have been set from factory was pants compared to how it was when I bought it.. but it was still 10 times (if not more) better than Mikes Mk3 Cupra before he put spacers on it.. they made a lot of difference believe it or not..

 

[Tony 156]

did i not mention the race preped CRX?

iv never had a problem with the handling, maybe a bit twitchy under breaking but thats it. i got through two front tyres yesterday (in the wet) and not really through wheel spin.

ive driven a fair few cars and a focus is definatly not better, safer maybe.

the high speed corner proved a bit much, understeer yes but never over steer, and was matching the hondas speeds trough it.

maybe it is the driver then?

 

[Jonzy]

So your saying a cupra is better than a standard focus, complete and utter shite. The focus is an amazing handling car out the box, even base models. Theyd **** all over a standard cupra in the bends.

 

[Tony 156]

you a ford sales man per chance?

i fail to see it, roll to much, dont grip to well and they are heavier.

but before this turns into a cat fight, maybe its down to opinon on this.

 

[Jonzy]

No, but the focus is a great package. Ive ragged the tits off both, focus wins everytime.

 

[biggaz]

I reckon my beeza is pretty much borderline dangerous handling wise, back end is everywhere?

 

[Tony 156]

ok, im guna say then that i havnt got a ibiza but rather somthing else in an ibiza shell then.

 

[PhilW]

My car scares me quite often and i'm on decent rubber, coilovers, braces etc...

No way would i choose my car over a focus handling wise.

 

[Tony 156]

well im guna say its me then, not going to say im a better driver cause i dont know, but ive never had a moment in mine that has induced fear.