Fast Cars Archives

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Racetrack Mistakes

23 May 2022 Robert Pepper

There’s plenty of mistakes made on racetracks, and they can end up rather expensive or painful. So I’m analysing a few in the hope of helping myself, and others not make those same mistakes again! 1. Lotus Elise Oversteer The first one is one of my own. What mistake was made to enter an oversteer […]

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Should you buy a cat or a Lotus Elise?

7 May 2022 Robert Pepper

This is not a question I get asked very often but as a service to my readers, I have conducted a comparative test. The answer is clear. A Lotus Elise will make you happier than a cat! And I should like to clarify – I am kind to cats.

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How to share the track on a trackday

22 April 2022 Robert Pepper

There are many resources in life that we must share. So it’s best for all, safest and most efficient, if we all cooperate. And that’s definitely true of track driving. Unfortuantely, there is often some selfish behaviour by some drivers. And in fairness, new drivers may not understand how to share. There’s also a bit […]

4X4

Yes, you can use cruise control in the wet

3 April 2022 Robert Pepper

There’s a persistent myth about not using cruise control in the wet. It is perpetutated by posts like this: I had a wreck a couple of weeks ago and totaled our Lincoln Town Car. I hydroplaned on Hwy 135 between Gladewater & Kilgore, Texas. I was not hurt, just emotionally rattled! I know the Lord […]

4X4

ECU tuning – a pro tuner’s honest view

16 March 2022 Robert Pepper

Modern vehicles have lots and lots of computers controlling every part of the vehicle’s systems and operation. And these computers have software which can be modified, and that changes the vehicle – power, efficiency, driveability and much more. Sounds good, right? Well, this is life and there’s no upside that doesn’t also have a downside. […]

4X4

Why “turn into the skid” is wrong

25 February 2022 Robert Pepper

If you do any car control course, and you should if you’re into any form of motorsport of offroading, then you’ll need to learn the art and science of skid recovery. You may be told “turn into the skid” or “countersteer” or “turn out of the skid”. This isn’t wrong, but it’s not that helpful. […]

4X4

How expensive must petrol be to make owning an electric vehicle cost-effective for the average Aussie?

22 February 2022 Robert Pepper

The ABC recently published an article claiming that petrol prices would need to jump to around $3.85/L for EVs to be cost-effective. I think that’s understating it, and also missing the point. The real point is this. EVs cost significantly less to run than ICE cars, but are presently significantly more expensive. Right now, the […]

4X4

Brake traction control vs electronic stability control vs engine traction control – know your electronic traction systems

19 February 2022 Robert Pepper

Electronic traction systems have been around for 25 or so years now, so it’s about time everyone learned how they work and what they are. The term traction control is an umbrella term used for several different, but related traction technologies. It is important to understand the differences: There is Brake Traction Control (BTC) which […]

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Does the Hyundai i20N have a rev-hang problem?

11 February 2022 Robert Pepper

There have been questions over the i20N’s rev-hang issue. Rev-hang is when you dip the clutch but the revs don’t really drop, and it’s engineered to some degree or another into modern cars for emissions reasons. I didn’t notice a problem with any N car including the i20N, but then again, I only drove the […]

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Testing Hyundai’s i20N, i30N, i30 Sedan N and Kona N on a racetrack

10 February 2022 Robert Pepper

It’s not unusual for carmakers to hold events where journalists get to drive sports cars on track. Usually these are rather contrived affairs; you’re limited in what you can switch off on the car, often you have to follow a pro driver, and there’s only a handful of laps. So it’s fun, but not enough […]

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