Who would be fastest around the Top Gear test track

[Mark]

We've seen F1 drivers have a go with the Suzuki Liana, most recently Lewis Hamilton. But if they let WRC drivers loose on there would they do any better?

[Daniel]

Who knows. I personally think when someone is quite in something with 4 wheels then they're quick full stop. Sebastien is testing a Renno F1 car soon. So we'll see how fast he is in an F1 car :)

[SGWilko]

We've seen F1 drivers have a go with the Suzuki Liana, most recently Lewis Hamilton. But if they let WRC drivers loose on there would they do any better?

I would have expected the 'Stig' to have been the out and out fastest, as he pounds round that track so often, and obviously has driven many laps in the Suzuki - it does not say much for him that he isn't.

If you go for the theoretical 'who would be quickest' and can include F1 drivers past and present, I reckon Jimmy Clark would be the fastest, as he was a natural in a saloon car.....

[OTA]

Hmm, A battle F1 vs rallying, long time no see. I guess in a track F1 drivers would have the edge while rally men would excel in roads. But drivers of the caliber of Seb, Marcus, Makinen, KKK, Sainz, Colin could put a fight to anyone.

I indeed would love to see Loeb doing a serious 2 or 3 days test in an F1 car.
Cheers
David

[PuddleJumper]

I was thinking the exact same thing last night Mark. I'd love to see Loeb or Grönholm have a go in the Liana because I reckon they could better the F1 drivers' attempts by using a bit of sideways corning at the Hammerhead and Gambon.

[passmeatissue]

I was thinking the exact same thing last night Mark. I'd love to see Loeb or Grönholm have a go in the Liana because I reckon they could better the F1 drivers' attempts by using a bit of sideways corning at the Hammerhead and Gambon.

I think sideways on tarmac would bring the little 100 bhp Liana almost to a dead stop, or I can just see a Scandinavian flick rolling it :eek: . But isn't Seb having a go in a Renault F1 soon? Also I see the Race of Champions has been dominated by rally men, though since going to a hard surface in Paris it's been 50/50.

The trouble is that the TG format means the driver has to do the Clarkson interview as well, which probably rules out at least 80% of them (Kimi? MS? FA? - don't think so!)

[ChrisS]

I was thinking the exact same thing last night Mark. I'd love to see Loeb or Grönholm have a go in the Liana because I reckon they could better the F1 drivers' attempts by using a bit of sideways corning at the Hammerhead and Gambon.

front wheel drive car without any power, I dont think I think sideways is possible.

I think a touring car driver will be able to make the most out of the car. Top Gear should have Andy Priaulx race the Liana

[Dave B]

This is exactly why the Race of Champions is so fascinating: drivers from different disciplines in equal equipment on the same track :D

[Daniel]

This is exactly why the Race of Champions is so fascinating: drivers from different disciplines in equal equipment on the same track :D
Then you get rally fans bitching about how it sucks because the track is asphalt and how it favours F1 driverzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz and that sends me straight to sleep.

[passmeatissue]

Then you get rally fans bitching about how it sucks because the track is asphalt and how it favours F1 driverzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz and that sends me straight to sleep.

Somebody bitching? That's so negative!!! Hope they're not going to make it even worse by bitching about something that hasn't actually even happened.

Anyway.....RoC sucks because the track is asphalt and it favours F1 .


(has it worked yet?)

:D

[SGWilko]

Then you get rally fans bitching about how it sucks because the track is asphalt and how it favours F1 driverzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz and that sends me straight to sleep.

Nah, I find if I sleep on the edge of the bed I soon drop off.............

[jonny hurlock]

I like to see both Schumachers, Colin McRae if he still alive, Kimi, Mika Hakkinen, Massa, Alonso, DC, Sebastien Loeb, on the Top Gear Track

[MrJan]

Burnsie would have been quick, very smooth. Failing that you've got to say the tarmac guys like Seb or Gilles. Don't think Marcus would be that quick because he never has been super quick on asphalt. As for beating the F1 guys I'm not sure cos that time of Hamilton's was super fast, only .3 slower than the stig but it was a damp lap. One person I'd love to see do it is Ari, bet he could get the thing well sideways :D

[RallyfanNZ]

Its not hard to get a front skidder sideways. It just scrubs off too much speed.

You'd probably find that most WRC drivers around the track would be straight and fast. Its not a circuit car, but its not an SUV either.

[Janne]

One guy who could be fast in that Liana is Roman Kresta

[Brown, Jon Brow]

What about a touring car driver with front wheel drive experience like Plato, Giovanardi or Yvan Muller. Muller is the best front wheel drive around IMO.


It wouldn't shock me if Plato was one of 'The Stigs'.

[Dave B]

Keep in mind that Jason is a presenter on Fifth, not Top Gear ;)

[tsarcasm]

Ham did pretty good last night!!

[ShiftingGears]

What about a touring car driver with front wheel drive experience like Plato, Giovanardi or Yvan Muller. Muller is the best front wheel drive around IMO.


It wouldn't shock me if Plato was one of 'The Stigs'.

Probably not. Unless Muller is as talented as Lewis Hamilton. It doesn't really matter what kind of cars the drivers race, the most talented drivers adapt to whatever car they're given, and are fast no matter what they're used to.

For instance, Bernd Rosemeyer was instantly fast in the recalcitrant Auto Union Type C, having never raced a car before. And Jim Clark was known for only needing one lap to test and adjust car setups - any more and he'd subconsciously get used to it, and be unwilling to change the settings.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Keep in mind that Jason is a presenter on Fifth, not Top Gear ;)

So why is there videos of Plato driving around Brands Hatch on Top Gears website? :p

[1LM1]

Seb Loeb would be fast. Why ? Because he knows how to go fast with a FWD car. He used to race with Peugeot 106, Saxo kit car, Xsara Kit car and was pretty fast.


Most F1 drivers only know RWD. Am I mistaken?

[Mark]

Most F1 drivers only know RWD. Am I mistaken?

Very true, all single seaters from Karts up to Formula 1 are all RWD.

[1LM1]

It wouldn't shock me if Plato was one of 'The Stigs'.


I agree with that. Eric Helary once said that the most difficult car he had to drive in a race in his entire life was the Opel touring car. Why? Because it was FWD.

So only a specialist can go fast with such a car.

[Daniel]

I agree with that. Eric Helary once said that the most difficult car he had to drive in a race in his entire life was the Opel touring car. Why? Because it was FWD.

So only a specialist can go fast with such a car.
RWD is easy to drive fast. Difficult to master.
FWD is hard to drive fast. Extremely difficult to master.

[1LM1]

RWD is easy to drive fast. Difficult to master.
FWD is hard to drive fast. Extremely difficult to master.

Agree 100 %.

[WRCfan]

There was a touring car driver in New Zealand, Angus Fogg who drove Mini's (1300cc) for years, stepped up to a pro-built Primera touring car, then went to a Bluebird touring car. After a long time campaigning FWD touring cars he stepped into a V8 Australian Supercar and JUST COULDN'T get the hang of RWD. So im imagine in many instances it's the same for the guys going RWD - FWD.

Would definately be a mission and take some pure skill and talent...

[I am evil Homer]

Same happened with Mark Skaife...couldn't drive FWD 2l touring car at all.

I think Loeb or one of the current BTCC/WTCC drivers would be extremely quick.

[miksu]

Heikki Kovalainen masters both rally and road cars quite damn well, so i would say him.

[Daniel]

Same happened with Mark Skaife...couldn't drive FWD 2l touring car at all.

I think Loeb or one of the current BTCC/WTCC drivers would be extremely quick.
Loeb is a natural with most things :) He can also drive a Le Mans proto quite well too ;)

[PuddleJumper]

front wheel drive car without any power, I dont think I think sideways is possible.
Did you not see James Blunt doing his lap, or Jennifer Saunders last week? They both managed to get the car sliding.

[Zico]

I think sideways on tarmac would bring the little 100 bhp Liana almost to a dead stop, or I can just see a Scandinavian flick rolling it :eek: . But isn't Seb having a go in a Renault F1 soon? Also I see the Race of Champions has been dominated by rally men, though since going to a hard surface in Paris it's been 50/50.

Totally agree, it was interesting to see Lewis "railing" the car (ie not sideways) to put in a fantastic time on a wet track. the width of the track and the fact that Its too gutless to reward any other style also brings me to the same conclusion. However I also believe that the current breed of WRC drivers who learned their trade in FWD which suits the handling characteristics of the modern WRC cars would also be right up there.. especially Loeb.

[F1boat]

I think that Montoya will be very fast.

[passmeatissue]

I think they should build the idea up, cut out the studio interview in front of an audience with being asked about their pubic hair etc., and just have a few words at the track. Have The Stig do a lap at the same time to give a proper reference for the conditions, and ballast for weight differences.

But now, do you think the others are intimidated by Hammy's time, or motivated to gave a go at it?

[spudrsca]

Duval could be also fast, He was very fast in the saxo challenge in Belgium, in the roc in the Canaria, he was very very fast with the Yaris, beating Loeb in junior roc, and he was fast with the whale puma.

[MrJan]

Top Gear is an entertainment programme now, not just about cars. The idea behind the interview is to interest those who aren't all about cars.


Interesting that Lewis took what JC calls 'the Stig's line' through the first corner and not that of the other F1 drivers, maybe that is the secret.

[SteveA]

Maybe Lewis is one of the Stigs!

[GP-M3]

I think they should build the idea up, cut out the studio interview in front of an audience with being asked about their pubic hair etc., and just have a few words at the track.

Dreadful... couldn't agree more.

[ioan]

The offseason is rather boring this year. :rolleyes:

[Ranger]

The offseason is rather boring this year. :rolleyes:
Well what did you expect? :p :

[Osella]

Considering they gave Lawrence Dallaglio an improved time based on the fact that he's 21 stone, shouldn't Hamilton have been...umm...ballasted or something!?! He's about 5'5", and not exactly Nigel Mansell is he... ;)

I think it'd be fun to get Armin Schwarz in the car. Not because he'd be fastest, but it'd sure as hell be fun to watch! I'd love to se Loeb in that car, I think he would be right up there, but the ultimate would be to get Michael Schumacher in!!... :p

[sal]

Any rally driver would take a bigger cut on the second to last corner so may make up some time there..

[ioan]

Well what did you expect? :p :

Well ... some more intelligent topics wouldn't be that hard to come up with.

After the "punching&fighting" one I guess the next thread will be about who will be able to go deeper in a scuba diving competition in a 20 inch deep bathtub.

[Rollo]

front wheel drive car without any power, I dont think I think sideways is possible.
Timo Mäkinen practically invented the Scandanavian Flick in none other than the Mini Cooper S.

I'm throwing in another vote of Seb Loeb. Arguably the best rally driver of the past twenty years (Tommi Mäkinen being the argument) he's pretty well proven on tarmac and FWD.

[passmeatissue]

Timo Mäkinen practically invented the Scandanavian Flick in none other than the Mini Cooper S.

I'm throwing in another vote of Seb Loeb. Arguably the best rally driver of the past twenty years (Tommi Mäkinen being the argument) he's pretty well proven on tarmac and FWD.

We ought to factor in that a roadgoing mini weighed 617 kg, was very low, and was pretty stiffly sprung even before rally preparation. Also the surface is a big factor, normally small slip angles are faster on tarmac even with plenty of power, unless it's a complete hairpin.

But I agree about Loeb, it would be great to see him do the lap. But he wouldn't fancy the interview. At least we'll get to see him at the RoC.

[SGWilko]

Well ... some more intelligent topics wouldn't be that hard to come up with.

After the "punching&fighting" one I guess the next thread will be about who will be able to go deeper in a scuba diving competition in a 20 inch deep bathtub.

After you then buddy, I am sure you can fink of loads of topics to start a thread with.

If you don't like the threads, rather than moan ioan, stay away.......

[SGWilko]

rather than moan ioan,

Good lord, I am a poet, but didn't noet! ;)

[Daniel]

Good lord, I am a poet, but didn't noet! ;)

I think you'll actually find Ioan isn't pronounced i-own so it's doesn't rhyme.

[SGWilko]

I think you'll actually find Ioan isn't pronounced i-own so it's doesn't rhyme.

Tsk.

[Carlo]

There is only one Stig and that is the real one and he could still do the job today

[Livewireshock]

Just wondering though, if they created a Rally driver lap board, I guess they would have to drive the new car & not the Lacetti. Which makes comparisons a moot topic.

[Ranger]

Well ... some more intelligent topics wouldn't be that hard to come up with.

After the "punching&fighting" one I guess the next thread will be about who will be able to go deeper in a scuba diving competition in a 20 inch deep bathtub.

We get enough intense debates during the actual season! We need a break! :D :p :

I actually think this is an interesting off-season. An intense silly season is just winding down, there are several legal battles fought and still ongoing, and a certain 7xWDC was back in action.

I think that's pretty decent myself. :p :

[Garry Walker]

Michael Schumacher and Sebastien Loeb.