Slalom vs. Skidpad

This just something I always wondered about, and perhaps you guys can answer this for me. Between Slalom and Skidpad, which of the two is the most effective and accurate measuring stick of a cars handling abilities?

This just something I always wondered about, and perhaps you guys can answer this for me. Between Slalom and Skidpad, which of the two is the most effective and accurate measuring stick of a cars handling abilities?

I would say either. There is no measurement for handling.

How about how fast you can take a turn without sliding into the grass? That's a test of handling!

Skidpad is less dependant on the driver, and therefore makes a better comparision of traction, but the slalom takes into account many more variables, to compare the skidpad with the slalom is kind of like comparing apples with oranges.

I'd say lateral acceleration would be the best determinant for a car's handling. That and weight, which effects braking.

Handling is really a combination of these two factors and a few other variables. It is more of a subjective term than a measurable one. Lateral g-force, measured on the skidpad, is a measurement of ultimate grip/roadholding. Slalom speed is a measure of transitional stability. Other factors that influence handling are surface damping, braking, drive wheel(s), steering effort and feedback.

If you wish to compare cars on this basis, then either drive them yourself and make up your own mind, or look to autocross and track times to give you an indication.

Cheers,
Brian

I'd tend to choose skidpad. If a car has an incredible skidpad they will likely have a good or reasonably good slalom speed. A good slalom speed does not dictate a good skidpad though. Furthermore, skidpad will ultimately end be giving you the most time on a track due to this.

The problem with both of these tests is that they are both extremely dependent on alignment and tires. Changing either can have a huge impact on both slalom and skidpad numbers.

The problem with both of these tests is that they are both extremely dependent on alignment and tires. Changing either can have a huge impact on both slalom and skidpad numbers.

I completely agree...I assume we are talking stock performance though.

my thoughts as well...
stock for both, so it's a fair comparison

Most people don't truly understand how course dependent a car's performance is. To illustruate this, imagine a low speed slalom. The fastest way through the slalom is to keep a constant pace. Now take 2 cars, a miata and a Z06. The miata will outpace the corvette because its compactness allows it to take a tighter line. Space the slalom further apat enough, and there is enough room for acceleration to play a part, the results might be different. Now look at skidpad results, the corvette has better skipad numbers. What does this all mean? Neither number is an perfect gauge of handling abilities. But skipad numbers will give you a rough idea of how well the car sticks in a corner, and the slalom times will give you a rough idea of how the car sticks and how fast the car transitions. What skidpad numbers won't reflect is how well tuned the shocks are for example. The slalom if space out enough will be affected by power as well, degrading its value as a measure of handling and just handling.

Let me add that skipad numbers are skewed by the tires the car came with just like slalom times can be skewed by tires and wheelbase. On very good tires, a lousy suspension can pull some fairly skidpad good numbers. But even a great suspension will have a hard time making good numbers on cheap tires.

Most people don't truly understand how course dependent a car's performance is. To illustruate this, imagine a low speed slalom. The fastest way through the slalom is to keep a constant pace. Now take 2 cars, a miata and a Z06. The miata will outpace the corvette because its compactness allows it to take a tighter line. Space the slalom further apat enough, and there is enough room for acceleration to play a part, the results might be different. Now look at skidpad results, the corvette has better skipad numbers. What does this all mean? Neither number is an perfect gauge of handling abilities. But skipad numbers will give you a rough idea of how well the car sticks in a corner, and the slalom times will give you a rough idea of how the car sticks and how fast the car transitions. What skidpad numbers won't reflect is how well tuned the shocks are for example. The slalom if space out enough will be affected by power as well, degrading its value as a measure of handling and just handling.

Thank you for the information.

I would say either. There is no measurement for handling.

I would have to agree. Afterall, the McLaren F1, the finest road legal car ever made, got a .86g on the skidpad. That throws out the skidpad in my mind. Also, as stated before, the slalom is very inconsistent.

I see what your saying, I guess the best test is to see how they perform on the track or drive them myself. Still people don't like that, most people just have to know how a car does, some sort of measurement. So I also agree it's a combination of both, so if car A does a .99g on a skidpad and runs a 70.9MPH slalom and car B on the same skidpad does a .86g and on the same slalom runs a 65.4MPH slalom, one could assume that car A is the better handler. I guess when the numbers are really close, or one is better in the skidpad, and the other is better in the slalom, or vice versa, the only way to get an accurate sense of what is better is to try both cars out.

Quite right. There is a breaking point in which the numbers do clearly reflect something, but get any closer to that point and they start to lose a lot of meaning very quickly. That's the main reason why I read evo and Car now instead of R&T and CD. The british mags seem to do more subjective comparative testing not just relying on numbers to state their case. And since the cars that I'm really interested in reading about are all so close in the numbers, evo is the only thing to really scratch that itch.

Their are a lot of different areas that contribute to the handling characteristics of a car. Chasis, weight distribution, suspension setup, transmission/engine systems, tyres, aerodynamics, and steering (I may be forgetting others) all play roles on how a car handles. All of these factors need to be compensated to achieve the desired outcome.

Using a skidpad to measure handling is very controversal in which most skidpads have preset parameters (300foot or whatever test). This doesn't relate to any type of dynamic conditions that could be faced. Conditions such as cornering at various degrees, different surfaces, whether or not they are under loads of acceleration/braking, etc. In this sense a skidpad (that you would get from a C&D or whatnot) will only tell you how well it will do in that particular situation. The same can apply with the slalom. Its almost like taking a math test. It will only test what you know in that particular study. It does not exactly determine how smart (IQ) the test taker is.

As others said, the best way to determine the feel of a car is to drive it, and test it under dynamic conditions.