Drivers’ views differ on rear-wheel-drive revamp

Although a wheel has not been turned in anger in the 2015 British Touring Car season, the debate between rear-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive drivetrains appears to be rearing its head once again.

One of the biggest talking points of the 2014 season was that the rear-wheel-drive cars had a much better drive off the line, to the effect that if a rear-wheel-drive qualified on the second row it was almost a given that they’d be in the lead by the first corner.

New regulations for 2015 will attempt to reduce this advantage, as well as weight ballast now being pushed to the front of the car to try and equalise the front-wheel-drive disadvantage of having a much heavier front end.

However, last season’s runner up – and highest placed front-wheel-drive competitor – Jason Plato, feels that this will not be enough.

“Even Stevie Wonder could see the balance between FWD and RWD wasn’t right. How they’re going to compensate for the 200 kilos we’re heavier on the front axles than the BMWs I don’t know, because that was it is. I’ve not seen any proposals on how they’re going to adjust that.”

However, rear-wheel-drive stalwart Rob Austin, who drives the Audi A4, believes that the organisers are in danger of favouring the front-wheel-drive too much.

“I think it’s a real shame that TOCA are giving in to peer pressure. They’ve taken steps to equalise our advantage which is fine, but at the same time, if they’re going to do that they should equalise the front-wheel-drive advantage.

“Personally, I think as it was it worked out all-in-all on a par, I spoke to Colin, who’s now converted to FWD from RWD and he said there’s not a lot in it. Now there will be something in it now there will be now there’s a FWD advantage. It is what it is and hopefully they won’t get too carried away with it.”