rs3 track capability

[SolarRS3]

I was just reading again about one lap of america and pete and micaiah incredible result and was wondering how does the RS3 fares at HPDE or open track day with proper suspension tuning/bushing/tires versus other track oriented cars. Every car magazine or reviewer tested the car with the shitty pirelli and always mention bad driving characteristic, but in my 2 autocross and spirited drive (no HPDE yet but upcoming this season) I had no issue driving good times vs M2s and focus RS.

My question is more along if this platform has a good ceiling of performance road racing.

[Flom Motorsports]

from what i've seen of people using the platform for motorsports, it's mainly just heavy for its size. everything else just depends on how much money you want to invest and how far you're willing to go to make it a motorsport beast

[Jeff_Jeske]

It really comes down to what you are after.... if it's results then this platform is unexpectedly fantastic. You can bolt a 710H turbo on to the car and have 700hp on tap. The TC makes rookies look like heros and the DCT removes all challenges with shifting, rev matching, left foot braking and other sources of manual error.

My first time tracking the car with a tune resulted in faster lap times than my fully built EVO9 with more power. It just simply allows you to focus on your line and fearlessly pushing the envelope rather than trying to contain oversteer and nailing each shift.

I'm not sure the driving experience is more exciting as you are relying more on the tech than driver skill but setting a personal best is always a good feeling. It still takes balls to accept the risk of running an expensive car on track and pushing it to the limit.

To answer your final question... a stage 2 E85 car is about 600HP. With some slightly stiffer springs, a good alignment and tires you could be the fastest thing on track. The only thing to keep in mind is conservation of the car. Give the beast a cool down lap from time to time and always run the best fuel you can.

[mbar]

This car can be really good on the track. You will need to remember two main points:
1. You need to learn how to drive a FWD car on the track in order to utilize its potential. Your RWD driving line and other technics are not the same.
2. This car is not track ready out of the box like an M2 / Camaro SS / Corvette. This is not just slapping pads and brake fluid. You will need at least ( in my opinion ) tires, intercooler, pads, front rotors, brake fluid, camber plates, alignment, rear sway bar and if it’s a high speed track a rear rotor upgrade ( to reduce happy tail under heavy braking).
$4000 of bolt ons and you are ready to go.Yes... Is it’s a bottomless pit, but I think this is the minimum if you are an intermediate driver or higher.

[V8Bait]

I grew up riding/tracking/karting/racing etc. I ran 2:00-2:01 pretty consistent at the local track on my street bike (full suspension slicks pipe quick shifter tune etc.) with the rs3 my first time out to the track on 200tw street tires I ran a 2:01 in my second session of the day.(I was in a session with point by passing only so I only got 1 lap with no traffic etc which was the 2:01...will be going back feb 8th I think I’m gonna do sub 2’s this next time out if I can get a few laps without traffic) I don’t think I would have come close to that time without the help of the camber plates, big rear sway bar, high temp brake fluid/pads and pure hybrid turbo. I must say I was able to run full 20 min sessions on a map that dynos around 615 wheel horsepower without overheating getting check engine lights etc. etc. stock motor trans car with regular bolt ons. this is the same track this comparison was made between a GT3 RS and the new 2020 gt500 stang. A professional driver ran 1:55.xx in both cars.

https://youtu.be/ogxgxNfjxlg

So to conclude I am no pro, I do love to race and compete at everything I do. The RS3 is an insane platform for the track with minimal mods! This car can take a beating

[SolarRS3]

Thanks to you all, really great info and make me feel better to go deeper with this platform road racing wise!

[beomoua]

You will need at least ( in my opinion ) tires, intercooler, pads, front rotors, brake fluid, camber plates, alignment, rear sway bar and if it’s a high speed track a rear rotor upgrade ( to reduce happy tail under heavy braking).

Agree hard braking at high speed is very unsettling. Two ways to combat that. A functional spoiler for additional downforce or larger rear brakes.

Here’s my functional yet very affordable fix.

https://ratifiedmotorsport.com/products/rs4-adapter

[TheContrarian]

Honestly, at the amateur rec level of autocross, time attack or general open lapping, driver skill is the biggest factor in going faster. I don't think a ton of upgrades are necessary except for something to add camber to avoid shredding tires and brake pads.

One area the RS3 excels at is the performance is approachable. The average driver will come a lot closer to maxing out the capabilities of an RS3 than a RWD platform that needs to balance on a knife edge to be fast.

[sti-tom]

With equal mods (RE-71r, brake pads and a rear bar) on both cars, I was 2 seconds faster with my RS3 over my 2015 Sti at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton (129.8 to 131.7). I tracked the STi about 3 different days and the RS3 only once. A buddy of mine who is a better driver than me (SCCA Nats Champion) brought out a new Supra and wasn't quite able to get into the 129's. Very low 130s but no 129. He was stock on as big off Re-71rs as he could squeeze onto the stock wheels. For reference I ran 124.2 in my 09 GTR with full suspension, old ass Hoosier A6's and 520whp.

[SolarRS3]

With equal mods (RE-71r, brake pads and a rear bar) on both cars, I was 2 seconds faster with my RS3 over my 2015 Sti at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton (129.8 to 131.7). I tracked the STi about 3 different days and the RS3 only once. A buddy of mine who is a better driver than me (SCCA Nats Champion) brought out a new Supra and wasn't quite able to get into the 129's. Very low 130s but no 129. He was stock on as big off Re-71rs as he could squeeze onto the stock wheels. For reference I ran 124.2 in my 09 GTR with full suspension, old ass Hoosier A6's and 520whp.

great result, was your RS3 stock power wise?

[sti-tom]

great result, was your RS3 stock power wise?

Yes, I am still running SCCA events in BS, so all I have is a K&N air filter.

[Sho Off]

Anyone able to share what rims and tires you're running.

Just finished my first time attack and am running stock sized staggered setup with Michelin ps4s. Not happy with the passenger front tire folding over. Running eurosport fixed mounts in front.

[NelsDMAX]

Running Signature wheels SV303, 9.5" front, 9.0" rear. Mich Cup 2 Connects up front, standard Cup 2 rears. 265/30R19 front, 235/35R19 rear. About 1.5" rear camber, 2.0 up front with Eurosport strut inserts. MSS track coils front, sport rear, Factory sway bars with Eurocode links. Also on DSC Sport shock controller. 034 rear trailing arms & subframe inserts, TTRS rear subframe Audi Sport brace, and Eurocode trunk brace. I think that is it for chassis stuff...

Car is neutral handling, tires have a stiff sidewall so no rollover issues. Consistently corner 1.5G plus without issues. Tire wear has been really good. Turn in is sharp and predictable. Mid corner stability is great (thanks to DSC Sport controller) and zero understeering issues. IG page rs3_nelsdmax for more info on the build.

[Harordr]

Not trying to thread jack but I just don't want to start a new thread for something very similar. I have never tracked my car and rarely drive it hard, except for a pull or two a couple times a week. I am going to an open track event and I want to make sure I have all the mods needed to not possibly cause harm. I currently am APR Stage 1 ecu tune, APR intake and inlet, pendulum mount with inserts, midpipes, and lowered with mps4 tires. I am getting the APR tcu tune this week and moving to APR stage 1+ tune. I am also getting an APR intercooler. Should this setup be ok to fun hard for a few laps?

Thanks in advance!

[S3DUDE]

I would seriously take the advise from Jeff_Jeske. The guy tries many set-ups and he competes at a very high level. My advise is to filter the feedback from people that actually installed suspension/brakes/tires/wheels components and tested them vs people that just gives an opinion but haven't installed any parts and/or never tracked the car. You can also check with 034 staff, they dedicate plenty of research on the handling department.

[NelsDMAX]

I'm by no means a Jeff-Jeske or even claim to be, as he know a ton about the platform on track and have much respect. But I have had my fair share of track time with the setup. For non-racers, just HPDE events, the listing of parts I gave allow it to perform well

[arulrs3]

Not trying to thread jack but I just don't want to start a new thread for something very similar. I have never tracked my car and rarely drive it hard, except for a pull or two a couple times a week. I am going to an open track event and I want to make sure I have all the mods needed to not possibly cause harm. I currently am APR Stage 1 ecu tune, APR intake and inlet, pendulum mount with inserts, midpipes, and lowered with mps4 tires. I am getting the APR tcu tune this week and moving to APR stage 1+ tune. I am also getting an APR intercooler. Should this setup be ok to fun hard for a few laps?

Thanks in advance!

Looks good. Brakes and Tires. PS4 are good for 3 hot laps before greasy.. any 200 tw tires should get you few days of HPDE. If stock rotors then get a good set of track pads and watch out for brake heating. I guess you are running OEM DOT 4 brake fluid.

[Harordr]

Thanks for the info. I don't plan to track it much, if any, after this event. I just want to try it out and see what its like but want to make sure I have a proper setup when I do to prevent any possible damage/issues.

[Sho Off]

Thanks for the info above. I'll reach out to Jeff and get some of his thoughts.

[King184]

from what i've seen of people using the platform for motorsports, it's mainly just heavy for its size. everything else just depends on how much money you want to invest and how far you're willing to go to make it a motorsport beast

The GTR is heavier and used by many as a track car.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

[8STTRS]

The GTR is heavier and used by many as a track car.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

Whew. That's some serious thread resurrection.

[BeastMaster]

I took my bone stock 2019 RS3 to Road Atlanta back in 2020. I was disappointed in its performance. I have driven FWD cars most of my life. I had a 2006 Charger SRT RWD, but the RS3 is my first AWD. The massive understeer exhibited on the RA track kept me from enjoying my track day. It handled like a pig, to say the least. I'd read that these cars can exhibit understeer, but was still surprised at just how much. There is an exit ramp I take frequently, with a decreasing radius turn. My 2016 FWD Hyundai Elantra GT manages to take that curve at least 4-5 mph faster than my Audi. I attribute that mainly to the Hyundai's 400lb lighter curb weight.

I have gone to RA for over 20 years, bringing a variety of cars. My 4200lb Charger handled the course with aplomb. My 2014 Genesis Coupe 3.8GT fell flat on its face, but that was because the brakes faded after 2 laps, and the Dunlop tires melted. The handling was fine at least. That was in Summer, which is why I only go to RA in November now, so heat isn't a problem. I even took my 2003 Toyota Matrix there once, and surprised the instructors as to how well I wheeled it around the track.

So, imagine my surprise when an RS model couldn't seemingly handle the track well at all in the corners. Tho, the brakes are spectacular! There is an RS specialist at my local dealer, who has his RS3 spec'd out nicely. When I took my car in for service, I told him about my disappointing session.

His advice was to reduce the unsprung weight. So, I set about doing that by ditching the heavy stock wheels for much lighter Neuspeed RS wheels. When I went back to RA last year, the difference was night and day! The car now handled like a champ, and along with my tune, intake, and exhaust mods, I had a much better experience! My trap speed on the long back straight also improved from 131 to 139MPH! I was able to exit the final turn before the straight carrying higher speed, and with the power upgrades, I surprised a C8 driver when I blew past him(he later marveled at how fast my car was after we pitted)!

This November, I will be going to RA again, only now I also have lighter brake rotors, 034 subframe mounts, and stiffer front and rear shock tower braces. I'm excited to see the difference those mods make. I'm still most blown away at the difference simply replacing the wheels made tho, and is my highest reco for improving cornering on a budget!

[S3DUDE]

I am about to take my RS3 to a small local road course on the 10th, the track is a replica of the Suzuka South circuit, I have been there before with my FWD 8th Gen Civic SI which I built for this track. I truly don't know what to expect out of the RS3, I have Carbotech 1521 pads, two piece lightweight rotors, , Neuspeed lighter wheels and RE71 245/40/18s. The course is really small, like 1300 yards and about 13 turns, I barely hit 70 mph on the starighst with the honda so maybe 85-90 mph on the RS3(E-85 Stage 1).

My biggest concern is the understeer and the seats. The seats for instance are not even close to decently grabby, on my 8th gen SI the seats are phenomenal. The understeer I predict is going to be terrible specially because I am on stock suspension and the magnetic ride sucks! I might post some pictures next week.

[arulrs3]

Have fun. What tires ? 1521 in front might not help. I would suggest to get XP8 for front. E-85 try to keep at least 1/2 tank of fuel otherwise when pulling more G in braking/turning fuel cut off can happen. Stock suspension with what springs ? Mag ride is right spring rate is great in track. :)

[NelsDMAX]

E-85 on the track is problematic since you go thru so much fuel each lap, that you will most likely be having fuel delivery issues before a session is over.
Running low on fuel and having a fuel pickup issue when high in the power curve can be a recipe for disaster.
De-Tune to 93.
Will have plenty of power for the car and still have a great time (without fuel starvation issues)

[ketchupfreak]

E-85 on the track is problematic since you go thru so much fuel each lap, that you will most likely be having fuel delivery issues before a session is over.
Running low on fuel and having a fuel pickup issue when high in the power curve can be a recipe for disaster.
De-Tune to 93.
Will have plenty of power for the car and still have a great time (without fuel starvation issues)

I usually just top off after every session. I am running Uni's OLOA map though.

[TheContrarian]

If you can trail brake, you shouldn't have any major understeer issues with the RS3.

It's all about controlling weight transfer, you need to be on the brake during turn-in to load the front end and get traction. The old paradigm of brake in a straight line, release and turn in & accelerate won't work well.

Staggered tires and additional camber are also a big help. The fact that Audi brought the 8Y to market with staggered tires only should give pause to everyone that wants to square up. Audi is telling you something.

[S3DUDE]

As promised on my post #23 here is the result:

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...-on-the-floor)

Trail and error. I will be buying a decent rear sway bar and hardware (sway bar end links). I will also replace the brake fluid for a high boiling point full syntethic brake fluid as I originally intented to do so. This participation at the local time attack wasn't really planned, my son convinced me (begged me) to bring the RS3 to the local road course, I knew I wasn't ready for it for a few reasons.

I was told that the rear rotors were glowing. It gets frustrating when you have plenty of power but can't really go that fast or use the power on very tight curves. Also it sucks that the road course is so small that you can only use second and third and that is it!!

[S3DUDE]

Have fun. What tires ? 1521 in front might not help. I would suggest to get XP8 for front. E-85 try to keep at least 1/2 tank of fuel otherwise when pulling more G in braking/turning fuel cut off can happen. Stock suspension with what springs ? Mag ride is right spring rate is great in track. :)

Thanks a lot for your input, greatly appreciated. I filled the tank before I left home, did a couple of errands and put 7 miles. Drove 15 miles on the HWY to the Road Course(so that is 7+15=22), tracked the car and left the track with 45 miles so that means that I put roughly 23 miles on the circuit. Gas mileage was mid 5mpg during the track sesion.

I was told that the front brake pads were sparking and I observed a lot of smoke as well. I measured 34.1 mm on the Neuspeed 2 piece rotors before I hit the track and I already had them on for 10K but it appears that they haven't worn out at all prior to the track event. At this point I am not sure if I want to but race pads because it can eat up my rotors. Taking the car to the road course has been a true field test for the car and yours truly. Thankfully I learned what needs to be fixed.

[jdatb]

I took my bone stock 2019 RS3 to Road Atlanta back in 2020. I was disappointed in its performance. I have driven FWD cars most of my life. I had a 2006 Charger SRT RWD, but the RS3 is my first AWD. The massive understeer exhibited on the RA track kept me from enjoying my track day. It handled like a pig, to say the least. I'd read that these cars can exhibit understeer, but was still surprised at just how much. There is an exit ramp I take frequently, with a decreasing radius turn. My 2016 FWD Hyundai Elantra GT manages to take that curve at least 4-5 mph faster than my Audi. I attribute that mainly to the Hyundai's 400lb lighter curb weight.

I have gone to RA for over 20 years, bringing a variety of cars. My 4200lb Charger handled the course with aplomb. My 2014 Genesis Coupe 3.8GT fell flat on its face, but that was because the brakes faded after 2 laps, and the Dunlop tires melted. The handling was fine at least. That was in Summer, which is why I only go to RA in November now, so heat isn't a problem. I even took my 2003 Toyota Matrix there once, and surprised the instructors as to how well I wheeled it around the track.

So, imagine my surprise when an RS model couldn't seemingly handle the track well at all in the corners. Tho, the brakes are spectacular! There is an RS specialist at my local dealer, who has his RS3 spec'd out nicely. When I took my car in for service, I told him about my disappointing session.

His advice was to reduce the unsprung weight. So, I set about doing that by ditching the heavy stock wheels for much lighter Neuspeed RS wheels. When I went back to RA last year, the difference was night and day! The car now handled like a champ, and along with my tune, intake, and exhaust mods, I had a much better experience! My trap speed on the long back straight also improved from 131 to 139MPH! I was able to exit the final turn before the straight carrying higher speed, and with the power upgrades, I surprised a C8 driver when I blew past him(he later marveled at how fast my car was after we pitted)!

This November, I will be going to RA again, only now I also have lighter brake rotors, 034 subframe mounts, and stiffer front and rear shock tower braces. I'm excited to see the difference those mods make. I'm still most blown away at the difference simply replacing the wheels made tho, and is my highest reco for improving cornering on a budget!

Very informative post, thank you. What size wheels and tires are you running right now?