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Originally Posted by dennis68
I'm pretty sure most auto manufactures have deep enough pockets to handle this; they already spend millions on each platform during development. I agree that the driver variable will always be in issue, isn’t an issue with the skid pad and slalom as well? As for atmospheric variables, maybe on a drag strip or during 60-0 testing but on a 3 mile road course I really don’t think the difference between 60* and over cast vs. 80* clear skies are going to have a dramatic impact on the overall lap speed.
Although skid pad and slalom tests can be used to show improvement its not a realistic measure, you are only at testing solid state cruise speeds and there no significant direction changes in either tests (I left out the obvious variables that had already been discussed from the "lack of" list).
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Well we use the same wheelman for our tests.. but yea. It's just that with a longer course the variables stack up more..
And while auto manufacturers have super deep pockets we are not discussing that here. We are talking aftermarket parts mfgs who in some cases are very small to medium sized companies. It would not make economic sense for these guys to ship test mules to a centralized location, so they do what they can.
We are sorta getting off topic here.. I think we could agree that while the 4 tests (slalom, skidpad, braking, 1/4 mile) are not the absolute best real world test of a car they are certainly a good guage if a part made improvements to a car and are valuable when done using correct scientific methods..