For the track I'd like the purest, least computer-assisted experience possible even if it makes me slower. I don't go to the track to have a computer drive me around- I want to see what I'm capable of and try to improve on it.

For the street, for normal driving, I'll take every driver aid I can get. Situations like Dan's crop up all the time and I'll take the largest margin for error possible because I'm only human, and I'm not paying 100% attention 100% of the time.

That said, my friend's Mustang has traction control and the first thing I do when I get in is turn it off. Every time you get on it a little bit around a corner that traction control cuts in and shuts off power. My take on it is this- maybe the tires would've slid out a little bit around that corner, but it would've been harmless. In the process, you would've gained a bit more of a feel for the car. The traction control prevents you from getting that feel. When the big one hits, when you have to swerve to avoid an accident and the back end gets seriously loose, the traction control isn't going to save you. Only your feel for the car is going to get it back in line, and you won't have that feel if you've been letting the traction control drive the car for you the whole time.

Of course, if it starts raining the first thing I do is turn the TC back on. I know how quickly a little bit of oversteer can turn into a spin on wet roads and I'm not taking chances with a friend's car. The only place I'll push it in the wet is at an autocross- rain is a true test of a driver's skill and I'll save my failing grade for a flat, open runway.

 

This thread is full of win.

 

I don't have power steering, power brakes, windows (let alone power windows), lights, ABS, or an air bag on my car, I'm hardcore yo!

 

Juno, not Radical, we don't talk about the Radical anymore, her new adopted owner is probably having as much fun as I did replacing engines and things now.