The oldest and most popular Russian automotive magazine "Za Rulem" started testing on Smolensk Ring a year ago. At that
time track wasn't actively used. Now it's ready for almost any kind of racing - as proven by Truck Battle Russia-
2010, the event of European Truck Racing Championship.
Right after this event we organized a challenge between new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro and Porsche 911 Turbo S.
“Ordinary” 911 Turbo also participated, but due to bad weather couldn't show decent result.
Each of these 3 supercars has its spice. Legendary 911 with its unique rear-engine design is equipped with modern AWD
transmission. New-born MB SLS AMG, the 300 SL gullwing successor, is a front-engine RR supercar. Audi R8 is the first VAG
supercar of modern era - aluminium body, V10 similar to Gallardo, mid-engine design and quattro drivetrain. Despite unequal power output (from 525 hp performed by Audi R8, to 571 hp of MB SLS AMG), official performance figures are very
close. So, which of the three was fastest on a race track?
MB SLS AMG with its powerful engine and rear wheel drive is quite difficult to drive hard – our pilot had to shift up in
curves to avoid unwanted drift, caused by tremendous torque on the rear axle. It needs a very qualified pilot to show its
true potential.
Porsche 911 Turbo S, on the other hand, is friendly both to rookies and professional pilots alike. The only complaint is
Porsche's specific paddles confusing those used to shift with switches like in Audi and Mercedes Benz. It showed the highest peak speed on the straight – 212,78 km/h, but Audi's lap time was exactly the same (1:45.5) even when lacking 6 km/h on the straightaway.
Obviously, R8 must be better in chicanes... And yes, it was! Using Driftbox we found out that in sector with 8 curves R8
was nearly a full second faster than the 911!
But R8 has appreciable disadvantage - S-tronic. This semi-automatic gearbox, as we saw on Driftbox diagram, needs
approximately 0,3 second to change a gear. You feel it while driving - during the gearchange acceleration stops, and car
is destabilized with powerful "kick" when clutch is re-engaged. Nor MB SLS neither 911 Turbo S with dual-clutch transmission
have this negative side effect.
Fastestlaps's note: All laptimes are available in "Smolensk Ring" track page. Full story (in Russian) will be published in "Za Rulem" October issue.
