[SWortham]

Originally Posted by upncummr

Generally, it isn't a good idea to shift mid-corner, especially at higher speeds.

Either hold the gear a little longer and upshift after corner entry or upshift before corner entry so you don't run out of RPMs.

Upshifting in mid-corner can upset the balance of the car and induce unexpected oversteer.

Gary

Agreed. I'd suggest short-shifting before the corner so you don't run out of RPM's in the middle of the corner. The car has such good mid-range torque that this technique will work better in this car than it would in a Honda, for example.

[antonch]

That is the confusing part, I've driven RWD cars in the past. Lift-off oversteer wasn't nearly as noticable. Sometimes you needed to lift just to rotate. Where as STi feels like lift and just hope that your front wheels are pointing in right direction.

Originally Posted by SWortham

It has a tendency to understeer, sure. I don't know about that "especially under throttle" statement.

The car has handling characteristic of both a FWD and a RWD car. If you're just under the limit you'll notice how lifting the throttle tucks the nose in, and pushing down on the throttle makes the car push wide. In this way it behaves just like my FWD Hyundai did. But if you push it hard enough the car will oversteer under throttle like a RWD car.

And often times to be fastest in the stock car you'll have to take it easy on corner entry and really get on it for corner exits. Assuming you're in a safe environment (like an autox course) you can try getting on the gas very early, aim for the apex cone, and trust the car's ability to pull you out of corners.