[mr0077]

Just my take:
Front drive cars were promoted for reasons unrelated to performance...economy and production cost (NOT maintenance cost to the owner!). There are some very good front drivers, but in my opinion, for performance use the front drivers put too much dynamic load on the front tires...they provide the traction for acceleration, and because they carry most of the weight, they do most of the stopping; meanwhile, they turn the car as well. The rear tires almost do nothing but hold the rear end off the ground.
Front-engined rear drivers at least share the tire load, with acceleration forces on the rear, braking somewhat balanced and front tires doing the steering. Rear-engined rear drivers load up the rear tires somewhat (good for acceleration traction), but not like a front driver, and braking is enhanced due to weight transfer toward the front. And finally, with both rear drivers, the front tires are doing less work, so they are able to provide a greater part of their total traction to steering the car.
Just my twopence...but this ought to get interesting.