wet day ... testing limits ... slowly ...

scott_e · Post by **scott_e** » Sat May 12, 2007 8:13 am

Wet day today so tried a small slow "power" slide or two on a few empty roundabouts on the way to work. Im terrified of this car in the wet and needed to check where the limits were on A048s. I drive like a slow granny at the slightest show of rain (and probably in the dry too compared to most of you).

I was only going 10-15 mph.

When grip was lost and i took foot off pedal and got grip quickly again.

Realised i need 2 hands on the wheel doh.

Was more comfotable with it losing grip compared to Mr2 mk2. Felt more in control.

I suspect i wouldnt enjoy it going any faster but its going to happan one of these days so needed to test .. get a feel. Im not planning to do any track days so need to find myself a big empty car park / airfield i guess.

Sorry for dragging the good reputation of lotus drivers down a peg with my antics.

Thanks for any advice.
Scott

mac · Post by **mac** » Sat May 12, 2007 8:46 am

Heh - we were all like that in the begining.

2nd best place is a wet track day, nothing coming the wrong way if you've left the tail out.

Best option - http://www.Carlimits.co.uk - it's not just for trackdays

Mac

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Sat May 12, 2007 9:22 am

Get yourself along to an autotest. Good place to learn some sliding skills. See meets section.
Also: http://www.autotest-scotland.co.uk

GregR · Post by **GregR** » Sat May 12, 2007 11:01 am

mac wrote:Heh - we were all like that in the begining.

2nd best place is a wet track day, nothing coming the wrong way if you've left the tail out.

Best option - http://www.Carlimits.co.uk - it's not just for trackdays

Mac

The young man is on the money there - wet trackdays are the best place to ascertain your, and the car's limits. Don't take this the wrong way mate, but your limits are a lot lower than the car's, and its normally incorrect input at the controls that will have you in trouble rather than the set-up or constitution of the car.

I'm not an advocate of learning at 15%, as you're never going to react the same way if/when it happens in a real-life situation - your subconscious takes over and you're facing backwards before you know it (10 minutes with Walshy taught me that!)

What I'm saying is that its a good idea to try to learn how you/the car will react, but don't grow over confident on the back of a wee slide on an empty roundabout. The best policy is never to drive 100% on the road, and nowhere near that in the wet on 48s!

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Sat May 12, 2007 11:02 am

mac wrote:Heh - we were all like that in the begining.

2nd best place is a wet track day, nothing coming the wrong way if you've left the tail out.

Best option - http://www.Carlimits.co.uk - it's not just for trackdays

Mac

yeah, my first experience of wet driving was KH in the wet in ed's exige

just after they resurfaced the track. the kerbs weren't painted. discovered how slippery wet kerbs are

excellant fun though

robin · Post by **robin** » Sat May 12, 2007 11:06 am

Tom wrote:
yeah, my first experience of wet driving was KH in the wet in ed's exige just after they resurfaced the track. the kerbs weren't painted. discovered how slippery wet kerbs are

excellent fun though

Ah, the good old days where Ed had an exige that you could take on the track rather than just to Dan's and back

Cheers,
Robin

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Sat May 12, 2007 11:17 am

robin wrote:
Tom wrote:
yeah, my first experience of wet driving was KH in the wet in ed's exige just after they resurfaced the track. the kerbs weren't painted. discovered how slippery wet kerbs are

excellent fun though
Ah, the good old days where Ed had an exige that you could take on the track rather than just to Dan's and back

Cheers,
Robin

scott_e · Post by **scott_e** » Sat May 12, 2007 12:29 pm

GregR wrote: Don't take this the wrong way mate, but your limits are a lot lower than the car's

thats a fair point and i agree.

i guess snow days are out then.

graeme · Post by **graeme** » Sat May 12, 2007 1:34 pm

Carlimits.com - cheaper than a new clam...

mac · Post by **mac** » Sat May 12, 2007 5:16 pm

lotus111 wrote:Carlimits.com - cheaper than a new clam...

There speaks the voice of experience

Mac

graeme · Post by **graeme** » Sat May 12, 2007 6:16 pm

mac wrote:
lotus111 wrote:Carlimits.com - cheaper than a new clam...

There speaks the voice of experience

Mac

(but yeah, you're right!)

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Mon May 14, 2007 1:41 pm

You'd be amazed what these cars are capable of in the wet - the weakest link is often the person controlling it. (i stuffed my first car aqua planning when i was 20

)

Go and see Mr Walsh

Everyone needs training

Since then some of my favourite KH visits have been the wet ones, and my ARDS test was wettest trip i've ever had there!

PhilA · Post by **PhilA** » Mon May 14, 2007 4:54 pm

i love it wet and slippy!!!
especially when I am sittin atop lots of rubber

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Mon May 14, 2007 6:27 pm

scott_e wrote:
i guess snow days are out then.

They're the best. One of my best ever drives in my elise was roof off over the campsies on completely white roads