Should F1 and other open wheel series race in the rain?

scottmandue · 05-10-2008, 10:15 AM

This bugs me, watching F1 in the rain... I mean WTF... have you ever ridden a bicycle without fenders in the rain? Suppose fender-less cars were street legal, and you had a covertable would you go driving in the rain? Of course not!

I watch F1 to watch the best drivers in the best cars go fast not waddle around three quarters blind and soaked half to death.

What do you think, should they delay F1 races for rain?

David · David's Garage

I've raced karts in the rain. It's part of road racing and shouldn't be viewed as something bad. It allows the best drivers to show their meddle without being handicapped by lack of horsepower or car setup.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Yes.

herman maire · 05-10-2008, 11:37 AM

yes, yes , yes unpredictable weather = awsome race

livi · 05-10-2008, 11:52 AM

Often makes for good entertainment. Usually more exiting and unpredictable.

tchanson · 05-10-2008, 11:58 AM

They shouldn't play football in the snow, either. Someone could fall and hurt themselves.

Tim

jyl · jyl's Garage

Heck, yes. F1 in the rain is great to watch. Will be even better this year w/o traction control.

peppy · 05-10-2008, 01:16 PM

Some of the most memorable races have been in the rain. I think it really shows the drivers that have skill and not just the fastest car.

therotman · 05-10-2008, 01:18 PM

The rain races are the only ones when the podium is not determined in qualifying. I say they spray water on the track for every race.

ckissick · 05-10-2008, 01:23 PM

I love riding my bike in a good downpour. It's more exciting.

scottmandue · 05-10-2008, 01:31 PM

Well then there... I guess I'm in the minority... so be it!

Although, if it brings out the best in drivers why is it the leading drivers rarely win in the wet racing?

NASCAR? Well, watching F1 race in the wet... cars flying off the track and crashing into each other... kind of makes it look a lot more like NASCAR doesn't it?

therotman · 05-10-2008, 01:36 PM

I guess we all have that secret desire to be nascar fans

Joeaksa · 05-10-2008, 02:54 PM

They already do race in the rain in F1. Nothing new there.

Its the Crashcar jokers who stop racing when it rains...

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckissick

I love riding my bike in a good downpour. It's more exciting.

I went to college in Oregon. I put fenders on my mountain bike for commuting in the rain

Shows you different things about the drivers, if you ask me.

scottmandue · 05-10-2008, 03:19 PM

Yes, yes, I know they do... what I am saying is the design of the cars seem inherently impractical for racing in the rain.

Would you drive around in your targa with the roof off in a downpour?

And with the twenty food rooster tails flying off all tires they are pretty much flying blind. It seem to make the race more about luck that skill IMHO.

Whtnkls911 · 05-10-2008, 04:53 PM

Absolutely! F1 in the rain seperates the truely great drivers. Go back and look at the old footage of Senna in the rain and you understand why he was one of the best, if not the best ever.

masraum · 05-10-2008, 05:06 PM

Yeah, they should race in the rain. For basically the same reasons as already stated.

FastCarFan · FastCarFan's Garage

I strongly agree that they should race in the rain. Unless it is pouring so much or there is so much standing water that it is highly dangerous.

I agree that it allows the great drivers who don't have a red or silver car to show how good they are.

What I don't like is changing conditions -- dry to wet to dry. I don't like it when the race is decided by who guesses best (or is luckier) about when to change from drys to intermediates or wets, etc. For example, a driver leaves the wets on during a pit stop & it starts to dry, & a driver who guesses better, or who is luckier in pit stop timing. switches to inters or drys & wins.

I have driven quite a few DEs in the rain & it really forces you to be smooth, hyper sensitive to the rear end stepping out, etc. It is fun, but challenging.

My 2 cents....

David · David's Garage

I don't mind the changing conditions. I think it gives the team a chance to show their meddle too.

I agree on standing water. It's one thing to drive in slippery conditions, it's another thing to fly off the track with no idea what happened.

I've seen a few kart engines blow from standing water too. Engines can't handle the sudden change in traction any better than the driver can

.

Wickd89 · 05-10-2008, 05:43 PM

Absolutely.
Need more wet tire options. For example, regular wets and extreme wet.
Off course when it is monsoon conditions, a few hours of delay should be considered. But racing they should do!! Oh yes, they should do!!

I still have the Senna signed program from '93 Domington. Senna was brilliant!!
Senna winning in a JPS in the rain; magical.
Schumacher as the Rain-meister; f'n yes!

Prost in the wet -Joke.. Sorry, decent fella but can't race in difficult conditions....