Track day in the rain

alf · 05-28-2003, 06:02 PM

Did a track day couple of weeks ago with a few guys from the office couple of S2ks and a 360. We sort of crashed a rice tuning shop's event.

A wet track on R1s really gets the "keep the car balanced" and "focus on smooth" lessons through.

Some pics..

North Coast Cab · North Coast Cab's Garage

Car looks sweeet! Where'd you get the bra with the PORSCHE on the front?

JG

Doug E · 05-28-2003, 06:38 PM

Nice action shots.

Emission · Emission's Garage

So, how did the S2000's do on the track? I've heard mixed results; some say they are great, some say they have no low end torque.

How many did you pass?

alf · 05-28-2003, 07:22 PM

I got the bra from another Pelican head for $10. Does not fit too well around the headlights but hey it is just a track bra. Not sure who made it.

The S2000s are pretty good on the track, but the unmodified ones sound like a Honda Accord. I passed several in my run group, but i do not think it is the car that was the problem. There was also a bunch of heavily modified Civics and Integras, they sound pretty cool and go pretty fast.

The instructors were pretty darn happy to see rain

APKhaos · 05-28-2003, 07:26 PM

Nice one Alfred - great pics!

Most novices are scared witless of rain - I know I was. As you say, its the best way to learn what smoothness and balance really mean. Every move amplified, every twitch a terror.

Bill Douglas · 05-28-2003, 07:30 PM

Wow the car looks great. I did a track day when the rain was absolutely bucketing down. Lots of fun but I went off the track about 4 or 5 times. It sure feels good doing ass out slides around sweepers at 80mph

89911 · 05-29-2003, 04:33 AM

Every time a track event that I go to gets poured on, there is always someone that will say "you can learn a lot in the rain". Kind of like going to the beach and hearing "you can get burned on a cloudy day". Beginners and novices aside, If you've been on a track for a couple of thousand laps and it starts raining, the usually come away with the knowledge "You can drive much faster when it is dry"! Here's to better weather ahead!

rs911t · 05-29-2003, 05:22 AM

So far, my first two DEs have each had at least 1 session run in the rain. I have my fingers cross this weekend will be all dry!

Harlan Chinn · Harlan Chinn's Garage

Alfred, Great Pictures! Looks like you had a lot of fun. BTW What tire where you running out there?

Gus Berges · 05-29-2003, 07:20 AM

Am I mistaken, or is that a pair of BMW M Coupes in the back row of the group shot?

Randy W · Randy W's Garage

There is a reason Senna went out and practicesd in the rain every chance he could. You learn more about the balance of your car in the wet, and it forces you to get back to basics - and that's a good thing no matter what your skill level. At a Laguna Seca track day last month, my favorite session was in the wet. Good job, Alf!

alf · 05-29-2003, 11:22 AM

Thanks Randy, i did rather enjoy running in the rain. Look forward to more seat time with you in upcoming PCA events

Gus,
No BMWs, they are S2000s, Civics and Integras and a F360 off to the left.

Harlan
I was running R1s.

alf

GeorgeK · 05-29-2003, 11:46 AM

Last track outing was at Dijon, in France. It was p*ssing the whole day, heavy rain non stop. This is a fast track with some places where there is not a lot of room if you go off. I learnt TONS of things about the car. I used the street tires (brand new SP9000s) which are great in the rain. The slicks stayed in the support car. It is since that day that I know what to do to the car to perfect its handling, otherwise I'd have never found out.
Going 145 mph down the straight, following 993TTs was a great feeling. All I could see was their brake lights when they stepped on it for the curve.
A must do for anyone who wants to feel what the car does on the limit, without risking an off at high speeds.

GeorgeK