Yeah, I meant to do it

nigel911 · nigel911's Garage

Lost the rear end of my car today whilst driving to work after a 'Florida downpour' - no rain for a week or so makes for greasy blacktop. No, I wasn't driving like a tit. Yes, my tires are good.

Car ended up facing the completely the wrong way after a (wide) left hand turn, had to drive back to the junction and U-turn because of the lane divider. Fortunately it was on a very quiet road, no impact and no other cars involved, though I'm sure a few people in the office opposite had a good laugh at my expense.

Time for the truth, how many of us have done this? Obviously it was never your fault and you are all 'exceptionally' talented drivers but who else has been caught out?

Tim Walsh · Tim Walsh's Garage

haven't done it but haven't pushed it far enough to either. So where's the option "slower than grandma"

Jgordon · 05-10-2004, 04:57 PM

started fishtailing at about 60 mph in a light snow (SO3s). It took about 6-7 pendulum swings, but I brought it under control. As I was doing this I noticed a wall of traffic behind me, slowing down and watching what would happen. Very surreal. No thought of personal safety, just wanted to make sure the car was all right.

VaSteve · 05-10-2004, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tim Walsh
haven't done it but haven't pussed it far enough to either. So where's the option "slower than grandma"

Tim,

You might have to concede that option to me after our fun run this weekend. I entered a turn too quick, and when I felt it loose traction braked instead of gassed. Was still able to keep moving forward, but scared the heck out of me. I was a little more cautious the rest of the run while the guy in front of me never seemed to touch the brakes!

Where were you? I thought you were coming up for this one??

Tim Walsh · Tim Walsh's Garage

Steve,
Wanted to get up but still working through problems with the 911. Torn CV boot, leaky gas lines, still having oil pressure issues (PM me for details since I'd rather not have the public humiliation but it should be fixed

) Basicly everything that could have gone wrong since I installed the engine has gone wrong.

HarryD · 05-10-2004, 06:08 PM

Not in my 911 but, as a teen in my Mom's Coronet 500 (mom was not with me) and I spun thru an intersection.

klaucke · 05-10-2004, 07:11 PM

I don't care to push my car to the point of losing it. However, I did once lost it doing a u-turn in the wet, Posi will do that to you.

Randy Webb · 05-10-2004, 07:34 PM

Moron cut me off at an exit ramp in Portland and it was either swerve or crash. I swerved (without thinking of that option tho) and the rear came out. A quick flip of the wheel and it came in. All this was in rain.

I did loop an RX-7 years ago when I lived in Wyo. No damge, but I was unlucky as the sheriff happened to drive by, told me to wait there for the Hwy patrol, so I got a ticket.

Zeke · 05-10-2004, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Randy Webb
.........so I got a ticket.

For what? I hope you fought that one.

I've spun a few cars in the rain. On purpose some of the times. I mean, you really have to go do it eventually just so you know what it's like. That helps a lot if it happens accidentially.

911ctS · 05-10-2004, 08:00 PM

"Nearly but saved it because I'm so good"

I would say this is the response I give the most props to. This means that you've gone past the edge and managed to bring it back, like a pro. Uhhh! na na.

skinnerd · skinnerd's Garage

yeah, I hit a patch of water running across the highway after a gully washer.... must have been doing about 70. Started fish tailing big time.... my subconscious autocross skills kicked in as I quickly opposite corrected about 4 times really quick until I regained control. Talk about adrenaline kicking in after that. I slowed down in the rain everytime I'd hit that particular patch of road in the rain from then on.

I'm glad I autocross regularly.....

Randy Webb · 05-10-2004, 09:44 PM

For what? I hope you fought that one.

Zeke, I think it was for speeding -- he did measure the skid marks. I was defintiely going over 55 -- about 75 or 80 - not that fast, esp. for a wide Wyoming 2 lane with about 5-6 cars per hour (that's in summer, the high traffic season).

Schrup · Schrup's Garage

The other day I did a complete 360 out in the parking lot at work in a fresh rain storm. I haven't looped the 911 on accident yet, but have come close. I have looped nearly every other car I've owned at one time & have learned the threshold of when to quit fighting & just give in. It is far diiferent in a rear engine car with no power steering, much more violent.

J P Stein · 05-10-2004, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by skinnerd

I'm glad I autocross regularly.....

Not regularly enuff, damnit. SCCA both days this next weekend (15th & 16th).....PM for you hot dogs

HarryD · 05-12-2004, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by J P Stein
Not regularly enuff, damnit. SCCA both days this next weekend (15th & 16th).....PM for you hot dogs

JP,

Hunting for some of the slimely stuff to squish?

dickster · 04:09 AM

yes, not too long ago.

coming back from normal grocery shopping so a road well known to me. it is a very tight left hander (1st/2nd gear) and it is also very narrow. the road was damp from recent rain and as i exited the trun i put my foot down (by no means hard) and the back end started coming round onto the opposite side of the road. i backed off and things calmed down.

the rear probably only just crossed the centre line of the road but still unnerving at the time - mainly because I hardly gave it any gas at all.

and i HAVE LSD.

i have to say guys (to those of you who refuse to explore the limits of your car) it is good practice to learn where the limits are (obviously in the right place).

gerry100 · 05-13-2004, 04:28 AM

Last session, first day, first DE, 95 deg, high humidity, Turn 1 Watkins Glen.

Basically I was caught totally by surprise when the rear came out and due to inexperience I instinctively lifted. A little too much speed and a case of "red mist" were contributing factors.

Up to the doorsills in the gravel trap.

The next day I was black flagged for what turned out to be gravel falling out of the car.

A jar of the gravel sits in my office as a reminder. " don't lift"

dickster · 05-13-2004, 04:32 AM

yeah, i know you're right. fear takes over.

gerry100 · 05-13-2004, 04:38 AM

Didn't have time to be afraid, It happened very fast.

When we came to a stop , my first words were expletives.

Westy · 05-13-2004, 05:17 AM

Oh yeah. My 1970T, coming down from the hills in Redwood City. Right before my freeway onramp the rear comes around on dry pavement. Slammed into the center divider curb backwards, over the road marker, and up into the iceplant. Hit so hard it blew the valve stem out of the wheel. Lets see, that one was a left rear suspension part, a tire, the license plate panel, and my wheel. There MUST have been oil on the road. Right?