looks like I'll be wet: advice?

[nostatic]

Well, weather report for Willow Friday is rain and more rain. I've already paid for my laps, so any advice for running wet? I've got my well worn AVS100 tires and ego firmly in check.

[TimT]

Smooth is your friend!!

if the track has standing water you should see the dry line.. the polished surface of the track. The wet line will differ from that.

having never been at willow, I cant tell you the wet or dry line

remember smooth inputs

[jpnovak]

Just practice being really smooth. Don't try to go too fast until you are really comfortable. You will slide and it will be fun. its a good exercise in throttle steering and watching inputs. Last time I was on the track in the rain the car would push the front wheels really bad. So you lift and get them to bite then back on the throttle and the back end would step out since you weight transfered to the front. Learning to be smooth with lots of part throttle inputs was the key. Lots of fun. Be safe and enjoy it!


btw, you will be amazed at what you can do in the rain. Really helps theh confidence on the street.

[KobaltBlau]

better rain than snow, if you like grip

[Jack Olsen]

It's the best way to learn most tracks, IMO.

[Mike Metzler]

You might consider disconnecting your sway bars, or at least making them as "soft" as possible.

[Jim Richards]

Todd, watch for the change in grip as your car transitions between asphalt and concrete surfaces. It can be a bit unnerving if you're not paying attention to it.

Jack, I found from my one and only experience on a (real) wet track was that I was driving from concrete patch to concrete patch. I think it was becoming a crutch for me and my line wasn't quite right then and espcially when conditions dried the next day. I imagine it's an easy mistake for rookies like me to make.

[obrut]

i'll second disconnecting your sway bars - and raise your tire pressures from your normal 'dry' pressures

[Jack Olsen]

Originally posted by Jim Richards
Jack, I found from my one and only experience on a (real) wet track was that I was driving from concrete patch to concrete patch. I think it was becoming a crutch for me and my line wasn't quite right then and espcially when conditions dried the next day.

True. But there are no concrete patches at Streets of Willow.

Rain makes the day very easy on the car, too. It will run cooler, and the wear on brakes and tires is negligible. Also, above about 40 mph, the water won't go in through the windows.

[Randy W]

Be smooth, brake and accelerate in a straight line. Have fun!

[dagwood928]

whats going on at willow Friday?? Is it possible to just come out and check it out?

[Jack Olsen]

Nostatic's going to Streets of Willow. It's a Speedventures event.

[nostatic]

http://www.speedventures.net/2-18-2005_event.asp

I think you can watch either for free or $10 to get in the gate (varies from event to event).

[Jim Richards]

Originally posted by JackOlsen
True. But there are no concrete patches at Streets of Willow.

Good! One less distraction, Todd. Have a great time.

[Mike Metzler]

Originally posted by Jim Richards
Jack, I found from my one and only experience on a (real) wet track was that I was driving from concrete patch to concrete patch. I think it was becoming a crutch for me and my line wasn't quite right then and espcially when conditions dried the next day. I imagine it's an easy mistake for rookies like me to make.

Note that this is not always the case. At Mid-Ohio, for instance, the concrete is to be avoided if at all possible when wet -- there are places it is hard to stand up on it is so slick (well, almost). The resurfacing (grooving) done there last spring helped -- for a while, but since the concrete patches are placed where the track gets extra wear, it is no surprise they also tend to be polished smooth.

Driving in the wet is very good for helping you assess and use available grip, as it can change significantly from one part of the track to another.

Be smooth, have fun!

[Jim Richards]

Originally posted by Mike Metzler
Note that this is not always the case. At Mid-Ohio, for instance, the concrete is to be avoided if at all possible when wet -- there are places it is hard to stand up on it is so slick (well, almost). The resurfacing (grooving) done there last spring helped -- for a while, but since the concrete patches are placed where the track gets extra wear, it is no surprise they also tend to be polished smooth.

Funny you should mention Mid-Ohio. That was where my only wet-track experience occurred, and it WAS last spring subsequent to the resurfacing. My instructor was having me drive the concrete patches. Now I'm confused.

Todd, sorry for the hi-jack. So, back to you...my only other advice is if there are garages available to rent at the track, do so! It'll make you much happier jumping in and out of your car where it's dry. And, you'll have a dry place to keep your stuff. That's always good. I shared a garage with another guy at Mid-Ohio and we never suffered, even during the multiple downpours.

[Mike Metzler]

Jim,

No need to be confused! Your instructor was right. After the resurfacing last spring Mid-Ohio was AWESOME! Of course, tire life went to hell, but the grip was great. By mid-summer the concrete was back to its old slippery self in many places (apex of chicane into Keyhole, for example.)

Two messages to take from this:
1) depending on condition, wet concrete can be very grippy or
very slippery, and
2) tracks can and do change!

That is part of why even returning to an "old" track provides opportunity to learn the track.

Mike

[Wil Ferch]

Be *very* careful especially during the "first minutes" of rain or track wetness....which bring up surface oils from the previously dry track.

Later..the track will still be wet ( and all cautions still apply)...but will be scrubbed of the oils that make a track treacherous for the first minutes of rain.....

A nuance, perhaps....but there you are.....

Wil

[Tinker]

As everyone mentioned, smoothness and no abrupt inputs is the best strategy in the wet. It's a great learning tool for car control, as long as you don't put any wheels off.

You might want to experiment with driving off the line as there might be more grip there.

R compound tires grip pretty well in the wet (not in a downpour) when they are hot and still have some tread depth remaining.

Tinker

[ted]

Painted surfaces when wet can be slippery, painted gators, lines and such.