Wet weather driving

[Stuart]

Just a thought............are there generally rules of thumb that can be applied to fast and safe wet weather driving? I fully understand that different cars require different techniques, but I would be interested to know how different people approach as wet weather tends to seperate the men from the boys.

To give you a scenario, steady rain and wet tarmac, no standing water, approaching the Esses on the back straight at Snetterton. Normally I would brake earlier and gentler than a dry track and trying to make sure the application of the brake and accelerator is smoother. This may be safe, but ultimately is it quick? I know all about balance of risk and reward in terms of cars but I would like feedback from others to allow me to think outside of the box....

Would you consider different lines because of the weather, a different gear? Any and all sensible feedback greatly appreciated. The principal consideration of any feedback should be in relation to circuit driving.

Thanks

[duncan]

I was experimentign with different lines and gears on the track at Snetterton in the wet:

My thoughts:

Into esses I found that trailbraking into the left gave the car a more stable and balanced approach without understeer. the flick right induced understeer initially but gentle acceleration brought the back round to help the car point in the right direction... this was easier in a higher gear than normal as it would be easier to be smoother on the throttle.

The extra gear was used in most slow gear corners and the fastest laps of the days were done using 3rd into and out of both chicanes.

My car does have the low down torque though that some others wouldnt have and will happily pull from low revs.

In all I just try and drive smoothly as I always try to do.

Having said that, I went round with Tony Bell and he is more agressive in turn in that I am and likes to throw the back out on the car. His technique was working equally aswell I have to say.

[Stuart]

Ok, so taking that as an example Dunk, was your turn in point wider or shallower because of the available grip or didn't you alter it? It's not so much throttle use as we on the same song sheet there, smooth is good, but more about how we balance the car and the cars position in relation to the corners and whether that varies subject to the weather.
Interesting point on trail braking. Was that using the left foot or was that just braking into the first part of the corner?

[duncan]

Turn in at the same point - smoothest fastest line is the same dry or wet. Grip wise, the track was fairly "green" so not a vast difference grip wise i didnt think.

We have discussed the different lines into that corner - maybe Ben can help us decide which of the two accepted lines will work better for us.

Coram on the other hand... couldnt find a line that didnt involve a nice 4 wheel drift

Trail braking with right foot as I dont trust my left to be subtle enough

[stockcar]

not been to Snet as a driver, but generally on track i'll use left foot to 'balance' car particuarly in fast corners - line as above similiar wet or dry...........

[TonyB]

Good thread Stu :thumb:

Commenting on the Snetterton in the wet:

I can confirm that Duncan's technique is very smooth indeed, with nice clean lines. He clearly thinks hard about what he is trying to achieve. This worked very well, gradually building speed and confidence. Going out with Duncan first gave me some very good sighting laps from the passenger seat. On the otherhand I went for later braking, Sharp turn in, and masses of power on the exit, battling with the forced oversteer (naturally my car would understeer like mad). Now, Duncan and I know that we are fairly evenly matched in the power/weight stakes - Duncan was faster all in all on the day, and that is not counting time lost in my 2 spins, but I think I had the most fun :twisted:

My second session of the day was much drier than the first. I adjusted my driving by softening my turn in, for the sake of tyre wear, left foot breaking mid-esses (please do not try this if you are unsure!!), and getting on the loud pedal a little earlier. Russell cought me out as it dried, as the backend decided to grip/snatch early on left turn-in and catapulted me into the grass :oops:

I look forward to a Dry session at snetterton to see how I tackle things, and until then I will shut up :lol:

[duncan]

I reckon it was very close time wise Tony.... but you are right, I had an absolute ball in that passenger seat, it must have bee cracking fun in your seat

[alwayzsidewayz]

I did my first event in the wet on Sunday, and it posed a real challenge.

The Sprint was at Waterbeach airfield, the track was bumpy and breaking up a little and there were lots of puddles of standing water to cope with and as the day wore on mud on the racing line which others cars were bringing on to the track.

I really struggled with the car under hard braking from a short 3rd gear straight to a tight 90 left, more than one time having the rear of the car try to overtake the front.

Also I found that in the faster sweeping corners I was too aggressive and struggled to get the car settled so I could accelerate all the way though the corner ( this lost me lots of time as it lead to the fastest straight)

In conditions like these, what tips would you suggest, by the end of the day I was much smoother on all my inputs but I still could not address the two issues above.

Cheers in advance

[Mr Fletcher]

i'm afraid that i don't have enough wet weather experience to give any technical imput , but it looks like i might have some more
after friday , will just work on keeping it smooth and off the kerbs . will be watching this thread closely to gather tips .

cheers


jason

[ESL]

I did my first event in the wet on Sunday, and it posed a real challenge.

The Sprint was at Waterbeach airfield, the track was bumpy and breaking up a little and there were lots of puddles of standing water to cope with and as the day wore on mud on the racing line which others cars were bringing on to the track.

I really struggled with the car under hard braking from a short 3rd gear straight to a tight 90 left, more than one time having the rear of the car try to overtake the front.

Also I found that in the faster sweeping corners I was too aggressive and struggled to get the car settled so I could accelerate all the way though the corner ( this lost me lots of time as it lead to the fastest straight)

In conditions like these, what tips would you suggest, by the end of the day I was much smoother on all my inputs but I still could not address the two issues above.

Cheers in advance

Standing water is a bitch on airfield aprons/peri tracks with poor runoff and tyre choice/tread depth is fundamental to traction. In a straight line I just prepare for rampant wheelspin when it begins to plane and come off the throttle as required. In a corner I avoid at all costs and look for another line if available.