Watkins Glen in the wet
10-03-2011, 06:45 PM
#1
Watkins Glen in the wet
So I did my annual trip to Watkins Glen with NASA this year. My first time going up there in the S (previous years I went in my RSX) and just my luck, we had the worst possible conditions ever. Low 40s, winds, heavy fog and torrential downpour. We only got 2 sessions in on Saturday and we started off Sunday in really heavy rain. To add insult to injury, I'm running 255/40/17 Hankook RS3s all around which are horrible in the damp let alone full wet. The video below is from session one on Sunday. It started off as medium/heavy rain and got worse and worse while we were driving. You couldn't see the brake markers until you were just a few hundred feet away, same for flag stations. I think it was just worse in the car coz the wipers at max speed just wasn't clearing the windshield fast enough.
(NOTE: Skip to 8:00 minutes if you want to jump over the 2-lap full caution start)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq4wSU6pCPQ
However, I did learn so much this past weekend. Nothing teaches you how to be smooth faster than putting yourself in the worst possible condition knowing full well that a mistake could put you into a wall in a heart beat. I was fighting to keep the car pointing in the right direction even in the straights, hydroplaning everywhere shifting the car a few inches here and there. This is where the S really shines I think. The feedback in the steering, the pedals and through the seats really helped me feel the the car as the traction shifted around.
I have to admit I was a bit annoyed that we had such crappy weather but in hindsight, I think this was the best event I've ever had. The experience was phenomenal and I've gained even more confidence in the dry as a result.
Not sure if this is the most appropriate place to post this since I wasn't racing (just a HPDE) but I think it's a great opportunity to discuss driving in the wet and techniques you employ, etc.
For those unfamiliar with my setup, my car is basically a STR setup minus soft top + rollbar and hardtop + GTC-200 wing and APR splitter.
Moton Club Sports with 1000lb springs all around
Gendron front bar set to full stiff
No rear bar
255/40/17 RS3s all around
Hawk HP+ pads all around
The only thing I did for the wet was reduce the dampening 2 clicks all around to give some additional compliance over my full dry setup.
(NOTE: Skip to 8:00 minutes if you want to jump over the 2-lap full caution start)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq4wSU6pCPQ
However, I did learn so much this past weekend. Nothing teaches you how to be smooth faster than putting yourself in the worst possible condition knowing full well that a mistake could put you into a wall in a heart beat. I was fighting to keep the car pointing in the right direction even in the straights, hydroplaning everywhere shifting the car a few inches here and there. This is where the S really shines I think. The feedback in the steering, the pedals and through the seats really helped me feel the the car as the traction shifted around.
I have to admit I was a bit annoyed that we had such crappy weather but in hindsight, I think this was the best event I've ever had. The experience was phenomenal and I've gained even more confidence in the dry as a result.
Not sure if this is the most appropriate place to post this since I wasn't racing (just a HPDE) but I think it's a great opportunity to discuss driving in the wet and techniques you employ, etc.
For those unfamiliar with my setup, my car is basically a STR setup minus soft top + rollbar and hardtop + GTC-200 wing and APR splitter.
Moton Club Sports with 1000lb springs all around
Gendron front bar set to full stiff
No rear bar
255/40/17 RS3s all around
Hawk HP+ pads all around
The only thing I did for the wet was reduce the dampening 2 clicks all around to give some additional compliance over my full dry setup.
10-03-2011, 07:42 PM
#2
I'd probably have turned the compression to full soft and the rebound halfway down.
But yes, wet driving is a great learning tool.
Now try driving a road course plowed on a frozen lake in a RWD car on snow tires....
But yes, wet driving is a great learning tool.
Now try driving a road course plowed on a frozen lake in a RWD car on snow tires....
10-03-2011, 07:49 PM
#3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwCz07qNCNA
10-04-2011, 06:06 AM
#6
Yeah, during the NASA race it was pretty bizarre since it seems some people actually had a piece of cloth in the car and they were wiping the windshield as they were going down the straight...LoL.
10-04-2011, 06:48 AM
#7
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Haha, nice Steve! Glad you had fun. I'll watch the vid when I get home from work.
Adding to Charles, yes, definitely pull out as much compression as you can for the wet, it's night and day. I remember we had a rain event at a local autocross once. The fastest car was a stock Civic SI. With stock shocks and amazingly soft stock springs, it was a monster in the low grip/mixed conditions.
My buddy did a wheel to wheel race up in Watkins Glen with Nasa last weekend(I think) and it was in the rain. He was driving a white Subaru 2.5 RS in PTC.
Adding to Charles, yes, definitely pull out as much compression as you can for the wet, it's night and day. I remember we had a rain event at a local autocross once. The fastest car was a stock Civic SI. With stock shocks and amazingly soft stock springs, it was a monster in the low grip/mixed conditions.
My buddy did a wheel to wheel race up in Watkins Glen with Nasa last weekend(I think) and it was in the rain. He was driving a white Subaru 2.5 RS in PTC.
Trending Topics
10-04-2011, 12:39 PM
#8
Originally Posted by cracknut' timestamp='1317736530' post='21037798
I wish my racecar had the heater core and ducting so I could drive it in the wet.
No, I don't work for Rain-X, but, am familiar with their products and thought I might suggest them.
10-04-2011, 01:08 PM
#9
Yeah I've use Rain-X before. Never really been in rain that wipers weren't sufficient but I think I'd definitely apply some next time I go out if I expect a wash out.
10-05-2011, 04:15 AM
#10
Registered User
Sorry to hear about the weather. I was running at LRP with NASA the weekend before and our first session was on a very wet, slick track. Hardest HPDE I've ever been in!
-Mike
-Mike