Mack

Looks like we may have rain here for the AutoX Sunday. I'm interested in any guidance about driving and setting up the car for a wet course. I'm still bone stock....

Thanks!

RacerX

Drop the pressure in your tires. Given that you are bone stock, that's about the only thing you can adjust! The main thing is to look at the course very well before you run. Some times we've had rain, but the course was dried out by all the big fellas on sticky, hot tires. Other times, it's been a struggle not to hydroplane. Once you have an idea of conditions, you know how hard to push the car on the course. Lower traction = higher times. Just relax and go with it )

Mack

Hey what do you mean relax! I am relaxed! Come on!

Anyway.....you make a good point about setup. Guess pressure is the only variable there.Duh

I'm hoping the rain holds off but if not I'll run lower pressures and take it easy....I was really looking forward to running in the dry since it's only my second time but hey experience is experience!

Thanks RacerX!

PS. any particular attire more appropriate for a rainy autoX?Hats, Ponchos, color combos hummm just to many decisions.

Jason Saini

Bring 5 umbrellas and a pancho and it won't rain... leave that stuff at home if you want rain practice. Seriously, Rich is right about lowering pressures. I'd run at 34/30 or 34/32 and raise the fronts if the car is too loose. That applies to the S02s. The Kumhos (if it's damp) you would run a little lower.

Rain and slick conditions is the best practice. The type of smoothness required to go fast is just like in the dry, but you can't get away with as much. The Dry can mask mistakes that the wet brings out. Like Rich said, be smooth, unwind the wheel, and apply power a little later.

Overdrive OP

My setup for the rain...

An imaginary egg glued to my right foot, the arm strength of a 4 year old, and pretend you are driving grandma to church!
Oh yeah and a BIG smile, I love AutoXing in the rain.

One important thing to remember is that the dry line may be faster than the correct line. I have learned more in the wet than the dry.

Ole
White/Red

CoralDoc

Last year, the one event I won was in the rain ... fortunately, Ole was in a different class that day . As has been stated, autocrossing in the wet lets you learn about the limits of the car at a slower speed, and really encourages smooth driving. Besides, how else could you discover that the anti-lock braking system works when you're travelling backwards ?