I recently spun BADLY going 70 in 3rd around a long turn. I was going around it, not accelerating, and I adjusted a little as the turn got sharper. This caused the tires started to scream, so I lifted off the throttle slightly and smoothly to satisfy the tires. Suddenly the nose and tail instantly traded places! It was total surprise. I did just short of a 180 degree spin, and slid diagonally and backwards while braking. I came to a stop safely and my nose stayed in its new position throughout the breaking. Fortunately it was a closed road in a safe area and I didn't hit the curb. I think if I had hit the curb at such an angle and speed, the car might have flipped.

It felt like the brakes locked up, but I think that sensation was from the tires having tremendous diagonal pressure on them. The edge of the tires (almost on the sidewalls) were damaged a bit from the sliding.

I regularly go faster than that around that turn with no problems or tire shreiking, but I later found out my air pressure had gotten way off, and I think that contributed.

lessons learned:
check air pressure more regularly
know your car
be careful (although this was very hard to anticipate)

 

What was the outside temperature?

 

Glad to hear you are o.k. bud. Here are a couple more additions for your list.

1. Do not change gears on a curve
2. Do no lift off the throttle when you feel your rear tires are about to break holding

 

60 F, tires warm.

I didn't shift. so should I have kept on the gas although the turn got tighter and the tires started shreiking? I think that would have had a similar result?

 

When you lifted off the throttle, you transferred weight off the back tires. With less weight, they have less grip; since you were already at the limits of traction, you swapped ends. This is one of those things that time on the track teaches you fast...I highly recommend doing some track days. It makes a big difference in how well drivers understand their cars.

3 cents,
Tanq

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sir Tom GT
[B]60 F, tires warm.

I didn't shift.

 

Well, in your case where you are about to break rear wheel friction point when the curve is getting tighter is a no win situation.

If you disrupt the balance of the car (let off gas, hit the brakes), the car will 180...and the car will go towards the curb. If you can stop the car in time...no harm done, if not...maybe some cracked wheels or suspension damage.

If you keep the gas constant and try to countersteer the rear end, you might be able to take a late apex while sliding sideways through the turn. If your speed is too great and hit the curb, your car may flip over...or just total your car's suspension/axels.

 

sir tom...where were you??? i live in atlanta, and i would like to check this turn out..there are a few nice turns by where i stay (access road 13 i think that leads to buford hwy at the beginning of the road coming from peachtree st..)..if you get a chance, let me know what turn you are talkin about..i am always looking for fun turns in the A-T-L...thanks

 

Lifting off is such a natural reaction when you feel the back going, but it's the most fatal!! The best course of action once you feel you're on the edge is to feather the throttle whilst tryng to bleed off a little speed, whilst maintaing course. Bet it was scary!!

Re. the squealing... were you on SO2's ?

 

That is exactly what happened to me when I wrecked. The details are different, but after I knew I was in trouble and I tried to compensate the rear end came around "instantly". You could even see from the skid marks that it swapped ends in about a car length. Certainly not enough time to make any corrections that would help.

Anyway, glad you came away with no damage.