Driving in the rain | FerrariChat

Driving in the rain

Discussion in 'Tracking & Driver Education' started by ktr6, Nov 21, 2014.

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  1. ktr6

    ktr6 Formula Junior

    Mar 25, 2011
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    Knoxville, TN
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    Keith
    #1 ktr6, Nov 21, 2014
    Headed to Road Atlanta on Sunday for a track day to shake the car down. From the looks of it we are going to be in for a pretty wet day. I have been at this for a while but have never been out on track in rain. Besides putting on my Hoosier rains and making sure the wipers are in good shape, what else should I focus/work on for the day? I realize finding grip will be the key to stay on track.

    Appreciate any words of wisdom.
     
  2. ProCoach

    ProCoach F1 Veteran
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    Peter Krause
    #2 ProCoach, Nov 22, 2014
    Interior glass visibility stops more folks than anything. Fogging up of the visor and/or windshield is the problem. Do what you can to prepare.
     
  3. OhioMark

    OhioMark Formula Junior

    Feb 16, 2006
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    #3 OhioMark, Nov 22, 2014
    Don't drive the normal line you would in the dry and stay off the curbs.
     
  4. daviday

    daviday Formula 3
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    #4 daviday, Nov 25, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2014
    I can't figure out how to upload a video here. Or work a link for that matter.

    It's very very very vehicle dependent regarding.
    Eg, on certain cars your left foot is the primary ratio in the aspect. While on others - the left half of your right foot is.

    EI, if you bang a gear and you're not paying attention - I hope you ate your wheaties and did some curls along your quest.

    https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=984000188280201
     
  5. okiedude

    okiedude Formula 3

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    #5 okiedude, Nov 25, 2014
    Rain-x anti fog wipes for inside of windshield (see above), also for helmet visor and glasses. If it's raining hard, seeing other cars taillights is a challenge. Be patient, and then be more patient. If you have ABS, it can be a lifesaver. Brake early and gently, with or w/o ABS.Great time to work on both under and oversteer.
    Learn where the water pools or runs over the track, you will hydroplane there.
     
  6. ktr6

    ktr6 Formula Junior

    Mar 25, 2011
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    Keith
    #6 ktr6, Nov 25, 2014
    Thanks everyone for the tips. I would really encourage anyone to go out in the rain and give it a shot. Really forces you to work on smooth and controlled driving. Tips I picked up:

    -make sure your defroster works
    -check your wipers to make sure they work well
    -use rain tires
    -unhooking sway bars seems to help with traction
    -tire pressures will vary, check them often. It's not easy to build heat
    -stay off the curbing, it's really slick when wet
    -you will pick up speed in wet grass
    -good places to pick up traction changes throughout the day. It's not always in the same place
    -be smooth, rev matching really helps
    -I often would stay a gear up of where I would normally would be
     
  7. Bas

    Bas Four Time F1 World Champ

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    #7 Bas, Nov 26, 2014
    Don't touch the painted lines....

    :)
     
  8. 121Designer

    121Designer Formula Junior

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    Joshua Lange
    #8 121Designer, Nov 30, 2014
    ...and don't forget your golashes
     
  9. Alden

    Alden F1 Rookie
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    #9 Alden, Jun 12, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  10. Nuvolari

    Nuvolari F1 Veteran
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    #10 Nuvolari, Jun 13, 2015
    Driving in the rain is all about maximizing the available grip which is much lower than in the dry. Of course a whole book can be written on the subject but I would distill it down to two basic rules:

    1. Gentle inputs and transitions between all inputs will ensure that you can approach the maximum available grip without greatly overshooting them.

    2. The racing 'line' generally goes out the window. Look for shiny spots on the track and AVOID THEM at all costs.

    These two tricks should get you most of the way there to being comfortable in the wet.
     
  11. Ingenere

    Ingenere F1 Veteran
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    #11 Ingenere, Jul 29, 2015
    Your inputs need to be extra smooth. No upsetting the balance of the car.

    You do that in the dry, but really have to be extra smooth in the wet...
     
  12. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Aug 10, 2002
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    #12 fatbillybob, Jul 29, 2015
    Wet or dry tires are everything. Just like the the wet magnifys mistakes bad tires magnifys those magnifications even more. Biggest mistake is pulling out the 5 year old Hoosier rains. Just like you would not race on 5 year old hoo hoo drys, old wets are worth squat either.
     
  13. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #13 WILLIAM H, Jul 30, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    If you must drive over paint don't go full throttle, breathe the throttle.

    On the + side if they have banking you can carry a lot of speed on it

    Had a 4 hr night race at Homestead & it rained for 6 hours

    Make sure your wipers, defroster are working & have rain tires handy

    It's the best for learning car control
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  14. FerRrari

    FerRrari Formula 3

    Jan 11, 2009
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    #14 FerRrari, Aug 1, 2015

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