Going sideways in an F430 | FerrariChat

Going sideways in an F430

Discussion in '360/430' started by F430addict, Jan 10, 2011.

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  1. F430addict

    F430addict F1 Rookie

    Sep 17, 2010
    4,460
    Ok, here's the story. Last night I was cruising down the highway with some mates after dinner. The floor was wet and there was slight drizzle. I was going at 160kph, cruising on fifth at 2500rpm. My mate was driving his Techart-tuned Porker so we thought we might just give it a go, nothing crazy coz the road was absolutely clear and we had 5 lanes to ourselves. At 160kph, I hit my newly fitted carbonio CS paddles (love it), dropping from fifth to fourth and gunned it.

    The tail end of my 430 swung out of the left before it pulled back to the right, left again and then right and then straight. I couldn't catch if any of the indicators on the dash were flashing like christmas lights coz my life was basically flashing before my eyes. LOL.

    Needless to say the Porker just took off in a straight line (later I found out he dropped from 5th to 3rd and went on till he hit 240kph before he realised I was lost behind). I slowed the car down and checked my trunks for stains, fortunately none else my tan seats would have been soiled.

    Moral of the story, treat the car with respect as it will tame you, not the other way round. Glad to be alive. The 430 is resting well in the garage. Love the sound of the exhaust setup (Fabspeed headers and test pipe and Capristo Twin Sound). Finally the CEL lighted up.
     
  2. bmw550i

    bmw550i Karting

    Feb 1, 2008
    208
    you crazy guy you lol
     
  3. JazzyO

    JazzyO F1 World Champ

    Jan 14, 2007
    12,156
    The Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Onno
    It usually takes something like this for people to realise what they're driving. I've thrown my 550 sideways quite a few times until I overcooked it and realised I'm not as good as I thought I was. Congrats on the lesson, I'm sure you'll use it well.


    Onno
     
  4. eric355

    eric355 Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 30, 2005
    1,225
    Toulouse (France)
    Full Name:
    Eric DECOUX
    160 kph @ 2500rpm ... mmmm , that's 544 kph at redline ... and you were only in fifth !!!
    Wow :)
     
  5. F430addict

    F430addict F1 Rookie

    Sep 17, 2010
    4,460
    Opps...wrong on the rpm. Must have shat in my pants resulting in memory loss or fizziness. Must have been 6th then. Dropping to 5th, didn't.t expect it to throw the tail out. I agree, an invaluable lesson. It ain't an M6.....
     
  6. eric355

    eric355 Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 30, 2005
    1,225
    Toulouse (France)
    Full Name:
    Eric DECOUX
    Even in 6th, 160kph should be close to 4200rpm (assuming a max speed of #320 kph at redline). Downshifting to 5 probably put you above 5000rpm with a lot of torque at full throttle, able to break the tires on the wet.
    Should not be too funny behind the wheel ...
    The manetino is your friend ... when set in the adequate position ;)
     
  7. SfefVan

    SfefVan Guest

    Nov 28, 2008
    1,370
    Switzerland
    Full Name:
    Stef
    Good you got out of this situation safe and alife ;) I don't know if yours is a F1 but that's one of the reasons I prefer my manual gear F430 because when downshifting in such conditions, you can at least blib the throttle high enough to get the right rpm match once the lower gear is engaged. This avoids any micro-blockings of the rear wheels. May I advice you to take some ice/snow driving lessons. That's how I learned many years ago how to trigger the "micro-blocking" of the rear wheels when downshifting and on ice, the effect is immediate :D. The best way to learn is on ice because you don't need to go fast to get the effect of mistakes as little as they are. And you don't need a powerfull car for that, just any rear-wheel driving car ;) Take care.
    Stef
     
  8. 2000YELLOW360

    2000YELLOW360 F1 World Champ

    Jun 5, 2001
    19,800
    Full Name:
    Art
    On a wet road, the 430 is, in the wrong hands, very dangerous. The reason the little dial on the right of the steering wheel has that indicator to set the traction control for wet roads is that the car needs it.

    I strongly suggest you take a class in performance driving before you end up killing either yourself or yourself and your passenger. These cars are not to be driven by people who just have enough money to buy them. They require talent to drive quickly, along with knowledge.

    Don't mean to trash you, but again, these cars aren't as docile as a Honda, and require some knowledge to drive.

    Art
     
  9. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,166
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    #9 tazandjan, Jan 11, 2011
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2011
    On wet roads, traction varies so much from side to side that the E-Diff cannot keep up with it at really high torque settings. Once you pulled the seat cushion out of your sphincter, you learned a valuable lesson. Even worse in some cars with considerably more torque than an F430, poorer weight distribution, and no E-Diff.

    Driving in low traction conditions requires being smooth, and sudden downshifts to the torque peak are not smooth.

    Taz
    Terry Phillips
     
  10. hangarsixco

    hangarsixco Formula Junior

    Oct 10, 2010
    396
    S. California
    Full Name:
    Chris
    Highly agreed!
     
  11. F430addict

    F430addict F1 Rookie

    Sep 17, 2010
    4,460
    Good point, wouldn't know how a Honda handles, never owned one. Wasn't expecting this reaction from the 430. Downshifts at such speeds and rpm in my tuned M6 was fine...just keeps on pulling. 160kph isn't that fast to be honest. And downshifting from 6th to 5th isn't that big a deal...not dropping 2-3 gears, that'd be just plain stupid. For the 430 to lose her tail on 5th is just suprising to me.
     
  12. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

    If you did the same thing in a 360 you probably would have been off the road in an uncontrollable spin and dealing with whatever was next.....
     
  13. F430addict

    F430addict F1 Rookie

    Sep 17, 2010
    4,460
    Serious? Dropping from 6th to 5th does that? With the F1 transmission?....what beast have I bought?
     
  14. hangarsixco

    hangarsixco Formula Junior

    Oct 10, 2010
    396
    S. California
    Full Name:
    Chris
    F430addict,

    Did your CEL light ever turn off?

     
  15. Testacojones

    Testacojones F1 Veteran

    Nov 3, 2003
    5,198
    Florida
    Full Name:
    Luix Lecusay
    You bought a Ferrari which is drivers car and not a sedan like a bmw. I learned to respect cars when I was 16 in my 928s, from there on I have never lost control of a car without expecting it first. The 360/430 cars will bite your head off if you provoke them. Be careful on the wet, in the dry they are far far safer.
     
  16. mikebrinda

    mikebrinda Formula Junior
    BANNED

    Dec 21, 2008
    627
    You bought a beast that gives no warning before it snaps. It's not progressive--- it just lets loose. You find those points at the track, not on the street.

    Mike
     
  17. Buxton

    Buxton Formula Junior

    Oct 31, 2010
    484
    Full Name:
    B Buxton

    Its almost like he wasn't there.
    How surreal
     
  18. F430addict

    F430addict F1 Rookie

    Sep 17, 2010
    4,460
    Started the car in the morning and it's not there. Why? Is it supposed to stay there till it gets switched off by hooking up to the ecu to download the codes?
     
  19. F430addict

    F430addict F1 Rookie

    Sep 17, 2010
    4,460
    Cmon, enough of that already. A genuine newbee error. I was barely hanging in there so i must have been wrong bat the rpm...but speed was def 160 and in sixth...or eighth or ninth...now that would be surreal.
     
  20. fingolfin

    fingolfin Formula 3

    Apr 23, 2007
    1,248
    #20 fingolfin, Jan 12, 2011
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2011
    Definitely. Better to learn the limits in an environment where the penalty is being stuck in a sand trap than plowing into a concrete barrier or worse.

    That said, I bet the thrill was awesome. That kind of rush is one of the best parts of life, in my opinion.
     
  21. switchcars

    switchcars Formula 3

    Jul 28, 2005
    2,223
    Full Name:
    Doug
    Be thankful....everyone has to learn their limits by going past them....this one didn't cost you anything.

    One thing I'll say, with the 430 and 360....when that does happen, STAY IN IT.....let the computers do the traction work, but if you get sideways and lift especially in a mid-engined car....that's when you go around.
     
  22. F430addict

    F430addict F1 Rookie

    Sep 17, 2010
    4,460
    Not the sideways part for sure...the computers sure did do it's part to straighten things out. I'm here typing this ain't I? Love the 430. Have a new found respect for her.
     
  23. fingolfin

    fingolfin Formula 3

    Apr 23, 2007
    1,248
    Yeah, thank goodness for the electronic nanny. If this were 30 years ago and you were in a similar car, it would probably be done for. It gives you a whole new respect for the racing drivers of yesteryear.

    All in all, I'm glad you and the computer made the save and you can keep enjoying your car.
     
  24. Akram

    Akram Formula Junior

    Aug 17, 2009
    352
    Clive, Iowa
    Full Name:
    Ray Salloum
    I would of straightened it out and beat the Porker! Fishtails right, steer right, fishtails left, steer left, and get out of it. No Porker beats a Ferrari, dam it!
     
  25. hangarsixco

    hangarsixco Formula Junior

    Oct 10, 2010
    396
    S. California
    Full Name:
    Chris
    I am not sure I was curious to know if the system cleared out the code on it's own or if you need it cleared with an SD2 or SD3.



     

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