Wet Trackways - the way forward

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 11:05 am

Is anyone else watching all this rain falling and wishing they were on track sliding around?

In the last few years, probably with the exception of the Ring (purely from a people crashing in to you POV) and Spa (as its just not the same through some of the high G bends in the wet) I find myself positively pining for rain. Even in the Atom, before i sold it.

Sideways, slithering, lower speeds to find the limit, my inner pikee loving the fact that the wear on the car and tyres is hugely reduced also, but fun, skill and challenge are all amplified.

Ive been stunned at the balance of some lotus products (Elise/340R/Evora/Exige V6 Cup) in the wet, focused like never before in the R400 in the wet at the Ring, and the Gt3 style products were simply awesome (probably as they were on road tyres or slightly less trackway tyres). Atom was genial in the wet, and you should have tried do the passenger laps at drift land in the wet - even at 20mph you could pass the point of return, such was the absence of traction. Oulton in the snow in the Atom was another issue though, although hilarious....

I'll have to console myself with a golf coaching session shortly instead - not quiet the same adrenalin rush

So I thought i'd create a poll, to see who favours wet over dry (or even a mix of both)

tut · Post by **tut** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 11:13 am

Mix. Having done so many KH's in the wet I reckon it helped me a lot with road driving, but 150 in the wet at Spa has me thinking of mortality, so prefer it on the lower speed tracks.

Tyres make a big difference of course, worn 888's at the Ring or Spa are way different to T1R's or ADO's.

tut

David · Post by **David** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 12:03 pm

I never used to like the wet days but that's changed with over time. I've done some really good days in the wet, but do like it to be properly wet rather than damp/dry line conditions.

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 12:35 pm

David wrote:I never used to like the wet days but that's changed with over time. I've done some really good days in the wet, but do like it to be properly wet rather than damp/dry line conditions.

Properly wet is great fun. The drying / wetting track gives very changeable conditions, no two laps the same, which offers its own challenges. A fully wet track is usually fairly consistent in my experience. Also usually fairly empty. And as the owner of a fairly low powered car, it's a great leveller, where power is less of an advantage.

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 12:44 pm

Mike Scib · Post by **Mike Scib** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 12:45 pm

My ideal track day is wet in the morning to have a play, get a feel for the track again with a dry line appearing before lunch to keep you on your toes! Then dry in the afternoon after lunch for some Av-et driving!!

Stu160 · Post by **Stu160** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 2:14 pm

Mike Scib wrote:My ideal track day is wet in the morning to have a play, get a feel for the track again with a dry line appearing before lunch to keep you on your toes! Then dry in the afternoon after lunch for some Av-et driving!!

Same.

I will look out the picture i have of the mighty VX at Spa, in very heavy rain, what a blast. Think they red flagged it a few times for standing water, but i didnt mind.

Stu

tut · Post by **tut** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 2:35 pm

I went out with you Stu as that was the day that I had the worn 888's on and it was getting dangerous.

Could not believe the grip you were getting on I think T1R's.

tut

BigD · Post by **BigD** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 2:39 pm

Yep, really enjoy wet trackdays. Been hoping for one since I got the Elise and managed to get dry most of the time. Dony and Oulton were epic in the wet and I always feel I get a much better feel for the car in the wet.

Meant I could do a whole hour session and not overheat the car, tyres or brakes. Awesome!!

robin · Post by **robin** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 3:14 pm

Snow.

tut · Post by **tut** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 3:30 pm

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 7:36 pm

robin wrote:Snow.

Bring it on!

I usually take my elise out for some winter fun when it snows.

Snowy track day would be awesome!

Simon82 · Post by **Simon82** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 8:27 pm

Both have good and bad points. Wet morning and dry afternoon would be my choice as wet followed by more wet didn't really do it for me last time out

Kinger · Post by **Kinger** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 8:30 pm

Loved the double header this year with the variable weather. Donnington was amazing early on when it was very wet. I even managed to scalp a couple of V6's with the S1 when it was at its wettest, but a completely different story when it dried out for a bit, they just left me on the straights.

I'm just going to have to get used to have no ABS etc in the S1, the grip was great just getting it to stop was my problem.

Jam_s160 · Post by **Jam_s160** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 9:18 pm

Always prefer wet Karting, mountain biking and ,recent wet track days I feel the same too

Scottish Elises