Track Prep for Rain [Archive]

CurtiSS 69

09-20-2007, 09:27 PM

Hello All,

It looks like it will rain on Saturday at Infineon. Luckily Sunday looks dry. Any tips on setup for rain such as tire pressures. It should be very slippery (water on oil), as this the first rain since spring. It's tough because the original buyer of the car is coming on Saturday to ride as a passenger in his restored car on track at speed. Thanks in advance.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

fast Ed

09-21-2007, 06:45 AM

Soften up the shock, spring, and stab. bar settings, if you have any adjustability there.

Go a bit higher on the tire pressures, since the pressure won't increase as much as in the dry, due to the lower temps generated.

And make sure you drive extra smooooooooooooth !!

cheers
Ed N.

wendell

09-21-2007, 07:57 AM

Our rain set up is a pair of lawn chairs under the awning. The caster and camber settings remain the same but we increase the settings on the grill for increased lunch out put.

Seriously, the car stays in the trailer when it rains. There's not a lot to learn about a heavy traction limited car when it's wet and the risk is too great.

If you're bent on going out there, Fast Ed is on the mark (I've set the car up a few times for rain). I'd add that on top of increasing the pressure due to less heat, you also want to add a bit more to reduce the contact patch. This will help prevent hydroplaning by pressing water out from the center of the tire.

Be careful out there.

CurtiSS 69

09-21-2007, 02:01 PM

Thanks for the responses Ed and Wendell. Your advise is well taken. I will bump the tire pressures up and go around in a gear higher too avoid wheelspin, and make very smooth transitions. If the conditions proove to be really bad I will tour the Wine Country instead. Sunday has a dry forecast, so not all would be lost.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

c4racer

09-21-2007, 08:55 PM

I don't think this system will produce much rain. Forecast is 30-40% chance of showers in the AM only. Maybe wait it out - you should get a full afternoon of dry sessions if nothing else. SP is not a track to tackle in the wet in a Camaro - IMHO.

MrQuick

09-21-2007, 09:22 PM

I agree its been drop and run all night. Sonoma's been dry all day. rain or shine is the best racing!

David Pozzi

09-23-2007, 10:04 PM

We got .5" near Monterey.
Hope the event went OK.

Generally you want to not combine cornering and braking or cornering and accelerating. You can go pretty good in a straight line, but brake straight then let off gently and begin your turns at greatly reduced speeds.

The greatest risk is braking too late and turning in too hard.
David

CurtiSS 69

09-24-2007, 11:00 PM

Hello All,

It did not go as expected, but it was great. There was heavy rain on the way to the track, but it stopped on arrival to the track. The Formula cars and other groups that went first put down a fairly dry line for my first run of the day. I did venture out in some wet sections for the experience (yes it was slippery). The second session was fairly dry. the third session had light rain, but the track was dry with good grip until about 15 minutes into the session and I crested Turn 3a and landed on the other side to almost no traction, it was quite a moment as it was totally unexpected. The track was wet in isolated spots. The wet areas were of course after 3a, 7, 8 and 8a. The surprise was they did not appear to be visibly wet. The track was unpredictable and I pulled in after a lap of not knowing were the traction would be (now I know what racers go through at Assen). The remainder of the Weekend was dry. I would go out in a full wet session though, as I would know what to expect. All the advise from everyone here really helped, and the NASA folks helped as well. I had such a great time I am going to return at the next event in November. This is truly a great track.

The original owner came by on Saturday and he rode with me for two sessions and got photos and video on my last session that day. He was astonished at how well his former vehicle handled the track, but much thanks goes to David's First Gen Suspension page. On Sunday I gave a ride to a friend that stopped by and an Australian guy that worked at Wine Country Motorsports who has a similar car back in Australia. A good time was had by all.

I got a non-racing bonus on Friday night as I was heading to dinner in Old Town Petaluma. I past the Mystic Theater and I saw **** Dale (yes the King of the Surf Guitar) on the marque. It only cost me $20 so I went for it and it was one the best concerts I have ever been to (small theater and great performers). Even the opening band (The Pyronauts) were excellent, so good I bought 2 of their CD's.

It was an absolutely great Weekend.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

vanzuuk1

10-16-2007, 08:01 PM

A few pics would be nice...

CurtiSS 69

10-18-2007, 09:05 PM

Maybe someone from the forum could come out and take photos, or better yet bring their car and join in on the fun! I will be back on track 11 November. It will be a good time. The original owner was out my last run and I will see if the video he shot can be posted on U-tube? They are only very short clips as I was battling with a late model Mustang through the Esses though.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

David Pozzi

10-24-2007, 08:13 PM

Yes! we want PHOTOS!!! :)
Hope this one is dry.
What organization are you driving with?
David

CurtiSS 69

10-26-2007, 09:19 PM

I now have some video clips and photos that the original owner took when he wasn't riding along. How do I post them here?
As far as the conditions, I'll settle for fully wet or fully dry. I didn't enjoy the wet here dry there conditions in session three on Saturday. The car did some serious dancing after the top of 3 after going through a relatively dry 2.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

fast Ed

10-27-2007, 05:36 PM

Just out at Mosport today for a lapping event, sharing a friend's 07 Mustang GT. Mixed bag of weather, fog, light rain, heavy rain, dry for one session. His car has non-adjustable Bilsteins. Ran on the 19" Goodyear GS-D3 rubber off my Super Coupe, worked pretty well starting at 38 / 34 psi.

I think I want an S197 Mustang now. :razz:

cheers
Ed N.

M-bird

12-10-2007, 04:59 PM