Holy Sh*t Rain!

[klammer]

Spent this past weekend up at Road America in pretty horrible conditions, but felt it was one of the best weekends in terms of becoming a better driver as these were not easy conditions. Pouring rain, winds up to 20 mph, and mid 40's That being said, with the windows up and pitting under the fixed awnings at the start of the front straight (good call Matt) was fairly protected from the elements. Really felt like I had to listen to the car and search for the grip out there, but some turns were just horrible, 3, 7, 14 for eg. Oddly enough, felt I had the most grip on the track going round the carousel on the outside, but was a bit scary on the edge in those conditions. Here's a clip from day 2, and did improve by about 10 seconds in pretty similar conditions by searching out the grip in, sometimes, unlikely places. Great learning experience and yeah, I'm listening to the radio

Was crazy how much DSC was kicking in on the straights, not the corners as much. Relieved to have made it out in one piece.A 991 was getting flatbedded back as I left. Cya next year RA!

[bigjae1976]

Rain driving is an EXCELLENT learning tool. IMO, it separates the men from the boys. I remember driving an entire weekend in low 40's/high 30's in the rain. That event really fixed my throttle smoothness issue as well as really improving my looking and thinking ahead.

I find the worst part about rain driving is when its drying out. Because you're going a little faster and really not sure if there's more grip...before you know it your sawing the steering wheel trying to save it.

If you think RA is slick in the wet...try Motorsport Ranch in Cresson, TX. The dry line is like an ice rink.

[Killerfish2012]

It rained like crazy over here, so I had a feeling you would be affected. My last outing at road america sucked too cuz, I couldn't get the car to function. She kept throwing codes. I'm going to gingerman on saturday, for their season ender, wanna come with? It's an open house, so $150, and you can race from 9-5. Only novice or advanced. Should be fun.

[flipm3]

Very cool video! I can definitely see how this is a great learning experience.

Did you run with normal DSC On or MDM?
What are you gauges measuring?

Great video as always! Hopefully I can join you all next year if my schedule allows!

[signes]

Great video! Love driving/racing in the rain, you're right it really puts a premium on proper technique. And it is surprising sometimes how much the best line can vary in the rain and where the grip is. No matter what track you are on, if its wet always try experimenting with your line.

[klammer]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Rain driving is an EXCELLENT learning tool. IMO, it separates the men from the boys. I remember driving an entire weekend in low 40's/high 30's in the rain. That event really fixed my throttle smoothness issue as well as really improving my looking and thinking ahead.

I find the worst part about rain driving is when its drying out. Because you're going a little faster and really not sure if there's more grip...before you know it your sawing the steering wheel trying to save it.

If you think RA is slick in the wet...try Motorsport Ranch in Cresson, TX. The dry line is like an ice rink.

Completely agree about the 1/2 and 1/2 scenario. Either wet or dry, the tweener is what bites you.

Originally Posted by Purple Derple

Yes you will find grip on the outside of the carousel in the wet. Because the inside is where the dry line is, it is very polished and slick in the rain.

The outside was like it was dry, was crazy, but definitely opened my eyes.

Originally Posted by Killerfish2012

It rained like crazy over here, so I had a feeling you would be effected. My last outing at road america sucked too cuz, I couldn't get the car to function. She kept throwing codes. I'm going to gingerman on saturday, for their season ender, wanna come with? It's an open house, so $150, and you can race from 9-5. Only novice or advanced. Should be fun.

I'll be there

Originally Posted by flipm3

Very cool video! I can definitely see how this is a great learning experience.

Did you run with normal DSC On or MDM?
What are you gauges measuring?

Great video as always! Hopefully I can join you all next year if my schedule allows!

Full DSC and dialed the shift speed down to 2, no M button. Checking water temp, oil temp and oil pressure on the gauges, but TBH there more for show than go.

Originally Posted by signes

Great video! Love driving/racing in the rain, you're right it really puts a premium on proper technique. And it is surprising sometimes how much the best line can vary in the rain and where the grip is. No matter what track you are on, if its wet always try experimenting with your line.

Yeah... Almost looking forward to another rain day... almost

[Killerfish2012]

Originally Posted by klammer

I'll be there

cool, just register on their website, to reserve a spot. See you there brother!

[klammer]

Originally Posted by Purple Derple

Especially on turns with banking, the high edge will almost always have more grip in the rain due to the fact that all the rubber is laid low in the turn and also because the oil will wash down towards the apex when it rains.

Good points, thank you

[persian54]

I remember last year, when my RS3s were almost gone (50-60% in my opinion is almost gone), it was raining really hard at button willow.

It helped me get really really smoother there that when it dried up the next time I went, I gained a LOT of time.

It was really fun. only thing was that you had to really watch out for others... .I remember we had over 50 offs that day. Fortunately I didn't have 1 .

Tracking in the rain can be fun.

[Porschefile]

for rain driving and for Tool. Although the only time I've driven with the radio on was when the track was red flagged and I was bored. I drove RA in the rain on slicks (it started dry) and the whole track was pretty damn scary.

[klammer]

Originally Posted by Porschefile

for rain driving and for Tool. Although the only time I've driven with the radio on was when the track was red flagged and I was bored. I drove RA in the rain on slicks (it started dry) and the whole track was pretty damn scary.

Rain was coming down so hard couldn't hear anything anyway so figured I'd crank some tunes, and 10,000 days from Tool has some great storm parts in it so was just going for the whole experience : Couldn't imagine doing it on slicks

[paradocs98]

Good for you for sticking it out and running anyway despite the horrible weather. At least you guys were able to keep windows up and use turn signals for point-bys. All the groups out here insist on windows down, even in the rain.

Your hands look very light and relaxed. Impressive considering the conditions.

[Samo6556]

It was nice to meet you Keith. Hopefully next track day we are at we can at least get one dry day. Either way it was still
A good weekend.

[OC3]

Thanks for posting this video. Now I know what to expect if and when I try it in the rain.

Which tires were you running?

[adc]

What tires were you running? I found out I don't like the RS3 at all in the wet and cold, too abrupt, but the PS2's are very progressive by comparison.

So far I did Watkins Glen in the rain (scary with a chipped 335i on all seasons), Shenandoah (intimidating due to the limited run off areas, and slick as snot) and Summit Main.

Of all, I like Summit Main the best in the rain, you can build a rhythm and go explore for more grip, knowing there is a good amount of room if you get it wrong.

[klammer]

Originally Posted by paradocs98

Good for you for sticking it out and running anyway despite the horrible weather. At least you guys were able to keep windows up and use turn signals for point-bys. All the groups out here insist on windows down, even in the rain.

Your hands look very light and relaxed. Impressive considering the conditions.

Thanks dude Windows up helps a lot!

Originally Posted by Samo6556

It was nice to meet you Keith. Hopefully next track day we are at we can at least get one dry day. Either way it was still
A good weekend.

Great meeting you Matt, think we made the most of it

Originally Posted by OC3

Thanks for posting this video. Now I know what to expect if and when I try it in the rain.

Which tires were you running?

Originally Posted by adc

What tires were you running? I found out I don't like the RS3 at all in the wet and cold, too abrupt, but the PS2's are very progressive by comparison.

So far I did Watkins Glen in the rain (scary with a chipped 335i on all seasons), Shenandoah (intimidating due to the limited run off areas, and slick as snot) and Summit Main.

Of all, I like Summit Main the best in the rain, you can build a rhythm and go explore for more grip, knowing there is a good amount of room if you get it wrong.

Was running the AD08's which I thought did pretty well considering conditions

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by klammer

Thanks dude Windows up helps a lot!

Sucks when you're in a turn and you're getting rain in your eyes...not cool.