Inclement weather

[LTDScott]

I was planning to go to this Sunday's event if I can get my car back together on time, but it looks like there's a slight chance the weather won't cooperate. Does the event get cancelled if that's the case or what?

[RandyC]

No, not unless it is really bad. Rain is fun to autocross in (not work though)... unless you have an open car/kart.


http://www.cpdserver.com/pic/car/autox/randy-kart-wet.jpg

[Andrew]

No, not unless it is really bad. Rain is fun to autocross in (not work though)... unless you have an open car/kart.

Makes for great stories later, though.

[frosty]

Those carts always make me think of that old Super Nintendo game "Mario Cart". The proportions are about the same. In the game you'd go into a flat spin when you hit a trap, which I've seen done by those carts.

[woodrufj]

Those carts always make me think of that old Super Nintendo game "Mario Cart". The proportions are about the same. In the game you'd go into a flat spin when you hit a trap, which I've seen done by those carts.
Yeah, but Randy could never find the mushrooms so he bought an Elise.

Jay W
505/287 Dakota

[rodger]

Well played Jason, well played.

[mievil]

So are brand new Azenis any good in the rain? I'll use my daily drivers if I need to, but I'd rather not.

[woodrufj]

So are brand new Azenis any good in the rain? I'll use my daily drivers if I need to, but I'd rather not.
I assume you're talking about the RT-615s. Much, much better than the old Azenis (RT-215s).

Jay W
505/287 Dakota

[mievil]

Yes. I just got a new set of 615s this Monday and I've got them on the car right now trying to break them in a tad. Just don't know how they'd fare on the wet, or if I should put on my Michelins for the rain.

[MX5bob]

The biggest factor when it rains is dealing with standing water. R compounds and good street tires, like the 615s, grip pretty well even on wet ashpalt. Standing water is a different deal, though. The better the tread at shedding water, the better the tire will deal with puddles.

[frosty]

I'm crossing my fingers for big puddles with my rain tires, AWD, and ABS. :p

Now, could someone tell me how to autox in the rain?

[mievil]

What's the standing water like at the Q? I can't imagine it being too bad since it's on that slope, but I'm probably wrong.

[MX5bob]

What's the standing water like at the Q? I can't imagine it being too bad since it's on that slope, but I'm probably wrong.

The drainage gutter is bad, but is often not incorporated into courses.

[RandyC]

Now, could someone tell me how to autox in the rain?

Just try to do most of everything in a straight line. Braking and acceleration. If you can figure out how to turn in a straight line, that would be even better.

Think more like point and shoot driving, if that makes sense.

[frosty]

If you can figure out how to turn in a straight line, that would be even better.

Is this the autox equivalent of catching a fly with chopsticks?


Think more like point and shoot driving, if that makes sense.

It makes plenty of sense. Basically, if I brake hard or accelerate hard when I'm turning any I'm liable to start to spin.

[chapmanr]

I've seen ducks comfortably swimming halfway up the lot, so it happens:>

It tends to disappear quickly once the rain starts.

[zads]

Forecast says "Few showers. Highs in the upper 50s and lows in the low 40s." Bring your winter coats.

There's nothing wrong with the old RT-215 Azenis in heavy rain.. those tires are magic.

My car magically floats on top a thin layer of water a lot, its pretty fun. :D

[MX5bob]

One forecast says possibly a morning shower. I hope it's at 4 a.m. :D

[frosty]

One forecast says possibly a morning shower. I hope it's at 4 a.m. :D

I'd like it to start pouring just as the run group 1 (when DS works) goes to run group 2 (when DS drives). Otherwise, it can rain whenever it wants to.

[MX5bob]

I'd like it to start pouring just as the run group 1 (when DS works) goes to run group 2 (when DS drives). Otherwise, it can rain whenever it wants to.

Nah, that's no good. CSP runs 2nd and I'm not interested in testing new shocks in the wet.

[cshodges]

Let the rain begin halfway through the 3rd run group. That way I can change my tires back and be ready to leave before it starts. :)

[Sellout]

Oh, rain... that is extacly what I need in my first autocross. Miata + Rain is always fun but I don't know how I am going to contol it. Eep.

[MX5bob]

Oh, rain... that is extacly what I need in my first autocross. Miata + Rain is always fun but I don't know how I am going to contol it. Eep.

Rained my first event. Even on Toyo TS-1s, it was, uh, interesting. Just do what Randy said, brake and accelerate in a straight line. Smooth steering inputs. Grip on a wet surface isn't as bad as you might think. Grip in the puddles is a different story.

[RickRacer]

Please no rain. I currently only have one set of front rims and don't really want to be dismounting and mounting tires. Rain tires on the back only doesn't really work.