You would actually be suprise. HPDE in the rain can be some of the most fun you can ever have in your car. It also is a great learning opportunity. The only time I have been spectating/helping at a racing event was on 5/20 at BIR in the rain, never been so pissed I left a car at home.
I know that I had a ton of fun @ DCTC in the snow/ice/rain event that we had in April. I know that goes for most (if not all) of the people that attended that event. Either way, we are going to have some fun tonight. Check your tire pressure and fluid levels.
After the last event at DCTC I highly recommend dressing for the weather. (you all know who you are shivering in your hoddies ) If you have rain gear, bring it. If not, seriously look at picking some up. Bring a separate pair of shoes. Wet feet and driving usually don't mix well. You will be able to concentrate much better on your driving if you are comfortable and relaxed. Being wet, cold, and distracted is just not a good combination at any sort of speed. I so wish I could make this. Have fun and be safe!
Driving hot laps in the rain has been some of my most memorible days at the track. The last time was in late May at BIR, it just poured non stop and I was working the Spec Racer cars with open cockpits, running on stiff suspension, sloppy gear boxes and full race slicks. All I had was my helmet visor and a school fire suit to help keep me dry, I ended up wearing two by mid day because it was that bad out. I lost half of my 6 students on the first turn in our first session out which was right after the bridge at turn 13. I went into turn 2 at +80 mph and when I initiated my turn-in at the cone I got no steering response, what had looked like a nice clear surface on the track was actually an inch of standing rain. My yellow Spec Racer proceeded towards the concrete wall at +80 mph, so I took a moment to say "today is not the day that I will crash". So I reached over with my left foot and started jabbing the brakes while pushing down on the gas pedal. I finally got that sucker to turn in and avoided going off all together. I decided at that point it was best that I leave my group and start looking for the rain line. Since the new pavement was layed down this was the first time we had ran out in the rain. When you're sitting just a few inches from the ground it's difficult to see a small stream running across the track until your right up on it. Turn 4 was a perfect example. You have to time your braking just right, if you brake too early you coast thru the stream and you ended up floating another unexpected +20 feet. So now all your braking had to be done extra late. My first few attempts sent me into the grass. Needless to say we had some pretty brave soles that day who stuck it through with me throughout the day and keep on going out on our sessions. We even had a few sessions where the cars would not even come out. I had a lot of fun trying to drift the car and get it to spin around but I never did lose it. I found out really early that it was best to not keep the 5th harness so tight up against your you know what. It made it very difficult to be brave & bold and the tactics required were often painful at times, but that's what happens when you're lugging around a big gun lol. My other most favorite time driving in the pouring rain before this was when I test drove an Audi R8, Corvette ZR1 and Nissan GT-R at a private event with similar conditions. Today's event is intended to help hone your car control skills and keep you safe. If you're open to the idea of having fun while you learn then come out and we'll spend some time coaching you on how to handle your car better. And if you don't feel safe coming out that's fine too, there will always be another.
For those of you that need E85 here are some location - E85 Me This is where we stopped last time. Holiday Stationstore #3537 9087 Broderick Blvd Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
3rd event I have done. 3rd event that its going to rain. Guess you learn a lot about your car in the rain but gosh darn it I want to drive when the sun is out.
Then you're ahead of the game. Those who can drive well in the rain and show amazing car control in the wet will be supreme in the dry.
You do have a very valid point. But just would like to have the experience of driving without the cuffs of my pants drenched... or shoes... or socks. Specially socks. Definetly gives me a sad face
Stay home, then it won't rain on the rest of us Haha jk, the percentages are dropping. We can still have fun in the rain, and at a lower expense on your tires!
I have a plastic tub with a lid in case there is rain. It is nice to keep some stuff dry and be able to leave it out in the parking lot. I would suggest bringing some extra shoes and socks... then you can be dry the whole time!
Yeah i plan to do that too. The Tub is just to throw people off... "Where is Derek?" "I see the tub sitting there so he must not be in his car" "I bet he is out working the track" I win!
Here's a quick teaser video of me chasing down Steve at the last SCCA PDX...we always enjoy playing a little cat and mouse on the track. We both have STi's, summer tires, stage 2, E-85 and coilovers...to Steve's credit, I do have a couple more years of experience. Disclaimer: Neither this event or today's event are timed events or competitions. These are simply "performance driving schools."
Your car /driving is just beastly in the video. Next event we'll have to make sure to get us both on the track for some seat time.
Neither will be be going at warp speed like these two professionals. Steve told me the other day he doesn't need experience, cause he has a Ace in the Hole, aka The Stig! But we all know him as Fuji lol
Well those things can be easily be manipulated. Where as you can't do the same with Steve's Stig, he's moved away from Chicken and fried rice and now to deep fried Pork.
Suddenly, noticing you pop in to my rearview out of nowhere during twisty bits of drive n' dines makes a lot more sense...
That was my Prius burnout, no not from tire smoke but from my batteries gave out after chasing Kong's Wagon.
