ATTS/SPDA Lapping day #3 - September 10th, CTMP DDT

[infinity21]

Originally Posted by wparsons

Everyone should do a few lapping days in the rain. Lack of grip uncovers bad habits in a big hurry, at much lower speeds.

Agreed that it's interesting but too much standing water gets boring since it's soooooo slow. Pretty sure I was easily running 2 min+ here
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyaE3JPADok"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyaE3JPADok[/ame]

[wparsons]

Wet tracks teach you fantastic things about finding grip and driving smooth. If you treat a wet track like a burden it gets boring, but if you treat it as a challenge to find grip you'll never be bored.

[infinity21]

Originally Posted by wparsons

Wet tracks teach you fantastic things about finding grip and driving smooth. If you treat a wet track like a burden it gets boring, but if you treat it as a challenge to find grip you'll never be bored.

I'd imagine it's like being an F1 driver in a street car. The limits of the car are relatively low so there's a lot of down time between corners. I think it's a useful scenario to train in but would be quite sad if all my track days are raining.

[Frost]

Driving on a wet track in car is mundane compared to a go-kart on a wet track...

... running slicks.

It's hilarious to see everyone doing visor wipedowns on the straight. All I can say is: AQUAPEL FTW.

The thing that most people (including myself) don't know about the first time getting on a track in the wet is that the lines shift dramatically. At DDT, I believe it morphs into finding the highest point of the track (which isn't flat at some turns) and that usually winds up to being 3/4 out, then at apex you're kinda middle way in (as opposed to eating the curb) and then back out.

Some turns like turn 7 you can hit the curb since the water pools away from it. I only did DDT wet once but it was a constant cold drizzle as opposed to outright rain or a downpour.

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by Frost

The thing that most people (including myself) don't know about the first time getting on a track in the wet is that the lines shift dramatically. At DDT, I believe it morphs into finding the highest point of the track (which isn't flat at some turns) and that usually winds up to being 3/4 out, then at apex you're kinda middle way in (as opposed to eating the curb) and then back out.

Some turns like turn 7 you can hit the curb since the water pools away from it. I only did DDT wet once but it was a constant cold drizzle as opposed to outright rain or a downpour.

Wet lines are more than just finding the high point. On some tracks (the GP track for instance), you have to shift off the dry line entirely to avoid any of the rubber layed down on the surface.

You definitely want to avoid standing water, but if the surface is uniformly wet the areas with less (or no) rubber will have more grip.

[Frost]

Originally Posted by wparsons

Wet lines are more than just finding the high point. On some tracks (the GP track for instance), you have to shift off the dry line entirely to avoid any of the rubber layed down on the surface.

You definitely want to avoid standing water, but if the surface is uniformly wet the areas with less (or no) rubber will have more grip.

Yep yep!

Thing with DDT is that I don't think there's enough rubber laid down ... yet. I have yet to go on the big boy track. Next year... after the roll bar

In the end, it where you have the most grip.

[Sigsegv]

Great day! Managed to experience all types of track conditions, from wet and cloudy, to dry and sunny.

Anyone have any pictures? I saw lots of nice cameras taking pictures of the cars on track.

[RFB]

Originally Posted by wparsons

Wet tracks teach you fantastic things about finding grip and driving smooth. If you treat a wet track like a burden it gets boring, but if you treat it as a challenge to find grip you'll never be bored.

Very valid learning experience. We track at Cayuga in the snow for the same reason, but many just hoon for the sake of fun drifting, (high snow banks keep you from spinning off the pavement - LOL).

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by Sigsegv

Great day! Managed to experience all types of track conditions, from wet and cloudy, to dry and sunny.

Anyone have any pictures? I saw lots of nice cameras taking pictures of the cars on track.

Not my pictures, I didn't bring mine and was only there until about 10am. The little guy was in need of a nap and had no intention of sleeping at the track.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/507646...7672511095270/

[Frost]

Originally Posted by wparsons

Not my pictures, I didn't bring mine and was only there until about 10am. The little guy was in need of a nap and had no intention of sleeping at the track.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/507646...7672511095270/

Thanks for sharing, was wondering where you went after the lapping opened up.

The white integra and the silver wagon BMW were stupid aggressive. Felt like a Touge.ca event with them on.

[drewbot]

Had a blast with half the sessions pretty wet. My balding RE-11A's certainly didn't want to grip....

[Frost]

Originally Posted by drewbot

Had a blast with half the sessions pretty wet. My balding RE-11A's certainly didn't want to grip....

You know it's funny - we both go to the same events yet I've never actually met you face to face! I'll need to make it a point to find you next time.

[drewbot]

Originally Posted by Frost

You know it's funny - we both go to the same events yet I've never actually met you face to face! I'll need to make it a point to find you next time.

I'm pretty sure we've met. I was probably the youngest instructor dude at the ADC days 1&2.

[Cole]

I'm going to need to get to a couple of these days next summer. Work is just insane, and on my couple of days off per month, it's hard to get the girl friend on board with me spending a day playing cars.