How does BRZ handle at the limit in the rain?

[tez2013]

I've done several track days in the car and so far it's been very predictable at the limit. Doing a track day this Friday and they are forecasting some serious showers.

Anyone has any first-hand experience in pushing this car in the rain? How predictable is it? When it starts to slide, is it progressive / easy to catch as in the dry? Higher hp cars I've tracked have proved to be quite a handful mainly due to the rear jumping out due to being aggressive with the go pedal... not expecting this to be a problem due to relatively low power level here. Any thoughts, comments or suggestions are welcome! BTW, the car is completely stock, down to the tires.

:happy0180:

[rx3]

Somehow it's more prone to (sudden) oversteer in the wet than in the dry:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38133
But usually it's pretty predictable.

If you want to stay on the safe side you can always drive in VSC sport mode instead of turning everything off.

[GTB/ZR-1]

I did a session @ Roebling in the wet & it did have loose tendencies, and my car was on 245 R-S3s w/ 9" rims, but otherwise stock suspension. As stated by rx3, leave the VSC on to give you some help, if needed.

I'm an instructor, but I still left the VSC on until I felt comfortable w/ the car. It definitely kicked in a few times while I was probing its limits.

[jprice130]

I ran an AutoX in a steady, near-freezing rain on Dunlop Z1s earlier this season. With all assists off, it was VERY slippery and I really felt like I was being conservative. On my subsequent runs, I turned VSC Sport on and managed a couple very competitive times. The VSC kicked in a few times but it wasn't too intrusive.

[chadstyle]

Not on the track but I live in South Florida so I have plenty of time spent driving in the rain. The car is very predictable and as long as you're not chopping at the brake/throttle/steering wheel then it's nice and balanced too. I have noticed that on E85 with my header installed that I have to be way more careful between 3-5k as the midrange TQ breaks the rear end loose even under partial throttle in 4th gear.

My only complaint is that they need windshield wipers on the drivers and passenger windows too.

[troek]

ive had my car get away from me in the rain with very little throttle because i was expecting to catch it as easy as the dry, and i counter steered late. i learned the hard way you need alot more counter steer in the rain and you cant let it build any momentum. i meant to turn vsc back on when i hit the rainy area and i forgot. a decision that haunts me every day lol.

[CSG Mike]

The same as in the dry, except with much lower limits. The car reacts slower to inputs, so the typical reaction is to give it MORE input. The car is still reacting, and that extra input is likely too much, causing the car to react wildly.

[rx3]

I've driven many autocrosses/slaloms in the dry, but I have never experienced the rear losing grip very suddenly as I was sometimes experiencing when it was raining. You need to be more attentive with this car when it's raining (even though you are slower).

[tez2013]

Will keep this in mind, thanks for all the feedback!

[KKaWing]

Well since OP is satisfied, I'll just put this here. Excuse the VW :p

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKtqNQJuDuw"]Singing in the Rain [HQ] Golf GTI Advertisement Comercial - YouTube[/ame]

[GTM_Challenge]

VSC sport sucks in the wet IMO, so I leave it on fully and let the car save itself, or turn it off fully with the pedal dance and try to work my magic.

[Simmons]

I ran the DC pro in the rain for my Saturday morning runs. I was only a couple tenths slower in the wet on the left side then in the dry. I had the Z2 tires on, and tc all the way off.


Simmons

[raul]

I have some video on this very question. This was my very first track day. Ever. In the rain. You can't be a slouch reacting, but I reeled it back in quite a few times.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2XEpGyG4hA"]Homestead wet track slips - YouTube[/ame]

[chadstyle]

Originally Posted by raul

I have some video on this very question. This was my very first track day. Ever. In the rain. You can't be a slouch reacting, but I reeled it back in quite a few times.

I need to get my car out to homestead for a track day!! I see that you're in 3rd and on the left turns you're losing traction the fastest. I assume that's because the TQ naturally pushes the rear end out to the right when the tires break loose. I take it really easy on left hand turns in the rain but you can just as easily lose it on a right hander too.

Thanks for the video!