pictures from VIR

David Teague · **Posted:** Thu Feb 16, 2006 1:07 am

Haven driven on Vir, cmp and Summit Point Main in the rain, I find VIR to have the best traction and Summit the worse. VIR's biggest asset is it drains very well, CMP is not bad but has a few standing water issues. Summit is slick slick slick in the rain and has issues with standing water in a lot of places...

MartynWheeler · **Joined:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 9:30 pm **Posts:** 303

Ryan Holton wrote:

MartynWheeler wrote:

Odd. My experience of VIR in the wet on motorcycles is that the traction is surprisingly good.

Even my torquless wonder was dorifito around Oak Tree in 3rd gear!

Ah. I didn't say I wasn't in a two-wheel drift at times, just that the traction was decent and consistent no matter how wet. :wink:

Some of the fun of riding the track in the pouring rain is it's much easier to drift the bike... the rest of it is passing people who think they have to go really slow when it's wet.

From what I've observed, most "interesting" experiences around Oak Tree generally result from not apexing late enough. (Obviously I'm not talking about you, as I've never seen you -- or anyone else on this forum -- take the corner, just speaking in generalities I've seen while instructing bikes.) Whether it's wet or dry, most people seem to carry too little speed through the first corner of the Oak Tree complex, and turn in and apex way too early for the second corner (Oak Tree itself). Carrying much more speed into the braking point for the second corner allows you to brake harder and get the rotation to make a very late apex while getting on the power a lot sooner.

But I'm rambling... I'll shut up now. :oops:

Frank Catena · **Joined:** Wed Aug 27, 2003 1:08 pm **Posts:** 418

Ryan makes a good point about gearing and torque in the rain. Norb Watts once told me that he typically takes turns one gear higher in the rain, even when racing. Now the engine torque in a T1 prepped Corvette is obviously a factor in his decision, but it's certainly a point to consider. If getting on the gas out of Oak Tree (or any turn) causes your tires to spin you'll no longer have any lateral grip from them .... As Jim P well knows ...

Frank

Rich Anderson · **Posted:** Thu Feb 16, 2006 8:35 am

For all of those complaining about sliding around too much in the wet, may I humbly suggest a FWD economy car, with street sport springs (nothing too stiff) and a set of fresh, all-season radials. The Focus and I had very few problems. I'll even trade straight up for one of those overpowered handfuls you guys are talking about! :lol2:

clinehall · **Posted:** Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:19 am

Rich Anderson wrote:

For all of those complaining about sliding around too much in the wet, may I humbly suggest a FWD economy car, with street sport springs (nothing too stiff) and a set of fresh, all-season radials. The Focus and I had very few problems. I'll even trade straight up for one of those overpowered handfuls you guys are talking about! :lol2:

Ditto, I was going to run my old worn out street tires but they started showing metal so I had to go with my brand new all season radials. I felt like i knew what I was doing. the only thing slowing me down was my instructor who knew I really didn't know what I was doing. He kept saying "Well your car is very forgiving, thats why you got through that corner"

Bowie Gray Jr · **Joined:** Mon Sep 13, 2004 8:31 am **Posts:** 98

Frank Catena wrote:

Ryan makes a good point about gearing and torque in the rain. Norb Watts once told me that he typically takes turns one gear higher in the rain, even when racing. Now the engine torque in a T1 prepped Corvette is obviously a factor in his decision, but it's certainly a point to consider. If getting on the gas out of Oak Tree (or any turn) causes your tires to spin you'll no longer have any lateral grip from them .... As Jim P well knows ...

Frank

So I guess it is wrong that I go DOWN a gear in most corners in the rain? It is a combination of playing dorifto and knowing that I have the torque instantly available to turn a hard to catch twitch into an easy to catch powerslide.

Probably not an issue in a vette, but makes life easier in a Miata.

jimpastorius · **Posted:** Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:56 am

Frank Catena wrote:

Ryan makes a good point about gearing and torque in the rain. Norb Watts once told me that he typically takes turns one gear higher in the rain, even when racing. Now the engine torque in a T1 prepped Corvette is obviously a factor in his decision, but it's certainly a point to consider. If getting on the gas out of Oak Tree (or any turn) causes your tires to spin you'll no longer have any lateral grip from them .... As Jim P well knows ...

Frank

I believe that was lap two and I applied a little too much throttle and around it came. That was the only time and for the rest of session, the car felt awesome. After that, I never went to second gear. It is nice to have torque! Although the solid rear axle is a challenge ;-)

I was surprised by the amount of grip out there.

DanDurusky · **Joined:** Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:31 pm **Posts:** 686

i definatly took it too slow. only after i rode w/ my instructor did i realize how much grip was out there.. i had no idea

Stacy King · **Posted:** Thu Feb 16, 2006 11:25 am

I'm really glad those of you that braved the conditions had a good time... I know I did, and I was really dissapointed that we had to cancel, but I think it was for the best.

Here are some of my favorite pics: All of which were taken by the guys at www.fandsenterprises.com

Yes... me driving someone else's car (as usual lately)... and having a great time passing Mr. Cooper, one of our WONDERFUL sponsers

Rich Anderson · **Posted:** Thu Feb 16, 2006 11:39 am

Stacy, where did you get that picture of me?

I missed that one. Is it on their site? I might have to buy a picture of me passing a Porsche!

Stacy King · **Posted:** Thu Feb 16, 2006 11:41 am

Richard... it should be on the site... if not let me know... I'll hook ya up

Rich Anderson · **Posted:** Thu Feb 16, 2006 11:46 am

OK, in the Red Group pictures. I didn't look there because I didn't run there.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Feb 16, 2006 11:52 am

Rich Anderson wrote:

I might have to buy a picture of me passing a Porsche!

Depends on how you look at it. It looks like the Porsche is passing you to some. :wink:

Rich Anderson · **Posted:** Thu Feb 16, 2006 11:56 am

Vincent Keene wrote:

Rich Anderson wrote:

I might have to buy a picture of me passing a Porsche!

Depends on how you look at it. It looks like the Porsche is passing you to some. :wink:

[Ashe]COME GET SOME![/Ashe]

BTW, no offense to the driver of the Porsche, this is all in fun. I am sure the natural order of things will return and you will see my hand out the window at the next school. :car:

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Thu Feb 16, 2006 12:37 pm

Vincent Keene wrote:

Rich Anderson wrote:

I might have to buy a picture of me passing a Porsche!

Depends on how you look at it. It looks like the Porsche is passing you to some. :wink:

If it was a 928, we would have known Rich was passing the Porsche for sure!!! :wink:

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