Hi guys, appreciate your feedback on rain driving techniques.

some people go for high rpms in rain driving to maintain engine braking and tractability on throttle adjustment but others go for low rpms to maintain speeds while limiting torque to reduce slip.

please share how using either of the tactics helps/ hinders you.

Also, how does rain affect setting of your GT wing and other aero aids?

Finally i've read from articles from Tire Rack on how SAE tests done show how properly inflated tyres grip better in wet conditions. Considering how water tends to cool the tyre, one would expect to have less increase in inflation pressure due to heat. Thus, would you go with higher pressures ? (assuming stock is 32psi and you run 33-34 as you would like to reduce chance for aquaplaning, something like aquaplaning speeds go up as the square of your tyre pressure rule even used by aeroplanes when landing) or would you go for lower pressures to increase contact patch? how has it worked for u in racing?

 

I'll be watching this thread as I want some advice here too. After Mid Ohio last weekend in the COLD and RAIN I'm at a loss on cold, wet, slick tracks. I felt like driving Ms. Daisy. I think my spin was due to (mostly) very little experience and wrong tire pressure but let's see.

 

stock pressures, or maybe a touch over. to much (especially in the rear) and you're sliding everywhere (its bad enough in the dry lol, the wet would just make it worse). i use RE01R's and they're great in the wet. i also found lower rpm works best, you can get the power down easier/safer without losing it, plus the improved traction helps with times. not sure why anyone would wanna be in to high of an rpm in the wet when trying to exit a turn.

 

Well I started out at 32 lbs. cold but then I never got to test them right after a session becasue we had to be in a class session with 5 minutes. Oh, I had to pit in the farthest padock. It just wasn't a great weekend.

 

any updates?

 

You had your first spin Rob? No damage I hope.

 

never ran into a race with complete rain. Last time was I ran on a partial rivered track I was using azenis and had 28 psi all round and never got loose but once which was due to improper heel toe.

 

A tire generates grip due to 3 factors: adhesion, deformation, and wear. Consider what rain does to the formula, and try to maximize.

 

From my experiences racing in the rain this year, it all depends on the track. At every track we've been to, there have been some places where both ways work. It has depended on traction at the particular point. Even in the pouring rain, there will be some places with more grip available than others.

Can't help on the wing info, haven't had one so far.

 

I agree I noticed in corners I would stay in a higher gear so when I exit vtec will engage and keep me from putting total power down in turns