Well I definitely would not consider it fun but damn was it a good lesson. The next mod to my car isn't going to be a S/C or a turbo (eventually tho) it'll be some driving lessons. I am definitely going to learn how to take the S to the limit and keep it in control. I keep thinking about it in my head, playing it over and over in my mind and realize all the stuff I could have done and shouldnt' have done. Tell me if I'm right

Car's end begins to come around and I

reacted late - shouldn't have done
countersteered - good?
modulated throttle - good?

I reacted too late so I couldn't bring my rear back in place with such a narrow road and with me so close to the edge of the road so I

held on for dear life - good very good
pushed clutch in - good?
pushed brakes - good?

I'm not too sure about the last part but I decided that since I was spinning and I couldn't do anything I'd give the clutch and brak a try. Oh and if I ever bring my car back to NY or any state that has "winters" I will be getting myself a nice set of winter tires

 

Sounds like you did all the right things. Counter-steering and throttle modulation are the correct actions, though if you're too slow with the counter-steer, the throttle ain't gonna help. What you do NOT want to do is rapidly do anything with the gas pedal, either applying or releasing. Anyway, once you knew you'd lost it, you again did the right thing: "When in a spin, both feet in."

Glad to hear nobody got damaged.

 

I've heard a couple different things as to what "both feet in" means (and obviously, only 1 of them can be correct). pls clarify.

does it mean:

1) depress the clutch and the brakes simultaneously?
2) put the car in neutral and pull your feet back towards the seat? (to keep em from being broken in the event of a collision)

or something else?

thx. sorry if it's a silly question, but I guess I'm just silly (and ignorant).

 

S02 are not made to be driven in wet condition

 

Depress clutch and brakes fully.

Once you've fully lost the car, there's not much else to do. Doing this spares the drivetrain from a stall (or turning it all backwards!) and locks the brakes up so you start scrubbing speed. The advantage of a 4-wheel lockup is that you know what you're going to hit. The car is less likely to change direction (you spin in a straight line.) If you release everything you are giving up your control of the car, including the ability to stop the car (brakes) which is of the utmost importance.

I always try to save the car until its obvious that the odds are low and then pick a place to spin it. You actually play a significant role in where the car ends up if you're conscious about the decisions you're making. If you're pro-active and think about what's out there to hit, you CAN avoid the 4 foot diameter tree and put it in the ditch next to it.

Andrew H.
Autocross Junkie

 

thank god your okay! and the car stay safe okay and just consider this a lesson well learnt christmas is soon so have a safe holiday...(i dont really have snow where i live unless i go to the dandenongs where its absolutley mountains and snow, but i know how dangerous it can be without chains on your tires)...good luck with everything.

 

[QUOTE]Car's end begins to come around and I

 

Whats snow? Just wondering....

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tritium_pie
I've heard a couple different things as to what "both feet in" means (and obviously, only 1 of them can be correct).

 

Ya the snow here in Jersey was pretty ugly today. I changed out my tires to Yokohama DB's about a month or so ago, and I didn't have too many problems. It broke loose a little bit here and there but nothing a sandbag or two wouldn't cure the next time.

I saw 3 different suv's wipe out today. One in my development and 2 on the road. I swear some people just aren't too bright, 4WD is nice but it isn't a license to drive fast through the snow. According to the state hwy police more people with suv's wipeout than cars because they have this misconception. Its better than 2wd but common sense (which alot of jerseynite's lack) says... slow down.

Man, I got some ugly looks by those guys who were off the road when I drove by without any problems.