How to handle a SPIN!
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Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Reston
There are some great points in this thread.
1) What does CPR mean?
2) What to do when you do spin out of control?
3) What are the three causes of the spin?
If you know the answers to these points you are ready to go on the track.
As an instructor for many years, I find that people are in a hurry to do track events but have not prepared for the inevitable event of a loss of control. You need to learn these points and practice them in a non hostile environment. When you have them mastered, then move up to the track. Here are my suggestions.
First, get involved with Autocrossing. Here is a low speed event that generally is one where you can screw up and not damage your car. Get an inexpensive set of tires. Do not worry about traction. THe more they slide, the more you learn. Spend a year going to every event you can. Run the hell out of your car. Find out what makes it spin and how to control it. Run in the rain, in the snow, on dirt. This is how you learn. Then when you know what you are doing, get some better tires and try to compete.
Second, get on a skid pad. Driving in a controlled spin is the key. Practice driving in a circle without using the steering wheel. Lift throttle oversteer, and throttle oversteer. As much time as you can get. It is fun and you will learn.
Third, get some instruction. Go to high speed driving clinics and low speed tracks. Work your way up the speed curve. You have plenty of time to learn if you take your time. Screw up and your days of playing are over.
The S2000 is an awesome machine. I have driven many cars, from old jags, TRs, MGs, Porsches, Type R's. The S2000 is the best balance of any of them. All it needs is some brakes and tighten up the suspension.
Go have fun. But learn what you are doing before you go too fast.
1) What does CPR mean?
2) What to do when you do spin out of control?
3) What are the three causes of the spin?
If you know the answers to these points you are ready to go on the track.
As an instructor for many years, I find that people are in a hurry to do track events but have not prepared for the inevitable event of a loss of control. You need to learn these points and practice them in a non hostile environment. When you have them mastered, then move up to the track. Here are my suggestions.
First, get involved with Autocrossing. Here is a low speed event that generally is one where you can screw up and not damage your car. Get an inexpensive set of tires. Do not worry about traction. THe more they slide, the more you learn. Spend a year going to every event you can. Run the hell out of your car. Find out what makes it spin and how to control it. Run in the rain, in the snow, on dirt. This is how you learn. Then when you know what you are doing, get some better tires and try to compete.
Second, get on a skid pad. Driving in a controlled spin is the key. Practice driving in a circle without using the steering wheel. Lift throttle oversteer, and throttle oversteer. As much time as you can get. It is fun and you will learn.
Third, get some instruction. Go to high speed driving clinics and low speed tracks. Work your way up the speed curve. You have plenty of time to learn if you take your time. Screw up and your days of playing are over.
The S2000 is an awesome machine. I have driven many cars, from old jags, TRs, MGs, Porsches, Type R's. The S2000 is the best balance of any of them. All it needs is some brakes and tighten up the suspension.
Go have fun. But learn what you are doing before you go too fast.
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From: Laurel
I'm sure I'm no expert on this. BTW, in the states we call it "double-clutching". I figure that's what the syncros are for so I never do it. Others?
BTW, I'm also no expert on trail braking so I'll throw that one back to you Ced. My theory anyway is that there are some cases where using trail braking to tighten your line (rather than power on oversteer) might allow you to carry more traction into your power-on drift at corner exit. I, though, have no idea if this is true.
Cedric, Reston, Triple H, Gentlemen?
BTW, I'm also no expert on trail braking so I'll throw that one back to you Ced. My theory anyway is that there are some cases where using trail braking to tighten your line (rather than power on oversteer) might allow you to carry more traction into your power-on drift at corner exit. I, though, have no idea if this is true.
Cedric, Reston, Triple H, Gentlemen?
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 63
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From: Vancouver
I had the unfortunate experience of entering a spin 3 hours after I drove off the Honda lot 
First off, the s2k was my first RWD car ever, and I learned the hard way how differently the car reacts when the tires start to loose traction. I was coming around a slight corner (it was wet but not raining) and I gave it a little too much gas and boom, out comes the back end... being as unexperienced as I was I made the fatal mistake of mashing the break pedal. Wrong choice. The second I mashed the brake the back end came out violently and I went up a curb and broke my driver side rear tire under the car. My first reaction was HOLY #$!@, Im a dead man (My parents were on vacation and did not know I was purchasing the car) To say the least I have gained a LOT more respect for the rain and have practiced in many wet parking lots since. It ended up costing me about $1600 bux... somehow there was NO body damage at all so in a way I was lucky? I also ordered some new s03's cause my tread was pretty low... expensive driving lesson
First off, the s2k was my first RWD car ever, and I learned the hard way how differently the car reacts when the tires start to loose traction. I was coming around a slight corner (it was wet but not raining) and I gave it a little too much gas and boom, out comes the back end... being as unexperienced as I was I made the fatal mistake of mashing the break pedal. Wrong choice. The second I mashed the brake the back end came out violently and I went up a curb and broke my driver side rear tire under the car. My first reaction was HOLY #$!@, Im a dead man (My parents were on vacation and did not know I was purchasing the car) To say the least I have gained a LOT more respect for the rain and have practiced in many wet parking lots since. It ended up costing me about $1600 bux... somehow there was NO body damage at all so in a way I was lucky? I also ordered some new s03's cause my tread was pretty low... expensive driving lesson
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Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Cincinnati
How do you correct a snap spin. 3 weeks after I purchased the car I was having some fun with the rear end , I came around a turn too quick and punched it. the rear end swung around. before I could correct it, I felt like someone had rear ended me and I hit a parked car. (no comments on that) so it was a $4000 mistake that I still do not know how to avoid or correct.
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