Having now joined the RWD community and "discovered" oversteer, I am determined to learn how to deal with it, in a safe and cautious manner. I realize that probably the ultimate option is to take a high-performance driving school, which is something I'm actually saving up for, but in the mean time, I'd like to become more familiar with the way my car behaves in different conditions.

One of my primary objectives for becoming familiar with my S is to learn how to "correct" oversteer, should I accidentally induce it during normal driving situations. I do not want to encounter it in a turn and not know how to properly react, and since I learn faster and better when actually driving the car (vs. say, reading about it), I want to practice a little.

My thought is to find a large, empty parking lot and try to induce oversteer and to explore how my own reactions will affect what the car does. I want to be able to at least feel comfortable driving the S in any kind of normal conditions, instead of dreading turns in the rain, for example.

The real reason I am making this post is to see if anyone else has tried this method for teaching themselves how to control the car. A track is an option, just something I'd rather not start with. And again, driving school is an option as well, but the cost is something which requires a little time before I can attend.

Any feedback from the more experienced drivers on this board is welcome. Keep in mind, I'm doing this to try to learn how to become a better driver - not to become a better *racer*. That's not my thing.

Thanks in advance,
Brian

 

Autocross is the way to go for you. It's cheap, safe, AND fun. Go to the bay area forum to find out about the local events in your area.

 

Do they provide any instruction for people who have never autocrossed before? The last thing I want to do is go there and make a fool of myself by losing control around every corner. I'd be up for watching at first, and maybe getting some advice from the regulars.

Thank you.

 

Yes they will provide instructions and ride alongs.

 

Excellent! I'm in!

 

Skidpad is great, if there's one near you.

Slaloms are fun, but you usually only get 3 short runs, which makes the learning curve very slow.

You may do better if you find a big, empty parking lot to practice sliding/drifting control.

-Pete

 

Throw on a set of bald tires and have fun in a concrete parking lot. Even better if the ground's wet. It's supposed to rain for the next couple of days in the bay area...

 

Start by inducing a spin in a large wet parking lot (wet because it is cheaper for your tires, and easier to cause oversteer).
Once in a spin, hold the throttle where it is, and correct with the steering wheel. The biggest hurdle is to learn not to release the throttle. It is counterintuitive, but try.
Once you have the hang of the steering part, try to control it with the throttle, and hold the steering wheel still. Remember that sudden changes in the wheels' (engine's) speed will cause a tendency for loss of control.
After you can somewhat control the "slide" with the throttle, try using both variables...Steering and Throttle

*At first do not change gears, as this may cause a change in the wheels' (engine's) speed. Make sure you are comfortable with the sliding process before you try changing gears.
*watch the rev limiter...while modulating the pedal, it is easy to lose track of the tach (no rhyme intended).
*Be aware of changing road surfaces. How your car behaves on wet concrete is completely different from that of wet, new, blacktop. If you "tread" onto a different road surface while in a slide, try to anticipate how the car will handle. Bricks are bad, they're slippery...avoid them.
*The city streets present so many variables that it is nearly impossible to control every slide; so be careful.
*The road is most slippery right when it starts raining...or when someone throws a banana peel on there.

 

Concrete is grippier than asphalt.

 

Not when it's wet. I've never slipped on wet asphalt.