Question: Say I am going into a RIGHT curve and loose the back end, what do I need to do to gain control of the car? I have never lost control of a RWD car before and would like to hear what people have to say about this?

 

I'd say that you need to counter-steer (obviously). However, throttle control is going to be key, and it's really hard to say what to do with that. You need to stay on the throttle a little, because if you lift too much, the tail end is going to bite hard and swing you around the other way. However, if you give too much throttle, the tail end will keep coming around the way it's going. You have to find a happy medium where you still have a little slip, but yet the tail start to come back in line.

 

Ok, so basically I need to turn the wheel to the left and hold the throttle just a tad bit to make the tires catch again.

 

Yes, always steer into the direction your rear is sliding. Dont let off the gas and NEVER get on the brakes.
To get the hang of it, go out to a BIG parking lot when its wet out, or in the late evening when there is dew on the ground and you will have the hang of it in no time.
-Or just come up to Michigan and I will teach ya in the snow!!!

 

Well its hard to say what "EXACTLY" to do, since each time it could be a little diffrent. You may really loose your back end or you may just slide a tad.
Either way DO NOT take your foot off the gas. IF you do happen to take your foot off, DO NOT step on the breaks....

Practice breaking your back loose on purpose (in a open area). Once you have any idea of how your car reacts to diffrent turn in speeds and under different road conditions you should not have a fear of your back end slides

 

The next time it rains at night I'll go to a mall parking lot and practice. I want to be prepared. All of these posts about losing the rear end is starting to scare me.

 

And believe me, it's scary as hell when it happens and you are not used to it. There is only one way to get good at controlling the rear end stepping out. Practice (and even that's scary...)

 

Don't be afraid...be aware. The above advice is good...countersteer and feather the throttle until you can feel the rear start to settle.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by nastinupe1
Question:

 

If your rear wheels have already broken loose because of #2, how does applying more throttle help you?

I would think that becasue the tire has already lost contact, that making it spin faster just makes it harder to make contact.

I know that your advice is correct, but I've never understodd the physics behind it. Please elaborate.
Thanks.