Stupid rain. . . Just spun the S.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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I have never spun out since I did my first track day.
You really do learn a lot about your car and get the chance to fix some misconceptions regarding vehicle dynamics. My case (like many others') was throttle lift. Even after the first time I did it (at the track) it was difficult for me to conceive how slowing down could make me spin out. Surely so, a little bit of advice from my instructor and a bit more practice and I've become much better at reducing the risk of throttle-lifting instinctively.
Despite the S2K's low torque, it certainly is a car that requires extra skill to handle. Simply blaming the environment or any external circumstances robs you of the opportunity to analyze where you were at fault. This could be in the moment or before the accident. In the moment as in how you reacted, or before through failure to replace tires or getting high-performance driver's ed, etc. Not receiving this ed may or may not be your fault, because you might not have known about it. But since you now know, this is certainly something you are well-advised to invest on in the near future.
You really do learn a lot about your car and get the chance to fix some misconceptions regarding vehicle dynamics. My case (like many others') was throttle lift. Even after the first time I did it (at the track) it was difficult for me to conceive how slowing down could make me spin out. Surely so, a little bit of advice from my instructor and a bit more practice and I've become much better at reducing the risk of throttle-lifting instinctively.
Despite the S2K's low torque, it certainly is a car that requires extra skill to handle. Simply blaming the environment or any external circumstances robs you of the opportunity to analyze where you were at fault. This could be in the moment or before the accident. In the moment as in how you reacted, or before through failure to replace tires or getting high-performance driver's ed, etc. Not receiving this ed may or may not be your fault, because you might not have known about it. But since you now know, this is certainly something you are well-advised to invest on in the near future.
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Joined: May 2009
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From: Jersey C.I
Manuelisfun I agree, training stuff on the track/airfield is invaluable.
I did an airfield day last week and I am telling you now - Without that, if I had the back end out big style in the dry before that airfield day, I would of been 10x more likely to be in a hedge than now.
On a high speed bend with my driving style I could get around at 50mph with no drama but spun out at 60. Some tips and the next go 60 was dramaless and at the end of the day I was getting it around at 75, and correcting some pretty serious back end action with opposite lock when it came. Before this training there is not a hope in hell I would of caught those slides and recovered them. Probably took me about 3 or 4 big slides to get used to turning the wheel to the end of the rack and getting it back as the slide straightened out. Any one of those on the road would of spelt death/serious injury/totalled car.
For the sake of a few 100 notes I suggest anyone who has not done something similar does it.
After 4 months of ownership this was the first time I had spun the car entirely and it was good to do, just to get used to the feeling and experience.
Get the car fixed and get on an airfield/track with tuition asap!
I did an airfield day last week and I am telling you now - Without that, if I had the back end out big style in the dry before that airfield day, I would of been 10x more likely to be in a hedge than now.
On a high speed bend with my driving style I could get around at 50mph with no drama but spun out at 60. Some tips and the next go 60 was dramaless and at the end of the day I was getting it around at 75, and correcting some pretty serious back end action with opposite lock when it came. Before this training there is not a hope in hell I would of caught those slides and recovered them. Probably took me about 3 or 4 big slides to get used to turning the wheel to the end of the rack and getting it back as the slide straightened out. Any one of those on the road would of spelt death/serious injury/totalled car.
For the sake of a few 100 notes I suggest anyone who has not done something similar does it.
After 4 months of ownership this was the first time I had spun the car entirely and it was good to do, just to get used to the feeling and experience.
Get the car fixed and get on an airfield/track with tuition asap!
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Originally Posted by ans2k,Sep 16 2009, 08:24 PM
it detects wheel spin. if different wheels are spinning at different speeds then it kick in. kinda like abs. it does either or both of these. 1. say you want to burn out. the car will detect that the rears are rotating much faster than the rears in acceleration then the car will decrease the gas and air coming in, pretty much partly close the throttle body. the rpms are decrease to a certain rpm where the computer thinks it can regain grip, once it regains grip then it will accelerate again.
2. the other thing it is suppose to do, but didnt do it in mine, is that the brake distribution. say you go into a corner a little hot, you understeer because you are an ap2. the car is suppose to apply braking to the to gain grip. it suppose to brake the inner wheel to help the turn in. but sadly, it doesnt do this if you go in way to fast or over power the brake.
the first one i have experience. i tested it out.
2. the other thing it is suppose to do, but didnt do it in mine, is that the brake distribution. say you go into a corner a little hot, you understeer because you are an ap2. the car is suppose to apply braking to the to gain grip. it suppose to brake the inner wheel to help the turn in. but sadly, it doesnt do this if you go in way to fast or over power the brake.
the first one i have experience. i tested it out.
From Honda's website for the 2008 S2000 with VSA.....
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
Vehicle Stability Assist is an electronic stability control system that works in conjunction with the drive-by-wire throttle and the 4-channel ABS systems to enhance controllability while the vehicle is accelerating, braking, cornering or when the driver makes a sudden maneuver. While VSA serves to effectively enhance driver control during acceleration, braking, and cornering, the system can be disabled with the touch of a button when conditions warrant it. When needed, the system functions by applying brake force to one or more wheels independently while also managing the throttle, ignition and fuel systems to help the vehicle maintain the driver's intended path of travel. The VSA system constantly analyzes data from seven sensors that monitor wheel and vehicle speed, steering input, lateral G forces and yaw rate. It compares the driver's control inputs with the vehicle's actual response. Whenever the actual response falls outside of a predetermined acceptable range, VSA intervenes with a corrective action. For instance, if VSA detects an oversteer condition, the system may apply braking force to the outside front and rear wheels to counteract the unintended yawing effect. In the event of understeer, VSA may apply braking to the inside rear wheel while reducing engine power to help return the car to its intended course.
Vehicle Stability Assist is an electronic stability control system that works in conjunction with the drive-by-wire throttle and the 4-channel ABS systems to enhance controllability while the vehicle is accelerating, braking, cornering or when the driver makes a sudden maneuver. While VSA serves to effectively enhance driver control during acceleration, braking, and cornering, the system can be disabled with the touch of a button when conditions warrant it. When needed, the system functions by applying brake force to one or more wheels independently while also managing the throttle, ignition and fuel systems to help the vehicle maintain the driver's intended path of travel. The VSA system constantly analyzes data from seven sensors that monitor wheel and vehicle speed, steering input, lateral G forces and yaw rate. It compares the driver's control inputs with the vehicle's actual response. Whenever the actual response falls outside of a predetermined acceptable range, VSA intervenes with a corrective action. For instance, if VSA detects an oversteer condition, the system may apply braking force to the outside front and rear wheels to counteract the unintended yawing effect. In the event of understeer, VSA may apply braking to the inside rear wheel while reducing engine power to help return the car to its intended course.
2008 Honda S2000
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Edmonton Alberta
Did you ever see an F1 or Indy car drive in the rain??
Despite near slicks and tons of RW HP, they keep on the track.
Truly dislike the term "accident." There was a fully cognizant driver putting the vehicle in the situation which led to the crash.
"Accidents" are when you are at a signal and someone hits you.
They had the crash, you got the accident part.
Despite near slicks and tons of RW HP, they keep on the track.
Truly dislike the term "accident." There was a fully cognizant driver putting the vehicle in the situation which led to the crash.
"Accidents" are when you are at a signal and someone hits you.
They had the crash, you got the accident part.
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,863
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From: Pawtucket, RI
Originally Posted by sousleau,Sep 18 2009, 10:58 PM
Did you ever see an F1 or Indy car drive in the rain??
Despite near slicks and tons of RW HP, they keep on the track.
Despite near slicks and tons of RW HP, they keep on the track.
Haven't watched domestic open-wheel racing in quite a while, but as I recall rain+slicks=cars off track.
But of course it is their job to be going as fast as possible, whatever the conditions.
When they spin off, and when S2000 pilots do, it is DRIVER ERROR.
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From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Originally Posted by sousleau,Sep 18 2009, 11:58 PM
Did you ever see an F1 or Indy car drive in the rain??
Despite near slicks and tons of RW HP, they keep on the track.
Truly dislike the term "accident." There was a fully cognizant driver putting the vehicle in the situation which led to the crash.
"Accidents" are when you are at a signal and someone hits you.
They had the crash, you got the accident part.
Despite near slicks and tons of RW HP, they keep on the track.
Truly dislike the term "accident." There was a fully cognizant driver putting the vehicle in the situation which led to the crash.
"Accidents" are when you are at a signal and someone hits you.
They had the crash, you got the accident part.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 570
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From: Nelson, BC
This thread reveals who the good drivers are and who the bad drivers are. I don't mean skillwise, I mean driver attitude. It shows who is willing to learn from their mistakes and who is quick to pass the blame.
The thing is, in order to improve your driving (or anything really) you need to be able to be critical of your own mistakes and think about how to avoid them in the future. So anyone here blaming the weatherman sure as hell isn't improving their driving skill. What makes this funny is that because the OP has failed to accept responsibility, there is a good chance this will happen to him again, because hey, puddles are pretty damn common!!
The thing is, in order to improve your driving (or anything really) you need to be able to be critical of your own mistakes and think about how to avoid them in the future. So anyone here blaming the weatherman sure as hell isn't improving their driving skill. What makes this funny is that because the OP has failed to accept responsibility, there is a good chance this will happen to him again, because hey, puddles are pretty damn common!!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 379
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
that damage is freaking minor, what are you guys on ? saying the car will never be the same after this.
A new door, minor work in the rear panel and fix the the suspension/alignment issue and go on your way.
If the frame got bent in what he makes sound as a fairly low speed accident this car is too dangerous to be on the road and its not, so the frame is fine, just some suspension damage and what looks like to be minor body work.
I have had MUCH worse in my 34 years of driving, I have a great picture of my first car's bottom at the bottom of a hill as she laid upside down, 2 rolls down the hill and that frame was bent, it was fixed and I put another 230,000 miles on it before I sold it, yeah it was a convertible and no it did not have a roll bar so yes I was lucky to survive along with my girlfriend (now wife), but this S's damage is minor.
By the way, I say its minor but I would be pissed as hell and I am sure it would not be minor if it was mine but in the big picture, no way this car is totalled unless the original poster left out something in his description.
They can fix cars as good and many times even better than new after a wreck.
A new door, minor work in the rear panel and fix the the suspension/alignment issue and go on your way.
If the frame got bent in what he makes sound as a fairly low speed accident this car is too dangerous to be on the road and its not, so the frame is fine, just some suspension damage and what looks like to be minor body work.
I have had MUCH worse in my 34 years of driving, I have a great picture of my first car's bottom at the bottom of a hill as she laid upside down, 2 rolls down the hill and that frame was bent, it was fixed and I put another 230,000 miles on it before I sold it, yeah it was a convertible and no it did not have a roll bar so yes I was lucky to survive along with my girlfriend (now wife), but this S's damage is minor.
By the way, I say its minor but I would be pissed as hell and I am sure it would not be minor if it was mine but in the big picture, no way this car is totalled unless the original poster left out something in his description.
They can fix cars as good and many times even better than new after a wreck.