Competing and working in the rain and wet

Arthur Grant · Post by **Arthur Grant** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 3:26 pm

Given todays mild drizzel perhaps there aren't any worries, but I have seen some narly autocrossing in the rain picks, including a brave soul in a kart. What are tips for comfortable and safe working, driving, competing. I suspect it's not a lot different from foul wheather sailing or camping, but I am open to hearing stories and gaining some tribal knowledge.

Mako Koiwai · Post by **Mako Koiwai** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 4:39 pm

Working in the rain is all about having a great attitude ... and a good rain suit!

I believe umbrellas are allowed on course

George Schilling · Post by **George Schilling** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 6:24 pm

A lot more people stay huddled up in their cars when it rains. Don't know why......it's only water.

Arthur Grant · Post by **Arthur Grant** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 6:29 pm

Mako Koiwai wrote:Working in the rain is all about having a good attitude ... and a great rain suit!

Ball point pen and post it note seems somewhat futile

Arthur Grant · Post by **Arthur Grant** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 6:31 pm

George Schilling wrote:A lot more people stay huddled up in their cars when it rains. Don't know why......it's only water.

Sort of guessed that the amount of tunning on site modifications decreases drastically. Shagging cones has to be unique.

Mako Koiwai · Post by **Mako Koiwai** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 7:26 pm

I stay toasty warm shagging in my helmet ;)

Steve Ekstrand · Post by **Steve Ekstrand** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 7:29 pm

Can you hear anything in your helmet? Seems mildly dangerous to me.

Bob Beamesderfer · Post by **Bob Beamesderfer** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 7:54 pm

Water-proof shoes, wool socks, water-proof pants, breathable, water-repellent hooded shell jacket, hat to keep hood from flopping down over the eyes. Layers under all that as needed.

I have a pair of Merrell water-proof insulated mocs I bought for just such occasions as the infamous PSCC 2004 season finale, which could have been dedicated to Noah.

Kurt Rahn · Post by **Kurt Rahn** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 9:43 pm

One of the best suggestions I've ever had was bring 2-3 pais of socks, and possibly an extra pair of shoes. Having wet feet sucks.

Mako Koiwai · Post by **Mako Koiwai** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 10:08 pm

With decent tires wet racing if loads of fun:

Q V · Post by **Q V** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 11:51 am

Do you even fit in your c4 w/ a helmet & the t-tops on, Art? You're gonna be in for a treat! ahhaha.

If there's significant standing water, you are probably better off using your street tires. Even if there wasn't, you'd probably wanna just leave the street tires on so that you don't have to change tires when it's wet or if the weather gets worse.

Arthur Grant · Post by **Arthur Grant** » Sat Oct 09, 2010 4:54 pm

Well on the do I even fit issue, yes just barely, it has cost me $1,500 but I have done it. I bought a used lexan roof form Brian Roberts the gave me about an 11/2", and went down to a porsche shop in San Diego and bought a set of Corbeau A4's with the driver seat shaved that lowered my sitting position another 2" My plan would be to run street tires. May do that at the practice anyway, just because I haven't put my Kumho XS's through a workout yet.

Arthur Grant · Post by **Arthur Grant** » Sat Oct 16, 2010 11:03 pm

Any wet weather driving tips?

Bob Beamesderfer · Post by **Bob Beamesderfer** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 9:03 am

Arthur Grant wrote:Any wet weather driving tips?

Smooth inputs. Brake earlier. Oh, and drive like Will Kalman.

Michael Wood · Post by **Michael Wood** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 9:30 am

I have another set up tip.

Don't borrow rain tires from Isley. They will be 10 year old, first gen Hoosiers and have been used in his daily commute, to save Kumho money for the race car...

Theo O. · Post by **Theo O.** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 11:33 am

I'm looking forward to a scenic drive along lake Fontana. It's actually very beautiful

Arthur Grant · Post by **Arthur Grant** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 12:31 pm

For practice I plan to run my Kumho XS street tires, likely whether it's wet or dry. Will have to see how they perform before running on Sunday. I am hoping the green Mustang that runs Kumho XS in CSP will be there so I can get some tire pressure info from them.

Post by **Bill Schenker** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 1:47 pm

Arthur Grant wrote:For practice I plan to run my Kumho XS street tires, likely whether it's wet or dry. Will have to see how they perform before running on Sunday. I am hoping the green Mustang that runs Kumho XS in CSP will be there so I can get some tire pressure info from them.

CSP!? We don't let no fat Amurican cars into CSP!

Arthur Grant · Post by **Arthur Grant** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:49 pm

Sorry CST

Greg Dennis · Post by **Greg Dennis** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 9:06 pm

This was my first autocross ever. And my work assignment included tending to a cone that was displaced by the WAKE (boating terminology), not the bumper or tire, of EVERY car that passed through a 6 inch deep puddle in my 2 inch tall non-water-resistant sneakers. Still had a blast though.I believe every California driver (I'm from New York, and it rains quite often there) should be required to drive an autocross course in the rain, so they realize that it's not necessary to drive on the freeway as if it were coated in ICE when there's a little water coming out of the sky...just saying. I was actually amazed at the level of grip my Vredenstein's were capable of in heavy rain, pretty impressive. Good times. Thanks for braving the elements and taking some cool pic's Mako. Can't wait to see everyone out there on Sunday in what should be drastically improved conditions!

Arthur Grant · Post by **Arthur Grant** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 9:32 pm

Greg, thanks for the thoughts, and for competing and staying at it. Looks like the conditions will be much better, I am expecting a spectacular weekend. (Still coming prepared for all eventuallities). Appeciate the wake comment, I have a 25 footer in Dana Point harbor. Last month at Norton was great, without the heat }:) this practice should be that much better.

Arthur Grant · Post by **Arthur Grant** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 9:33 pm

Bob Beamesderfer wrote:
Arthur Grant wrote:Any wet weather driving tips?
Smooth inputs. Brake earlier. Oh, and drive like Will Kalman.

Who is Will Kalman?

Post by **Bill Schenker** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 10:07 pm

Arthur Grant wrote:
Bob Beamesderfer wrote:
Arthur Grant wrote:Any wet weather driving tips?
Smooth inputs. Brake earlier. Oh, and drive like Will Kalman.
Who is Will Kalman?

Wil Kalman.

Signed,

Bil Schenker

Steve Ekstrand · Post by **Steve Ekstrand** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 7:04 am

When it started raining hard at nationals, Will Kalman put TWO SECONDS on the second drivers on the last run.

Arthur Grant · Post by **Arthur Grant** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 7:25 am

Steve Ekstrand wrote:When it started raining hard at nationals, Will Kalman put TWO SECONDS on the second drivers on the last run.

Ahhhhhhhh, I think I may end up driving more like the Blues Brothers than Wil if it rains, but will see what we get.

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