Cal Club Autocross Forums

Looks like we have some rain coming this weekend, will we run?
Paul

Unless there's lightning or we are flooded out, yes, we will run.

AutoX in the rain is a hoot.

Well, unless you are in a convertible that is.

Develops good throttle and car control skills. And I've done it in a go kart.

Have to be honest, not too keen on running in the rain. I've did it twice last season and it was interesting to say the least, but I'd rather save the rubber for a dry day.

I will keep my hopes up for dryer skies for the time being.

Chris Myers wrote:Have to be honest, not too keen on running in the rain. I've did it twice last season and it was interesting to say the least, but I'd rather save the rubber for a dry day.

I will keep my hopes up for dryer skies for the time being.

Running in the rain is very easy on tires. When you get serious about autocross and realize that competition doesn't stop when it's wet, and when you realize how hard it is to get wet experience in So Cal, you'll appreciate the opportunity. As a bonus, It allows you to hone car control skills that will translate into you being a safer and more confident driver on wet roads, especially when hydroplaning is a possibility.

I love racing in the rain! and it saves tires

PatMcSwain wrote:AutoX in the rain is a hoot.

Well, unless you are in a convertible that is.

More of a hoot in a convertible in my opinion. From November last year.

QV's car was more like riding Splash Mountain down there in the Great Lakes region.

Will there be any dry, covered areas to leave belongings like jacks or lunch bags?

Aaron Kinney wrote:Will there be any dry, covered areas to leave belongings like jacks or lunch bags?

No, we don't provide any cover, that's up to you I'm afraid.

Aaron Kinney wrote:Will there be any dry, covered areas to leave belongings like jacks or lunch bags?

If you bring an extra lunch bag for me, you can leave your stuff in my trailer/truck

Chris Myers wrote:Have to be honest, not too keen on running in the rain.

If you want to go faster in the dry, get good at it in the rain. You'll find that the car control and smoothness you learn in the wet will benefit you in the dry.

And don't forget you will have to work in the rain, too. So bring an appropriate rain suit, cheap ones are available. Spare shoes and socks are a good idea, too.

Rick Brown wrote:And don't forget you will have to work in the rain, too. So bring an appropriate rain suit, cheap ones are available. Spare shoes and socks are a good idea, too.

Is that guy Rudy, you know the red-head, going to be there? If he is, look him up for foul weather supplies.

Rudolph the Red Knows Rain Gear...

Quoc-Viet Dang wrote:

Aaron Kinney wrote:Will there be any dry, covered areas to leave belongings like jacks or lunch bags?

If you bring an extra lunch bag for me, you can leave your stuff in my trailer/truck

I will bring an extra lunch to bribe you for a bit of dry storage space. It's going to be an exquisite sandwich and chips affair!

Well, looks like the running in the rain is a welcomed by many, apparently.

George Schilling wrote: Running in the rain is very easy on tires. When you get serious about autocross and realize that competition doesn't stop when it's wet, and when you realize how hard it is to get wet experience in So Cal, you'll appreciate the opportunity. As a bonus, It allows you to hone car control skills that will translate into you being a safer and more confident driver on wet roads, especially when hydroplaning is a possibility.

I don't think my love/hate for the rain will be swayed that easily, but I understand the sentitment. AutoX is a just a hobby to me, a fun way to pass a Sunday, so I am not too worried about any lessons lost while running in the rain. But I can respect that to those who compete on a much more serious level the exposure can indeed provide valuable insight.

I have hydroplaned just this past November, and I will admit the autoX School I had taken (in the rain) a week or so prior did help as I made a recovery. Granted I was only doing 30mph lol.

Stephen Yeoh wrote: If you want to go faster in the dry, get good at it in the rain. You'll find that the car control and smoothness you learn in the wet will benefit you in the dry.

Can you care to elaborate a bit more on that? Racing in the rain is statistically slower than in the dry, so doesn't it act as a handicap?

Chris Myers wrote:Can you care to elaborate a bit more on that? Racing in the rain is statistically slower than in the dry, so doesn't it act as a handicap?

Speed has less to do w/ it than the car control skills required at the limit. The rain is less forgiving to "sloppy" driving. It also helps that it's easier to hit the limit at a lower speed to help you learn what to do when a similar thing happens at a higher speed in the dry. It's a similar concept to how autocrossing skills translate into better track day skills.

Quoc-Viet Dang wrote:

Chris Myers wrote:Can you care to elaborate a bit more on that? Racing in the rain is statistically slower than in the dry, so doesn't it act as a handicap?

Speed has less to do w/ it than the car control skills required at the limit. The rain is less forgiving to "sloppy" driving. It also helps that it's easier to hit the limit at a lower speed to help you learn what to do when a similar thing happens at a higher speed in the dry. It's a similar concept to how autocrossing skills translate into better track day skills.

This ^^^

Rain AutoX is the best!