Driving Weather?

A place to hang out and discuss all things Porsche.

Postby 993Panzer on Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:08 pm

There are three reasons I know of for not running for points in the rain. Two have already been stated but I'll summarize them.

First most people run sticky tires if not slicks and don't bring multiple sets of tires depending on the weather. This is autocrossing and not Club Racing.

Running on a dry verses wet track is much different than a slight temperature change due to the time of day and the sun. We do try to keep things as equal as possible to make things fair.

Safety is the major issue from my stand point. I was safety chair for 3 years and keeping drivers and cars safe came way before points and proving that we're manly We had several cars damaged a few years ago in dry conditions. At least one was a total loss with many thousands of dollars of damage to the others. The thought of competing in the rain was never considered. Why put drivers, cars and the club in danger. Losing a car is bad enough, losing a venue where we can hold events effects everyone.

Just my 2 cents.

Let me know if you ever want a ride in my car. :lol:
Dave Gardner

1996 993 (cc5 #329)
User avatar
993Panzer
Club Racer
 
Posts: 559
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2005 1:23 pm
Location: Restaurant at the End of the Universe

Postby jenniferreinhardt on Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:42 pm

I want a ride!
Jennifer Reinhardt
'07 Cayman S ~ #504 CC11
Past ~ Board of Directors, AX Registration, Social, '90 964 Carrera 2, and '99 986 Boxster
User avatar
jenniferreinhardt
Time Trialer
 
Posts: 437
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2006 3:52 pm
Location: Zone 8

Postby 993Panzer on Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:15 pm

Anytime Jen. You can point out why I'm so slow. :lol:
Dave Gardner

1996 993 (cc5 #329)
User avatar
993Panzer
Club Racer
 
Posts: 559
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2005 1:23 pm
Location: Restaurant at the End of the Universe

Postby ronaldtrotter on Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:31 pm

Ian's right Dan you don't want him as a volunteer. He's my son and that should say it all.
'82" 911 SC Targa
'86' Buick Grand National
'85' 944 Spec
2015 VW Sport Wagon TDI
ronaldtrotter
Time Trialer
 
Posts: 448
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2005 8:10 am
Location: Chula vista

Postby ttweed on Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:45 am

thunderbox wrote: Conditions change each and EVERY ax. The sun comes out, goes away, track is cold, track is hot, air is cold or not, sun is in your eyes or not. That is life. If you luck out and get a dry(er) run, good for you.
The basis for our "friendly competition" is a level playing field. If we are going to run for points in the rain, then timed run groups must be staged by class, so that everyone in the class experiences similar conditions. We structure our run groups according to student/instructor pairings and two-driver cars, largely, and ignore class relationships. This can lead to a huge disparity in track conditions between competitors in the same class, who run hours apart in changing conditions, which is fundamentally unfair. It is supposed to be a contest of driving skill and car prep, not how lucky you can be.

Speaking of car prep, being competitive in the wet absolutely requires that you have a separate set of rain tires available when necessary, as David pointed out, and be prepared to change them out at a moment's notice. The difference in effectiveness of a wet-weather race tire is huge, and if you run them in drying conditions, they can be quickly destroyed. Additionally, cars with easily adjustable suspensions have a big advantage in being able to alter their setup quickly for wet conditions. Can you say "$3000 adjustable shocks and $1500 adjustable ARBs?" Deciding to change our policy about rainy weather events will up the "car prep ante" in a very expensive way for any serious competitor, and require organizational and procedural changes in the way we run events in order to maintain fairness. Is that what we want, in the interest of being "macho?"

TT
Tom Tweed -- #908
SDR Tech Inspection Chair 2005-06
SDR Forum Admin 2010-present
Windblown Witness Assistant Editor 2012-present
Driving Porsches since 1964
User avatar
ttweed
Admin
 
Posts: 1851
Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2004 7:13 am
Location: La Jolla, CA

Postby mrondeau on Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:40 am

As 2007 corner working co-chair, I would like to keep the rainy day events as non-competetive as possible. Having worked corners in the rain, I've seen drivers blow through corners and slide quite some distance even when it's a non-points event. I believe that the added pressure and adreneline of a points event would lead to a more dangerous situation for our corner workers. Cars tend to slide farther and faster in wet conditions which puts vehicles, stadium property and most importantly, PEOPLE, at risk. Just my 2 cents.
Mark Rondeau - Retired from club duties
1979 911SC #1 -Modified for track use.
2021 Toyota Tundra 4X4
User avatar
mrondeau
Pro Racer
 
Posts: 1256
Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2007 9:28 pm
Location: San Diego

Postby Dan Chambers on Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:46 am

ronaldtrotter wrote:Ian's right Dan you don't want him as a volunteer. He's my son and that should say it all.


Well .... with all due respect .... it appears youth is once again wasted on the young. :lol: :lol: Besides, every volunteer has a role in the day. Just like every piece of furniture has a role: my National Autocross Champion trophy makes a great doorstop. :shock: :oops: :lol:

Ron, what is Saturday's theme?
"Slip Slidin' Away"
"I'm already Gone"
"Nothin' From Nothin' Leaves Nothin'"
"Rainy Day Blues"

(Okay; so I'm dating myself with these old tunes. So what?!?! :evil: )
Dan Chambers
"It's just a "well prepared" street car ... or a very, very well-mannered track car." :burnout:
1983 SC #91 3.6L, "Black Pearl" Livery
1987 944 (gone but not forgotten)
User avatar
Dan Chambers
Pro Racer
 
Posts: 1761
Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2004 3:57 pm
Location: San Diego

Postby John Straub on Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:02 am

Hey...I like the old Riverside Avatars...way cool. 8)

And, Dave can I also get a ride?
John Straub...56 year member...PCASDR
1965 911
1967 911
1970 914/6GT,(Sold)
Websitehttp://www.JohnStraubImageWorks.com
User avatar
John Straub
Club Racer
 
Posts: 991
Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2004 3:13 pm
Location: La Mesa

Postby 993Panzer on Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:50 am

John Straub wrote:Hey...I like the old Riverside Avatars...way cool. 8)

And, Dave can I also get a ride?


John,

Ok you can have a ride anytime.

Can I catch a ride with you in your 914/6? I love that car.
Dave Gardner

1996 993 (cc5 #329)
User avatar
993Panzer
Club Racer
 
Posts: 559
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2005 1:23 pm
Location: Restaurant at the End of the Universe

Postby John Straub on Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:16 am

Sure! But I'll probably scare you...because I always scare myself! :shock:
John Straub...56 year member...PCASDR
1965 911
1967 911
1970 914/6GT,(Sold)
Websitehttp://www.JohnStraubImageWorks.com
User avatar
John Straub
Club Racer
 
Posts: 991
Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2004 3:13 pm
Location: La Mesa

Postby 993Panzer on Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:21 am

That makes it even better. :lol:

A little fear keeps the heart pumping. I only hope you don't fall asleep riding with me. :D
Dave Gardner

1996 993 (cc5 #329)
User avatar
993Panzer
Club Racer
 
Posts: 559
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2005 1:23 pm
Location: Restaurant at the End of the Universe

Postby John Straub on Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:30 am

Nope...I always say, I have more to learn from all of you guys. :)
John Straub...56 year member...PCASDR
1965 911
1967 911
1970 914/6GT,(Sold)
Websitehttp://www.JohnStraubImageWorks.com
User avatar
John Straub
Club Racer
 
Posts: 991
Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2004 3:13 pm
Location: La Mesa

Looks like a wet one for sure...

Postby Autobahn on Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:30 pm

Sean

944-Spec #867 "The Pumpkin"
2002 1973
2011 335D
3.0cs 1972
Ford GT40 (CAV)
Isetta 600 1959 "The BMW"
1992 525i Lemons car
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough"---Mario Andretti
User avatar
Autobahn
Time Trialer
 
Posts: 273
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2007 8:56 pm
Location: La Mesa

Re: Looks like a wet one for sure...

Postby thunderbox on Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:52 pm

Autobahn wrote:http://www.weather.com/outlook/events/sports/tenday/92020?from=36hr_topnav_sports



This could be start finish...
Image :shock:


Then I will bring my Boston Whaler. :twisted:
User avatar
thunderbox
Autocrosser
 
Posts: 67
Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2007 12:08 pm
Location: San Diego, CA

Postby John Straub on Wed Jan 23, 2008 3:44 pm

Ian, let me take a guess about your Avatar...LA Times Grand Prix, about 1967,68,69?

All these guys that answered you on your question, know huge amounts about why we run these events like we do....but, it's always good to ask questions. :)
John Straub...56 year member...PCASDR
1965 911
1967 911
1970 914/6GT,(Sold)
Websitehttp://www.JohnStraubImageWorks.com
User avatar
John Straub
Club Racer
 
Posts: 991
Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2004 3:13 pm
Location: La Mesa

PreviousNext

Return to General Discussions

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 37 guests