spun my car out

[ryanOC]

oops.....

on the macarthur onramp from university in irvine....

saw the green turn light still lit and headed for it quickly... got the car partially sideways while gassing hard and then lost the rear end.... spun about 90 degrees left, whipped back around 300 degrees right

didn't hit either of the guard rails

only 1 person was around... a ways behind me

if i only had that limited slip! ..... and maybe some new shocks/springs

sigh

[PSloan]

good thing you're alright and didnt hit anything

[SteveJ]

Time for a car control clinic!

We've got one this Saturday at Candlestick.

[BillWilliams]

DON"T LIFT.

These little cars suffer from what the car control guys call Trailing Throttle Oversteer.

I think this means if you get the butt end loose and lift the throttle, kiss the rear end goodbye. Just feather the throttle and steer into the turn and go go go.

Glad you are ok. Find an empty wet parking lot and experiment

[meeks]

i spun out on the 73 north going into the 405 before, definately not fun. i was in my old 911 and some guy veered in my lane [ far left ] i had the wall next to me, so i hit the brake to avoid being hit and the good ol brakes locked up. i did a 540 or what seemed like a whirlpool and i ended up facing traffic. lucky everyone was way behind and slowed down in time. i still dont think that idiot saw me in his blind spot. i ended up having to replace all four tires cause of the flat spots. good thing you're ok, cause i know i shit in my pants [not really].

[dlhoovler]

It was on the Shakertown drive, which saw cold rain much of the way. The on-ramp to I-75 was wet and slick, and my front end plowed (thanks to the 22mm front sway bar and stock-size rear). My instinct was to lift, which caused the rear end to step out. Thankfully I was able to save it by counter-steering and then catching the swing the other way. The experience has me wanting a bigger rear bar, though, to balance the car a little better. And I'd love to do a car-control clinic sometime... Why does the CCA only do 'em for teens?

-Dave

[ryanOC]

haha.... nice stories....

yeah maybe i should attend... or have an intervention

my car is in dire need of new shocks, and stiffer springs...and some reinforcements, etc, etc

[Lars]

I'd practice in my 75 in the snow doing that, very fun and it made controling it on the dry even easier.

[scottiesharpe]

(nt)

[SteveJ]

Dave,

Maybe the CCA only has them for teens, but the Golden Gate Chapter holds them as a pre-requisite for any track schools. One of the guys that currently coordinates the event was invited to speak at the driving events conference and had several other chapters asking about starting up their own programs. Maybe by the time you get back stateside they will have programs for old fahrts like you.:^)

That's the big one!

DON'T LIFT.

Once the tail end gets light, lifting off the throttle or worse yet, braking causes all the weight to go forward and just makes the tail that much lighter. Fun to play with, WHEN you plan on it happening.

[Mike Self]

Blizzaks on very slightly wet pavement. Went onto the offramp I take every day just a little fast; the back end started to come around so I countersteered and it just snapped around the other direction 180 degrees. The ramp is five lanes wide there, so I didn't get anything, and only a semi-surprised UPS driver came upon me facing downhill on an uphill ramp before I did a quick U and left. Classic trailing throttle oversteer, even on an E30...not to mention skinny snow tires.

Cheap education in handling.

mike

[Mike Self]

screen--if you want it have 'em ship it to me and I'll keep it for you 'till you get home this summer...

mike

[Delia]

If you "lost the rear end," a limited slip may not help.

I've driven my '85 Corolla GTS (rear driver) with LSD in speed events, on rallies and ice races, and when you "lose the back end" -- and in order for the car to not "snap around" in the opposite direction -- the best remedy is to "feather" the throttle - lift gently - even if it is counter-intuitive.

I drive my '88 325is (w/factory LSD) year-round here in Michigan - no snow tires. With both rear wheels turning at the same time, it's by far the best way to get through snow and icy highway conditions. Not for deep snow, however.

Driving "at speed" takes practice, and a good instructor can help you get the most from your car - or any car, for that matter. You can have the best wheel/tire/shock/spring/swaybar combination, and still not be able to save your "lost rear end."

My $.02

Delia

[Guest Anonymous]

in the 1600. on my street. dry as a bone. sober as hell. in third gear with a trunk full of tools and a passenger I did a 180º. scared the shit outta me. things were fine one minute, we were heading the other way the next minute. very professional.

skinny tires and NO swaybars. or seatbelts. or real bumpers.

be vewy cawful.

Brent

Little Rock

[Paul7002]

(nt)