5 replies to this topic

[PRFGDWRNCH]

Hi All,

I was wondering what the opinion is on diconnecting the sway bars to soften the car for wet weather racing. In my past life that was something that was done.

Thanks

Dave

[Keith Novak]

If it's just damp, I'll leave it in the dry setup.  If there is standing water, I'll disconnect the rear.  If it's torrential rain where rivers are running down the course, I'll disconnect both bars.  It also sometimes depends on how much I want to lay on my back in a pond removing the bolts. 

[Glenn Davis]

Damp or light rain = Dry Setup

Heavy rain = Rain tires and both sway bars unhooked

[Danny Steyn]

i LOVE racing in the rain!

 

For me, I use the same setup for rain as for dry. I prefer to induce the rear of the car to rotate intentionally, so that it does not catch me by surprise. 

 

Once I have a feel of what it takes to get 

• the front to slip on turn in by going in too hard, 
• the rear to slip on exit by getting to throttle too hard
• all four to slide under braking with too much brake input

then I have an idea of what it will take to put in good laps.

 

To me it's critical to exceed the limits of adhesion quickly, preferably in testing or practice / qualifying sessions if its wet, but if the race is the first wet session, then I want to find the limits in the out lap, so that I have a feel of what I can get away with in the race. In the 2010 June Sprints that I was lucky enough to win in the rain, I actually did a complete 360 on the out lap ahead of Derek Whitis who was kind enough not to hit me.

 

Here's a test day approach to finding the limits at Road Atlanta

 

 

and a more recent one at Roebling

 

 

 

 

 

 

[davew]

Change tires and put on rain-X. Otherwise no chassis changes.

 

2 of the best rain racers I have seen are Voytek Burdzy and Danny Steyn, they both use the same set-up rain or dry.

 

Dave

[PRFGDWRNCH]

Thanks everyone who responded.

We have opinions that cover all possibilities. As long as I know there is no option that I should avoid, I will try them all and see what works best for me.

Dave