Again, tried in the Road Racing Forum, didn't get much response so here we go:

Just in the other posting, a few articles mentioned about “staying off the dry line” in the rain. Can someone elaborate more on this subject? How do you determine what line to take in case of rain? The track that I used to run on always has LOTS of rubber on the track other than the “best line”…. So we tended to stay on the “best line” even though it’s raining. Also, wouldn’t it make sense too, since everyone (if the rain stops) travelling on the best line and it should dry up faster compare to the other part of the track?
Any experiences/hints/tips to run on the track in the rain would be appreciated (any links to articles would be helpful too!)

TIA,
CS

 

no real articles to ponit you to- but IMO both these books do a good job discussing driving in the rain

Drive to Win
Going Faster: Mastering the Art of Race Driving: The Skip Barber Racing School

 

Why two threads talking about the same thing?

 

I think the rain line will be pretty obvious to you once you have a few warm up laps.

Generally speaking - for sure you will be braking earlier and accelerating later. Depending on your cars set-up - you will have to adjust the braking and turn-in points as it suits your car.

The car will tend to drift more too - so your line will have to allow for this.

There are so many variables - that it will really depend on the day and the track conditions the most.

Just have fun, listen to your instructors and be safe.

 

The line you would want to look for in the rain is called the "rim shot" line which basically has you going around the outer edge of the turn. The reason for not taking the dry line is because ruts can form on the ground due to the traffic. When you hit these ruts filled with water, you will have zero traction.

Hope that helps

 

Excuse me, sir, what are you talking about?

 

Brake earlier and definitly in a staight line (i.e. no trailbraking) float the car from entry to the apex, and feather the gas out. Usually you *search around* a little for the line. Just *feel around* for where there is the most grip. Each track and turn is diff in these regards. Look at where some drivers with more experience are running, look for *dryer* areas from cars running over them.

If a dry line gets worked in, follow that. However, if you are on wet tires make sure to search for puddles on the straights to cool them off.

Sorry so long

 

could it be that there is a lot of oil on the race line, making traction less available? just something i thought of when this topic came up. Purely from the top of my head.

 

If a car is dumping oil on the race line they are black flagged immediately unless of course we're talking about ITR EXPO 02.

Seriously though, the thing that confused me was this part:

I have NEVER seen this happen and I assume this statement is based on first-hand experience, so I'm curious as to what exactly happened in that situation.

 

The rain line is traditionally "anything other than the line". So you are supposed to drive off of The Line when it's raining hard and puddles are forming. When it's damp, or just a little wet, most people stay on The Line.

The reason you want to be off of The Line when it's wet is because The Line is usually smoother because of the wear from all the tires, has more oil on it because more cars drive there, and there is a slick layer of rubber from all the tires. wet+slick=spin

It really depends on the conditions ... when is raining very lightly, most racers will stay on The Line and try to dry it up ... 30-40 cars with hot tires can do a lot to dry the pavement.

If The Line is wet, and off The Line is a puddle, you'd use The Line. Get it




[Modified by SpiceyRice, 8:15 PM 6/20/2002]

 

Huh?

 

I think the answer is there are INFINITE lines around the track. There is a generally accepted faster way around the track, but it depends upon the conditions and car what line is faster... oh yeah, then there's the racing line, which is the line that keeps you out front.


[Modified by SpiceyRice, 10:13 PM 6/20/2002]

 

I'm only guessing but I think it's referring to taking a slightly earlier apex, instead of the usual late apex because you might not have as much traction in a wet situation.

 

I can tell you have lots of track experience. There's a reason you hear everyone saying there's a Porsche line -- because there is.

Different cars take different lines -- the 911 being the classic example of a car never to follow unless you're in a 911 yourself.

Yes the apex is always the apex... but you approach and depart the apex differently depending upon your car and the conditions.



[Modified by SpiceyRice, 5:57 PM 6/21/2002]

 

You've "tracked numerous 911s", but you don't know what the rain line is and you don't know that 911s take a different line than most FWD/RWD cars. Where's that bullshit flag when I need it.

Dude, ask questions, learn from the answers, but don't ask questions then say the answers are wrong -- that's just plain stupid.