Today, DSC failed me!

[~Divine~Wind~]

important thing is yer ok dude
Cars can always be replaced (well sorta)

But remember yer not meant to take wild flowers n stuff home

 

[86JR]

No far from it, there was biblical rain so my senses were finally honed, I just drove through a rather large mass of standing water, felt just like ice I had zero control or options available to me, just hold tight and watch as my view went from tree to bush to road to grass to tree to bush to road etc...

I must admit Dsc had saved me from a few wobbles over the years when aquaplaning so I shall learn my lesson and leave earlier in future, although I really would stress I wasn't speeding (anyone who knows me will testify if I'm in the wrong I'll admit it quite happily, lying to strangers is a strange habit round here! >

I would be careful describing anything on here, next thing you know the jealous people who can't afford a Z4 will be ringing the Police telling them that they should investigate you!

 

[SkodaMart]

It can be pretty entertaining though

That's not aquaplaning, that's a very wet lap driven with careful skill and control.

This is aquaplaning:

Driving too fast for the tread on the tyres to be able to shift the water that is in front of them quickly enough. Is that even a sentence?

 

[86JR]

Tyres don't move water do they?

 

[SkodaMart]

Tyres don't move water do they?

Yes, that's the job of the tread, to give the standing water a way of escape so that the rubber can displace the water and contact the road.

 

[86JR]

I thought the tread was designed in such a way as to get maximum friction whilst keeping noise to a minimum, ride quality to the maximum, whilst trying not to wear too fast?

 

[pcoltrane]

That's not aquaplaning, that's a very wet lap driven with careful skill and control.

This is aquaplaning:

Driving too fast for the tread on the tyres to be able to shift the water that is in front of them quickly enough. Is that even a sentence?

I was definitely aquaplaning You can hear the revs suddenly rise midway along the straight on several occasions as the tyres get lifted off the track by the water.

They were pretty treacherous conditions - most the drivers either spun multiple times or pulled in as they thought it was too dangerous. It was the aquaplaning those drivers were struggling with the most. If you had the confidence to keep the power on through the areas where you were aquaplaning and could react with the right subtle corrections it was quite drivable though (and good fun It did result in a huge spread of laptimes (20+ seconds) across a grid normally seperated by 2-3s!

 

[SkodaMart]

I thought the tread was designed in such a way as to get maximum friction whilst keeping noise to a minimum, ride quality to the maximum, whilst trying not to wear too fast?

Its the tyre rubber that generates friction, that's why race cars use slick tyres.
The grooves in the tyres are to allow water to be easily displaced.

Some tread designs work better than others, some tyres are harder or softer than others.

A soft shallow tread design will grip well in the dry, a soft well designed deep tread design will provide better wet control.

Harder compounds last better and need replacing less frequently.

 

[SkodaMart]

I was definitely aquaplaning You can hear the revs suddenly rise midway along the straight on several occasions as the tyres get lifted off the track by the water.

They were pretty treacherous conditions - most the drivers either spun multiple times or pulled in as they thought it was too dangerous. It was the aquaplaning most of those drivers were struggling with the most. If you had the confidence to keep the power on through the areas where you were aquaplaning and could react with the right subtle corrections it was quite drivable though (and good fun It did result in a huge spread of laptimes (20+ seconds) across a grid normally seperated by 2-3s!

Was that you driving?
You new to reduce your speed at appropriate places, such as corners, watching that video the car looked well controlled for the conditions.

Edit: Well controlled and above my skill level.

Imagine driving along a road at 70mph, hitting a standing patch of water on a corner that you was unaware of, this is what causes the crashes.

If said personage was aware that there was a standing patch of water he or she would have slowed down if they had any sense.

 

[Sasso]

slippity slidey all over the place in that vid! dang! imagine Will did something similar to the first car in that clip...but taking the scenic route but glad you're alright! the Z4 front just looks like it hasn't shaved for a bit

and tyres displace the water provided they have grooves n shizzle for the water to be channeled along... if not... then no... they don't move water... they just ski across the top as per le video

 

[Janesy B]

I would be careful describing anything on here, next thing you know the jealous people who can't afford a Z4 will be ringing the Police telling them that they should investigate you!

Yes because that happens all the time.

 

[pcoltrane]

Was that you driving?
You new to reduce your speed at appropriate places, such as corners, watching that video the car looked well controlled for the conditions.

Imagine driving along a road at 70mph, hitting a standing patch of water on a corner that you was unaware of, this is what causes the crashes.

If said personage was aware that there was a standing patch of water he or she would have slowed down if they had any sense.

Yeah I was the driver in the video.

I agree about appropriate speed for the conditions. Despite driving a 4wd car (which can help with aquaplaning) and perhaps a lot more experience of dealing with aquaplaning at high speed - I still get plenty of cars passing me at 20mph faster than I feel is appropriate in very wet conditions. I don't think most people realise how treacherous it can be if they've never experienced it.
You can take calculated risks on a race circuit - but I wouldn't on the road.

I only posted to show that it could be fun too though

 

[Agent_Smith357]

That's not aquaplaning, that's a very wet lap driven with careful skill and control.

This is aquaplaning:

Driving too fast for the tread on the tyres to be able to shift the water that is in front of them quickly enough. Is that even a sentence?

Man at first I thought the video was looped! then I realized its a gift that keeps on giving.

 

[Housey]

I was at Silverstone in the early 80's for an ETCC race when this happened, took out about 6 cars and many just got away. Dry track onto wet track in 100 yards on slick.

 

[pcoltrane]

I was at Silverstone in the early 80's for an ETCC race when this happened, took out about 6 cars and many just got away. Dry track onto wet track in 100 yards on slick.

The MX5 race after the qualifying session in my video resulted in a huge pile up and 5 or 6 very very sorry looking MX5s. One of the drivers just lost it across the start finish line driving in a straight line and everyone else collected him.

No video access here - but I'll take a look at yours when I get home.

 

[mattyg]

The rears are about 6-7000 miles of, I guess 4-5mm at least, the copper on the scene checked them and wasn't remotely concerned so I'm confident in the roadworthiness of the car.

The breakaway was instant not like a small dive followed by a tank slapping driving fail, it whipped me straight off the road, having notched up another mega stint in another s2k I'm reasonably keen to point out I've experienced most things on the road. I've also done nearly 20k in the z4 already

This shows a little overconfidence.
I'm a professional driver. over 100k per year for over a decade. And I certainly don't think I've experienced MOST things on the road. And I've certainly seen a lot of things.

I had my big Nissan Murano aquaplaning on me the other week, with brand new tyres. I was over confident.. that was another wake up call.
It takes 2 foot of water to float a bus.
It wont take much to make a Z4 aquaplane.

 

[PMKeates]

The key with heavy standing water is to go so fast, no wheels grip. You will then float above the water like a majestic goose, and the chorus section of Yanni's A ria will spontaneously play through the speakers.

Listen and know it's right http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mVTlOJYAhs&#t=102s

 

[Sin_Chase]

Flawed logic +1

It's not flawed at all. If a vehicle has aids fitted, leave them enabled if you are on the road. I have absolutely nothing against driver aids and they can be wonderful tools.

But that is all they are, tools. When I step into a vehicle I recognise what driver aids it has but that is all, recognition - It will not change how I drive. The only thing it might change is the action to resolve a loss of control.

Should always be aiming not getting into a loss of control situation in the first place. I will not drive faster or harder because I have DSC/VSC/ESP/Whatever else, nor should anyone. The temptation or contempt can creep in though, even for the most trained drivers.

 

[[TW]Fox]

It's not flawed at all. If a vehicle has aids fitted, leave them enabled if you are on the road. I have absolutely nothing against driver aids and they can be wonderful tools.

But that is all they are, tools. When I step into a vehicle I recognise what driver aids it has but that is all, recognition - It will not change how I drive. The only thing it might change is the action to resolve a loss of control.

Should always be aiming not getting into a loss of control situation in the first place. I will not drive faster or harder because I have DSC/VSC/ESP/Whatever else, nor should anyone. The temptation or contempt can creep in though, even for the most trained drivers.

It doesnt change how I drive either therefore being 'glad' you don't have driver aids available to you should you need them is, as PMKeates has suggested, somewhat bizarre logic.

 

[PMKeates]

It's not flawed at all. If a vehicle has aids fitted, leave them enabled if you are on the road. I have absolutely nothing against driver aids and they can be wonderful tools.

But that is all they are, tools. When I step into a vehicle I recognise what driver aids it has but that is all, recognition - It will not change how I drive. The only thing it might change is the action to resolve a loss of control.

Should always be aiming not getting into a loss of control situation in the first place. I will not drive faster or harder because I have DSC/VSC/ESP/Whatever else, nor should anyone. The temptation or contempt can creep in though, even for the most trained drivers.

Fine but that isn't what you said.

I'm glad my car has no driver aids beyond ABS.

This is flawed logic. It's no different to saying you'd rather not have an airbag, just in case it encourages you to be reckless. There have been several studies showing that driver aids reduce the frequency and severity of accidents, and so any effect of increasing confidence is outweighed by the capabilities of the systems.