[beworthy3]

Any insight on running autox in the rain? Its my first ever event and its on the only day in the range of like 2 weeks when its going to rain. Guy who runs the event said the rain helps understand the car better. I will run at the event but was just wondering if anybody has any info to offer on their own autox experiences in the rain.

[That1guy_tim]

The guy running the event is right. Doing events in the rain is the fastest way to learn the limits of your car and how to control the car at those limits.

[Silent_H_]

What Tim said: this is a great opportunity to learn the limits of your car in a safe manner! The beauty of AutoX is that usually the worst thing that will happen is you hit a cone or two with your car. Speeds should be low enough not to cause any damage to anything. Long ago I learned about traction control the hard way after spinning my dad's 2000 Boxter S on a wet AutoX course. It was fine until it wasn't (maybe without traction control it would have been more gradual, maybe not). I didn't even hit any cones, but it wouldn't have damaged anything if I had.

Enjoy! I hope to get to race in the rain with my Camaro some day to speed up my learning curve.

[DaveC113]

Watch out for understeer!

I have not done an event in the rain yet but in the cold the car just won't turn until it's going much slower than you might like, lol.

[MatthewAMEL]

And FYI - you will come away from the event with an even greater appreciation for the SC3's. They are stellar in the wet.

[JamesNoBrakes]

Originally Posted by MatthewAMEL

And FYI - you will come away from the event with an even greater appreciation for the SC3's. They are stellar in the wet.

Holy F I'm hydroplaning

[ariZona28]

That sucks!!! Sure you'll better understand the limits of your car, blah, blah, blah, I get it. BUT this is your first time out. You want to get out and hammer on your car in a safe, legal venue and a wet parking lot will be a lot slower. On the upside you'll feel real good about yourself and your car when you see the dramatic time and speed improvement next time out when the weather is decent.

[weemus]

Can’t say I’ve autocrossed this car in the rain but I’ve tracked it in rain. If it’s raining, heavy rain then the car is an absolute nightmare with SC3s. Couldn’t go over 70 mph and hydroplanning EVERYWHERE. Decided not worth wading up the car so been there done that. However if it wet/damp then the SC3 will surprise you in a good way. Autocross doesn’t have the speeds and barriers that a track has so it’s nearly risk free (there is always one curb or light pole to be mind full of during max attack). PS I won FTD in the rain once in my old wrx, only time I could beat up on everyone, lol.

So go and if it’s raining cats and dogs take it easy and push forward cautiously, not that you hit anything just spins are much more likely. If it’s wet and or damp once the tires are up to temp hammer on brother, hammer on.

[beworthy3]

Thanks all for the advice, the event was this morning. I went and it was quite the fun experience. Was torrential rain early but evened out as the day went on. Heavy puddles early that slowly went away. Car definitely didn't enjoy the weather but it managed very well for me. Glad I went. Learned a lot about how the car acts when its upset. Should be an absolute blast in the dry!

[Silent_H_]

Originally Posted by beworthy3

Thanks all for the advice, the event was this morning. I went and it was quite the fun experience. Was torrential rain early but evened out as the day went on. Heavy puddles early that slowly went away. Car definitely didn't enjoy the weather but it managed very well for me. Glad I went. Learned a lot about how the car acts when its upset. Should be an absolute blast in the dry!

Glad you had a good day!

[Msquared]

Autocrossing in the rain is not going to help you learn much about how your car will be in the dry, IME. The dynamics are just way too different, especially if there is standing water. But it's good experience nonetheless, and you need to be able to do it if you plan to get serious because most events go right ahead in the rain. The problem with the SC3s in the rain is that they never get hot, and they want some heat to generate their best grip. They aren't dangerous, but there are far better tires for rain (Michelin PS4 and Continental EC Sports in particular). The car is a blast in the dry, for sure. Get out there and keep doing it!