My first spin on ice.....
Discussion
I too had a couple of 'brown trouser' moments yesterday.
First was quite early, taking no 3 Daughter to the stables, front end on the Golf went a little light and started to understeer around a (usually 45mph) right hander. s
tty low rollong resistence tyres.
Had to go back up around lunchtime, so I took the TVR. Slidey time, wheelspin in ALL gears (without trying). God I love that car.
First was quite early, taking no 3 Daughter to the stables, front end on the Golf went a little light and started to understeer around a (usually 45mph) right hander. s
tty low rollong resistence tyres.Had to go back up around lunchtime, so I took the TVR. Slidey time, wheelspin in ALL gears (without trying). God I love that car.
Mr GrimNasty said:
Indeed, ice in dips/hollows shade of hedges/buildings in such conditions should not take any driver unawares.
Indeed.Looking back I probably wouldn't have done much differently though. Unobstructed piece of road, no trees, bright sun and a gradual and slight bend. Just goes to show, you never know what's there, the 'crest' I describe was visible but so small you wouldn't worry normally.
That rise is the only thing I can think of that unsettled the car. As I said, I was even mentally willing other cars to slow down. You live and learn.
jimbobsimmonds said:
As for tyres, does anything short of studs (I think the highways agency as well as every pebble chipped bonnet and broken window on the poor bloke behind you) work on ice???
If you look at the many Youtube vids filmed on icerinks with traffic cones it tends to suggest normal winter tyres are better than summer tyres on sheet ices m said:
jimbobsimmonds said:
As for tyres, does anything short of studs (I think the highways agency as well as every pebble chipped bonnet and broken window on the poor bloke behind you) work on ice???
If you look at the many Youtube vids filmed on icerinks with traffic cones it tends to suggest normal winter tyres are better than summer tyres on sheet iceGarlick,if it helps, and I am sure it won't, I once did very similar.
In a coach.
Not only did that feel like slow motion, it was in slow motion. Whole thing was best part of 2km start to finish down a massive hill that has flash frozen, for want of better explanation.
Two of us in the coach awake at the time - not a single passenger woke up.
It went something like slid, bump, slid, bump, skid, miss lorry whilst sliding, grip, slid, slew, slid and we are down, drive on to next services change pants.
In a coach.
Not only did that feel like slow motion, it was in slow motion. Whole thing was best part of 2km start to finish down a massive hill that has flash frozen, for want of better explanation.
Two of us in the coach awake at the time - not a single passenger woke up.
It went something like slid, bump, slid, bump, skid, miss lorry whilst sliding, grip, slid, slew, slid and we are down, drive on to next services change pants.
Well handled Garlick, and a timely reminder to all to be careful. 
My one and only accident (so far, fingers crossed) was a similar "passenger" experience through black ice. Unfortunately I proved less talented and ended in the ditch facing the wrong way.
Late christmas present to self - skidpan refresher course I think. Can anyone recommend a good one? Preferably near Surrey.
My one and only accident (so far, fingers crossed) was a similar "passenger" experience through black ice. Unfortunately I proved less talented and ended in the ditch facing the wrong way.
Late christmas present to self - skidpan refresher course I think. Can anyone recommend a good one? Preferably near Surrey.
Ryvita said:
Well handled Garlick, and a timely reminder to all to be careful.
My one and only accident (so far, fingers crossed) was a similar "passenger" experience through black ice. Unfortunately I proved less talented and ended in the ditch facing the wrong way.
Late christmas present to self - skidpan refresher course I think. Can anyone recommend a good one? Preferably near Surrey.
Mercedes Benz World?My one and only accident (so far, fingers crossed) was a similar "passenger" experience through black ice. Unfortunately I proved less talented and ended in the ditch facing the wrong way.
Late christmas present to self - skidpan refresher course I think. Can anyone recommend a good one? Preferably near Surrey.
Gizmo! said:
Mercedes Benz World?
Already looked and they don't really offer anything suitable. In an ideal world would like something that allowed use of your own car on a skid pan, but I guess that's unlikely.I did a really good one many many years ago through RoSPA but can't remember where.
Ryvita said:
Gizmo! said:
Mercedes Benz World?
Already looked and they don't really offer anything suitable. In an ideal world would like something that allowed use of your own car on a skid pan, but I guess that's unlikely.I did a really good one many many years ago through RoSPA but can't remember where.
Ryvita said:
Late christmas present to self - skidpan refresher course I think. Can anyone recommend a good one? Preferably near Surrey.
Rather ironically Goodwood do skid pan courses at the circuit. They were out there yesterday but young Mr. Garlick felt he had had enough practice for the day.
nottyash said:
Please dont for one minute suggest that winter tyres will grip on black ice and this wouldnt of happened
Would have probably been just a bit of a twitch rather than a complete loss of control and full on spin.Just have a look at the numerous youtube vids for proof of how well non studded winter tyres perform on ice rinks (which are 100 times slippier than black ice ever will be) compared to summers. I defy you to still have the same opinion after seeing the evidence.
Bravo, Garlick... for saving the car and for sharing your story with us. It's one thing to learn from your own experiences, but sharing them with us all might just make someone think a bit harder and stop them hitting something painful.
Above all, glad to know that man and beast are well.
Above all, glad to know that man and beast are well.
dvs_dave said:
nottyash said:
Please dont for one minute suggest that winter tyres will grip on black ice and this wouldnt of happened
Would have probably been just a bit of a twitch rather than a complete loss of control and full on spin.Just have a look at the numerous youtube vids for proof of how well non studded winter tyres perform on ice rinks (which are 100 times slippier than black ice ever will be) compared to summers. I defy you to still have the same opinion after seeing the evidence.
In the real world, on real roads which have potholes, countours etc and at speeds of 40mph+ I cant see it being a massive advantage.
All them tests show is they can provide more grip and improve stopping distances at slow speeds on a perfectly flat ice ring.
I think if you buy them and drive on the UK roads there is still a good possibility you will spin in the right conditions, they are not excempt from crashing
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