My first spin on ice.....
Discussion
So as I headed to the Sunday Service yesterday it was still relatively early (We have to be there at least an hour before you chaps) and the OTG in the Lexus had moved from -2 when I left home to +2 an hour into my drive. On the Saturday I realised the TVR battery was flat so I took the LS, in the end I was thankful that I did.
I'd noticed the road was white with ice nearing Goodwood some time earlier, so my drive was at taken at 40/ 45mph not the 60+ I would usually do along here in the dry. Taking a right hander the road was glistening as I edged around it, noticing a Range Rover Sport coming the opposite way at a fair lick, 'he needs to be careful' I thought.
5 mins later I am entering a right hander, I think I was still at about 40/ 45, the sun was up and the road looked good. A tiny crest caused the Lexus to momentarily rise on the suspension and as it dropped the back went to the left, despite being on a constant throttle.
Now despite all of this happening in 10 seconds I had time to think. I was on full opposite lock with gentle throttle but I was a passenger at this stage and was looking at the looming hedge thinking 'I'm through that, wonder if the car will be OK?' and then all of a sudden I was facing the other way. At this stage I am making adjustments to the steering but I'm just along for the ride now.....
Luckily I was still on tarmac (a narrow B road) but now I was across both lanes going backwards. Now I'm thinking 'Is anything coming in the opposite direction' and 'I'm heading towards that ditch'. On the brakes now and I manage to stop with the rear wheels on the grass, but I have avoided dropping into the ditch.
Rolling forwards I realise the steering is heavy and I suspect breakage somewhere, but fortunately it has just stalled. Into N on the auto and restart, all seems to be OK and not another car in sight.
Back onto the road I pull over and collect my thoughts. I've got away with it, but what if a car had been coming the other way, what if I went through that hedge......Oddly, I had been thinking this throughout the slip, as if it was happening in slow motion.
So the lesson learned is how fast is too fast in the ice? Well, perhaps less than 40 is better, but after walking back and seeing how slippery the road was underfoot (I was struggling to get grip with my feet) I wonder what could have been done.
It has never happened to me before in all my time of driving, but it makes you think. The ABS on the Lexus stopped me in the end, in the TVR it would have been different.
I'm sure driving heroes on here would have saved it. Not me, I'm just pleased I was able to drive on and attend the Sunday Service. be careful
I'd noticed the road was white with ice nearing Goodwood some time earlier, so my drive was at taken at 40/ 45mph not the 60+ I would usually do along here in the dry. Taking a right hander the road was glistening as I edged around it, noticing a Range Rover Sport coming the opposite way at a fair lick, 'he needs to be careful' I thought.
5 mins later I am entering a right hander, I think I was still at about 40/ 45, the sun was up and the road looked good. A tiny crest caused the Lexus to momentarily rise on the suspension and as it dropped the back went to the left, despite being on a constant throttle.
Now despite all of this happening in 10 seconds I had time to think. I was on full opposite lock with gentle throttle but I was a passenger at this stage and was looking at the looming hedge thinking 'I'm through that, wonder if the car will be OK?' and then all of a sudden I was facing the other way. At this stage I am making adjustments to the steering but I'm just along for the ride now.....
Luckily I was still on tarmac (a narrow B road) but now I was across both lanes going backwards. Now I'm thinking 'Is anything coming in the opposite direction' and 'I'm heading towards that ditch'. On the brakes now and I manage to stop with the rear wheels on the grass, but I have avoided dropping into the ditch.
Rolling forwards I realise the steering is heavy and I suspect breakage somewhere, but fortunately it has just stalled. Into N on the auto and restart, all seems to be OK and not another car in sight.
Back onto the road I pull over and collect my thoughts. I've got away with it, but what if a car had been coming the other way, what if I went through that hedge......Oddly, I had been thinking this throughout the slip, as if it was happening in slow motion.
So the lesson learned is how fast is too fast in the ice? Well, perhaps less than 40 is better, but after walking back and seeing how slippery the road was underfoot (I was struggling to get grip with my feet) I wonder what could have been done.
It has never happened to me before in all my time of driving, but it makes you think. The ABS on the Lexus stopped me in the end, in the TVR it would have been different.
I'm sure driving heroes on here would have saved it. Not me, I'm just pleased I was able to drive on and attend the Sunday Service. be careful
The Crack Fox said:
Phew ! Glad this ended without accident. Don't be offended but sometimes a little 'moment' like this does you good in the long run, reminds you to take care.
No offence taken! You are quite right. Although I thought I was being careful, and slower than most, it wasn't enough.
Plenty of cars in hedges yesterday. A few looked to be PHers on the way to/ from the PHSS. Hoe everyone is OK.
TooLateForAName said:
I always thought PZeros were rubbish in the cold. I had them on a 911 and all through the winter I had varying amounts of slide on the first couple of corners out of the village.
Interesting. I am not finding them too clever, even when accelerating from junctions with any sort of throttle. I'm no hand, but I've driven plenty of cars in all sorts of conditions and these seems extra slippy (although I take full responsibility for the spin yesterday).
Not cheap to buy either.
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.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff