Oops what the heck happened here?
Discussion
This very nearly happened to me yesterday.
Damp, greasy road, I'm waiting for a chance to overtake a line of 3 cyclists. My chance arrives, so I feed the power in (2nd gear) and move out.
As soon as I heard the revs rise too quickly I started easing off the throttle, but still the back end broke away to my right. Then the car just snapped itself straight again, although I was now pointing slightly inwards back towards the cyclists.
What I didn't do, largely because my reactions aren't that fast, was to put any steering lock in - no "dab of oppo". I wonder if this is what the driver above did wrong - did he react too quickly and use a slightly excessive "dab of oppo" which caused the car to veer the other way when it snapped itself back? In my experience of this car, it always seems to snap straight if all you do is ease off the gas. I think there's an advantage to being slow-witted like me.
I'm not sure whose trousers were browner: mine, or the cyclists'. My wife went quiet too, until I nonchalantly struck up an unrelated conversation half a mile further on. I was fooling no-one, though.
Damp, greasy road, I'm waiting for a chance to overtake a line of 3 cyclists. My chance arrives, so I feed the power in (2nd gear) and move out.
As soon as I heard the revs rise too quickly I started easing off the throttle, but still the back end broke away to my right. Then the car just snapped itself straight again, although I was now pointing slightly inwards back towards the cyclists.
What I didn't do, largely because my reactions aren't that fast, was to put any steering lock in - no "dab of oppo". I wonder if this is what the driver above did wrong - did he react too quickly and use a slightly excessive "dab of oppo" which caused the car to veer the other way when it snapped itself back? In my experience of this car, it always seems to snap straight if all you do is ease off the gas. I think there's an advantage to being slow-witted like me.
I'm not sure whose trousers were browner: mine, or the cyclists'. My wife went quiet too, until I nonchalantly struck up an unrelated conversation half a mile further on. I was fooling no-one, though.
Dr Mike Oxgreen said:
This very nearly happened to me yesterday.
Damp, greasy road, I'm waiting for a chance to overtake a line of 3 cyclists. My chance arrives, so I feed the power in (2nd gear) and move out.
As soon as I heard the revs rise too quickly I started easing off the throttle, but still the back end broke away to my right. Then the car just snapped itself straight again, although I was now pointing slightly inwards back towards the cyclists.
What I didn't do, largely because my reactions aren't that fast, was to put any steering lock in - no "dab of oppo". I wonder if this is what the driver above did wrong - did he react too quickly and use a slightly excessive "dab of oppo" which caused the car to veer the other way when it snapped itself back? In my experience of this car, it always seems to snap straight if all you do is ease off the gas. I think there's an advantage to being slow-witted like me.
I'm not sure whose trousers were browner: mine, or the cyclists'. My wife went quiet too, until I nonchalantly struck up an unrelated conversation half a mile further on. I was fooling no-one, though.
Putting all the stick your chest out, who's the best driver stuff aside - that is genuinely, seriously worrying. Doesn't bare thinking about how that could have ended up!Damp, greasy road, I'm waiting for a chance to overtake a line of 3 cyclists. My chance arrives, so I feed the power in (2nd gear) and move out.
As soon as I heard the revs rise too quickly I started easing off the throttle, but still the back end broke away to my right. Then the car just snapped itself straight again, although I was now pointing slightly inwards back towards the cyclists.
What I didn't do, largely because my reactions aren't that fast, was to put any steering lock in - no "dab of oppo". I wonder if this is what the driver above did wrong - did he react too quickly and use a slightly excessive "dab of oppo" which caused the car to veer the other way when it snapped itself back? In my experience of this car, it always seems to snap straight if all you do is ease off the gas. I think there's an advantage to being slow-witted like me.
I'm not sure whose trousers were browner: mine, or the cyclists'. My wife went quiet too, until I nonchalantly struck up an unrelated conversation half a mile further on. I was fooling no-one, though.
Dr Mike Oxgreen said:
This very nearly happened to me yesterday.
Damp, greasy road, I'm waiting for a chance to overtake a line of 3 cyclists. My chance arrives, so I feed the power in (2nd gear) and move out.
As soon as I heard the revs rise too quickly I started easing off the throttle, but still the back end broke away to my right. Then the car just snapped itself straight again, although I was now pointing slightly inwards back towards the cyclists.
What I didn't do, largely because my reactions aren't that fast, was to put any steering lock in - no "dab of oppo". I wonder if this is what the driver above did wrong - did he react too quickly and use a slightly excessive "dab of oppo" which caused the car to veer the other way when it snapped itself back? In my experience of this car, it always seems to snap straight if all you do is ease off the gas. I think there's an advantage to being slow-witted like me.
Lifting off the gas is usually the first step to loosing the car, keeping the throttle on is in most circumstances, the better option.Damp, greasy road, I'm waiting for a chance to overtake a line of 3 cyclists. My chance arrives, so I feed the power in (2nd gear) and move out.
As soon as I heard the revs rise too quickly I started easing off the throttle, but still the back end broke away to my right. Then the car just snapped itself straight again, although I was now pointing slightly inwards back towards the cyclists.
What I didn't do, largely because my reactions aren't that fast, was to put any steering lock in - no "dab of oppo". I wonder if this is what the driver above did wrong - did he react too quickly and use a slightly excessive "dab of oppo" which caused the car to veer the other way when it snapped itself back? In my experience of this car, it always seems to snap straight if all you do is ease off the gas. I think there's an advantage to being slow-witted like me.
5.0ltr said:
Lifting off the gas is usually the first step to loosing the car, keeping the throttle on is in most circumstances, the better option.
How wrong can you be.I am sure given your skill that you could manage the rear braking away but in my experience most TVR drivers are just ordinary blokes who like a fun drive.
When it all starts going out of shape the last thing on their mind would be "keep the throttle on". That would see more tivs at Steve Strange then there are now.
Edited by phazed on Sunday 7th December 20:24
phazed said:
How wrong can you be.
I am sure given your skill that you could manage the rear braking away but in my experience most TVR drivers are just ordinary blokes who like a fun drive.
When it all starts going out of shape the last thing on their mind would be "keep the throttle on". That would see more tivs at Steve Strange then there are now.
Just trying to help.I am sure given your skill that you could manage the rear braking away but in my experience most TVR drivers are just ordinary blokes who like a fun drive.
When it all starts going out of shape the last thing on their mind would be "keep the throttle on". That would see more tivs at Steve Strange then there are now.
Edited by phazed on Sunday 7th December 20:24
5.0ltr said:
phazed said:
How wrong can you be.
I am sure given your skill that you could manage the rear braking away but in my experience most TVR drivers are just ordinary blokes who like a fun drive.
When it all starts going out of shape the last thing on their mind would be "keep the throttle on". That would see more tivs at Steve Strange then there are now.
Just trying to help.I am sure given your skill that you could manage the rear braking away but in my experience most TVR drivers are just ordinary blokes who like a fun drive.
When it all starts going out of shape the last thing on their mind would be "keep the throttle on". That would see more tivs at Steve Strange then there are now.
Edited by phazed on Sunday 7th December 20:24
5.0ltr said:
Lifting off the gas is usually the first step to loosing the car, keeping the throttle on is in most circumstances, the better option.
This is similar to the advice of what to do with a snaking trailer when towing
.... Apply throttle and pull out of it....Generally what happens is that you crash at a higher speed than you would have done if you'd lifted off instead
Quinny said:
This is similar to the advice of what to do with a snaking trailer when towing.... Apply throttle and pull out of it....
Generally what happens is that you crash at a higher speed than you would have done if you'd lifted off instead
God knows what the advise would be to a driver towing a caravan with a tiv and in the rain!!! .... Apply throttle and pull out of it....Generally what happens is that you crash at a higher speed than you would have done if you'd lifted off instead
Quinny said:
This is similar to the advice of what to do with a snaking trailer when towing.... Apply throttle and pull out of it....
Generally what happens is that you crash at a higher speed than you would have done if you'd lifted off instead
OK I withdraw, I obviously have not a clue of that I speak of. .... Apply throttle and pull out of it....Generally what happens is that you crash at a higher speed than you would have done if you'd lifted off instead
Among other exotica i've had 5 TVR' now and had 3 moments similiar to this.i drive in all weather and have driven alot in the snow and ice with a TVR.one was gravel induced the other two similiar to the discussed and i'm afraid to admit that in all situations i've backed off the throttle and the car has straightened up and pulled a little to the right with a little opposite lock straightening the car up.when we did the Top Gear live show,all our demos were done on ice and snow with no mishap or bad behavoiur from the cars.I would be the first to admit i'm an average but sensitive to a cars behaviour driver
5.0ltr said:
OK I withdraw, I obviously have not a clue of that I speak of.
I wasn't having a dig........ From my own experience, I've found its ok to lose traction, when YOU provoke it, and you sort of expect what's going to happen....
The problems seem to occur, when traction is lost, and you didn't expect it..... Then it seems it can go wrong very very quickly..... I also think that each car will react differently, be it down to tyres, diff wear and tear suspension set up, and driver input or lack of input....
In other words it's easy to look from the outside, and say the driver should have done this or that.... But it's a totally different story when it happens to you or I...
Here endeth the lesson...
What's the reason discussions such as this don't prompt mention of traction control? Cost? Availability or lack of? Not what a TVR is supposed to to be about? I do the best I can when out in our car but i'm not delusional and certainly couldn't out-react Lewis Hamilton. Just curious as to why it doesn't get much mention on here, then again it needs a specific ecu so perhaps cost is the deciding factor?
Quinny said:
From my own experience, I've found its ok to lose traction, when YOU provoke it, and you sort of expect what's going to happen....
The problems seem to occur, when traction is lost, and you didn't expect it..... Then it seems it can go wrong very very quickly..... I also think that each car will react differently, be it down to tyres, diff wear and tear suspension set up, and driver input or lack of input....
In other words it's easy to look from the outside, and say the driver should have done this or that.... But it's a totally different story when it happens to you or I...
Here endeth the lesson...
Quinny makes a very good point here,my current TVR is on aftermarket shocks,set up to my weight and properly geo'd with bigger AP Brakes fitted.Tyres are dumped at half life.The problems seem to occur, when traction is lost, and you didn't expect it..... Then it seems it can go wrong very very quickly..... I also think that each car will react differently, be it down to tyres, diff wear and tear suspension set up, and driver input or lack of input....
In other words it's easy to look from the outside, and say the driver should have done this or that.... But it's a totally different story when it happens to you or I...
Here endeth the lesson...
Edited by BarnFind on Monday 8th December 15:01
5.0ltr said:
Quinny said:
This is similar to the advice of what to do with a snaking trailer when towing.... Apply throttle and pull out of it....
Generally what happens is that you crash at a higher speed than you would have done if you'd lifted off instead
OK I withdraw, I obviously have not a clue of that I speak of. .... Apply throttle and pull out of it....Generally what happens is that you crash at a higher speed than you would have done if you'd lifted off instead
I think he may know a thing or two....'I do this', 'you should do that', suspension, tyres, set-up, x,y and z 
In all honesty most people s
t 'emselves [me included] and brace for impact. Bob [5.0ltr] of course does know what he is talking about. They go so quickly.
And heye, hey, hey, let's be careful out there. [hill st blues]
In all honesty most people s
t 'emselves [me included] and brace for impact. Bob [5.0ltr] of course does know what he is talking about. They go so quickly.And heye, hey, hey, let's be careful out there. [hill st blues]
Edited by macdeb on Monday 8th December 15:10
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