Hooning in the wet - Why would you??
Discussion
Afternoon all!
I have something on my mind that I would like to discuss, so that I can gather opinions on why this means so much to some people.
I was reading a thread on here last night, where the OP was looking for a fun car for weekend use and occasional "daily" duties. Some of the suggestions were brilliant, among which was an Impreza STi, Evo 9, and an E46 M3. Almost immediately, the M3 was rejected by the OP (and 70% of the replys!) as he thought it would be too lairy to hoon with in the wet, and that the AWD suggestions would be better as there performance when pressing on in the wet is better.
Now this is where I get confused. I see a lot of people degrading certain cars (mostly powerful RWD's) for poor grip or handling in the wet when driving fast, and to me, it makes no sense! Why oh why, would you decide to drive fast in wet and/or greasy conditions when your on a public road??
For example, the weather here in Ireland has been dreadful the past couple of days, so naturally the roads are now very wet and slippy. Am I the only one that reads the conditions, and thinks "Blimey. Better take it easy!". Am I the only one that wishes not to make an error, and end up sliding my precious car sideways into a tree or another car? Let's not go into how much higher your braking distances and what not are in the wet...We all know about that!
Sure, I've enjoyed the occasional drift on a deserted island in the past, or even laying a snaky set of 11's down on the road as the turbo kicks in. I get all that. I just can't see myself hooning like I do in the dry, linking up corners carrying speed etc.
So tell thee o' mighty PH. Am I the only who decides to take it easy in the wet, or is it time for me to drop it down a cog and start to become the next McRae?
I have something on my mind that I would like to discuss, so that I can gather opinions on why this means so much to some people.
I was reading a thread on here last night, where the OP was looking for a fun car for weekend use and occasional "daily" duties. Some of the suggestions were brilliant, among which was an Impreza STi, Evo 9, and an E46 M3. Almost immediately, the M3 was rejected by the OP (and 70% of the replys!) as he thought it would be too lairy to hoon with in the wet, and that the AWD suggestions would be better as there performance when pressing on in the wet is better.
Now this is where I get confused. I see a lot of people degrading certain cars (mostly powerful RWD's) for poor grip or handling in the wet when driving fast, and to me, it makes no sense! Why oh why, would you decide to drive fast in wet and/or greasy conditions when your on a public road??
For example, the weather here in Ireland has been dreadful the past couple of days, so naturally the roads are now very wet and slippy. Am I the only one that reads the conditions, and thinks "Blimey. Better take it easy!". Am I the only one that wishes not to make an error, and end up sliding my precious car sideways into a tree or another car? Let's not go into how much higher your braking distances and what not are in the wet...We all know about that!
Sure, I've enjoyed the occasional drift on a deserted island in the past, or even laying a snaky set of 11's down on the road as the turbo kicks in. I get all that. I just can't see myself hooning like I do in the dry, linking up corners carrying speed etc.
So tell thee o' mighty PH. Am I the only who decides to take it easy in the wet, or is it time for me to drop it down a cog and start to become the next McRae?
I completely agree with this.
Also, RWD cars haven't been "lairy" in the wet for ages. The only one I've owned that was a bit twitchy was my E30, and it wasn't anything that couldn't easily be dealt with.
I think people are just too used to FWD cars and can't cope with a bit of a wiggle. If you bin your powerful RWD into a tree on a wet road on your own, you're an idiot, end of.
Also, RWD cars haven't been "lairy" in the wet for ages. The only one I've owned that was a bit twitchy was my E30, and it wasn't anything that couldn't easily be dealt with.
I think people are just too used to FWD cars and can't cope with a bit of a wiggle. If you bin your powerful RWD into a tree on a wet road on your own, you're an idiot, end of.
I love hooning in the wet, but you have to drive accordingly. the speed required to have as much fun is far lower. as for the new Mk3 VR6 I bought the other day it has 'sunny' rear tyres and they are exciting at any speed in the wet. f
king lethal in fact but thats another thread.
conman sense applys you don't hoon in the dry on the limit of your skills/grip so why would you in the rain?
VR
king lethal in fact but thats another thread. conman sense applys you don't hoon in the dry on the limit of your skills/grip so why would you in the rain?
VR
IMHO you can still be having a spirited drive in the wet whilst taking the conditions into account. You probably aren't going to be doing the sort of speeds you would in the dry in order to leave an appropriate level of margin but that doesn't mean it can't be fun.
It's also worth pointing out that "wet" encompasses a lot of different road conditions - when there is a lot of standing water etc you obviously need to be far more backed off then it just being mildly moist.
It's also worth pointing out that "wet" encompasses a lot of different road conditions - when there is a lot of standing water etc you obviously need to be far more backed off then it just being mildly moist.
frosted said:
I like how some people don't think twice about what they say. You don't live in the Sahara btw , just making sure you understand that, ok
Why would I think twice? Once I see that the roads are wet, my brain only needs half a second to decide that it's too dangerous and risky to drive fast in the wet.Granted we don't get too many dry days to enjoy a good hoon, but are you saying that if it was dry 24/7, you would drive fast all the time? I know I wouldn't...Would you?
You don't live in a dream world where your invincible "btw". You will realise that when an oak tree is trying to enter your passenger window.
I sometimes wonder if all the electronic driver aids like ESP, TCS etc. plus modern tyres, suspension etc have "softened" folk a bit. People are less used to feeling any sort of slip and have become more abstracted from what the car is actually doing around and underneath them.
I'm not saying people should hoon in the wet (I don't), but I wonder if they maybe view RWD cars as less preferable and/or capable than 4WD in less than perfect road conditions for the simple reason that they feel they're in trouble if the car even slightly breaks traction.
I'm not saying people should hoon in the wet (I don't), but I wonder if they maybe view RWD cars as less preferable and/or capable than 4WD in less than perfect road conditions for the simple reason that they feel they're in trouble if the car even slightly breaks traction.
I think what was said may have been min construed somewhat
Of course you can make progress in the wet, you just have to dial it back somewhat
The issue with the E46 M3 I believe is that it is pretty unuseable in the wet
I had an impreza at the same time as my mate had an E46 M3, in the dry it was 6 of one half a dozen of the other with him probably edging it overall
We went out in the wet one time and he kept disappearing from my rear view when we stopped for a fag he was saying the TC just kept jumping in the minute he tried to get any power down at all
Of course you can make progress in the wet, you just have to dial it back somewhat
The issue with the E46 M3 I believe is that it is pretty unuseable in the wet
I had an impreza at the same time as my mate had an E46 M3, in the dry it was 6 of one half a dozen of the other with him probably edging it overall
We went out in the wet one time and he kept disappearing from my rear view when we stopped for a fag he was saying the TC just kept jumping in the minute he tried to get any power down at all
Christ alive! What a bunch of tossers! No one's saying drive in the wet like you do in the dry, just drive accordingly. The road won't eat you. What about snow? Some of the best and most fun driving I've done has been in the snow, but I suppose you lot all stay inside and discuss winter tyres or something? 
deltashad said:
The MGF is running cheap chinese tyres. I enjoy kicking the tail out on occasions (much to her displeasure).
Hooning on public roads in the wet though... hmmm, I like my car to be straight, my health, and NCB.
This was where my question was mainly directed at - Why someone would do it on public roads.Hooning on public roads in the wet though... hmmm, I like my car to be straight, my health, and NCB.
I know why you would do it on a track or empty back road. That's fine. Hell, even I can't resist getting the arse end out when I'm on a wet field at the farmer market!
Edit: Any need for that language tuna? Bit harsh!
Edited by NateWM on Friday 8th June 15:48
I once mentioned on this forum I only ever used my Z4M in the dry and was laughed at. I don't see the point in hooning in the wet, can't take the roof down, the rear end slides all over the place, so I may as well take the daily runner. Better visibility and I don't care if it gets dirty!
NateWM said:
Afternoon all!
I have something on my mind that I would like to discuss, so that I can gather opinions on why this means so much to some people.
I was reading a thread on here last night, where the OP was looking for a fun car for weekend use and occasional "daily" duties. Some of the suggestions were brilliant, among which was an Impreza STi, Evo 9, and an E46 M3. Almost immediately, the M3 was rejected by the OP (and 70% of the replys!) as he thought it would be too lairy to hoon with in the wet, and that the AWD suggestions would be better as there performance when pressing on in the wet is better.
Now this is where I get confused. I see a lot of people degrading certain cars (mostly powerful RWD's) for poor grip or handling in the wet when driving fast, and to me, it makes no sense! Why oh why, would you decide to drive fast in wet and/or greasy conditions when your on a public road??
For example, the weather here in Ireland has been dreadful the past couple of days, so naturally the roads are now very wet and slippy. Am I the only one that reads the conditions, and thinks "Blimey. Better take it easy!". Am I the only one that wishes not to make an error, and end up sliding my precious car sideways into a tree or another car? Let's not go into how much higher your braking distances and what not are in the wet...We all know about that!
Sure, I've enjoyed the occasional drift on a deserted island in the past, or even laying a snaky set of 11's down on the road as the turbo kicks in. I get all that. I just can't see myself hooning like I do in the dry, linking up corners carrying speed etc.
So tell thee o' mighty PH. Am I the only who decides to take it easy in the wet, or is it time for me to drop it down a cog and start to become the next McRae?
I think it's more complex than this. Hooning either is or isn't safe at any time depending on your stand point. But deploying common sense it can be just as safe in the wet as it is in the dry.I have something on my mind that I would like to discuss, so that I can gather opinions on why this means so much to some people.
I was reading a thread on here last night, where the OP was looking for a fun car for weekend use and occasional "daily" duties. Some of the suggestions were brilliant, among which was an Impreza STi, Evo 9, and an E46 M3. Almost immediately, the M3 was rejected by the OP (and 70% of the replys!) as he thought it would be too lairy to hoon with in the wet, and that the AWD suggestions would be better as there performance when pressing on in the wet is better.
Now this is where I get confused. I see a lot of people degrading certain cars (mostly powerful RWD's) for poor grip or handling in the wet when driving fast, and to me, it makes no sense! Why oh why, would you decide to drive fast in wet and/or greasy conditions when your on a public road??
For example, the weather here in Ireland has been dreadful the past couple of days, so naturally the roads are now very wet and slippy. Am I the only one that reads the conditions, and thinks "Blimey. Better take it easy!". Am I the only one that wishes not to make an error, and end up sliding my precious car sideways into a tree or another car? Let's not go into how much higher your braking distances and what not are in the wet...We all know about that!
Sure, I've enjoyed the occasional drift on a deserted island in the past, or even laying a snaky set of 11's down on the road as the turbo kicks in. I get all that. I just can't see myself hooning like I do in the dry, linking up corners carrying speed etc.
So tell thee o' mighty PH. Am I the only who decides to take it easy in the wet, or is it time for me to drop it down a cog and start to become the next McRae?
So I see no reason why a wet road should completely halt any motoring fun you might have.
That said, certain powerful RWD cars can become somewhat more of a handful in the wet. For example my Camaro will light the rear wheels at 40mph in the wet, not something you want to do by accident or on narrow roads.
Pulling out of junctions or crossing roundabouts you also have to be far more careful when it's wet out. Under these conditions an AWD car, while not having any more cornering grip, certainly has more traction and will be more deployable on the whole.
My BMW is currently off the road, which means I'm now commuting in the TVR. Normally it aqua-planes if someone spills a teacup on the road, so it's particularly treacherous at the moment. Just trying to keep up with traffic I can feel the car squirming about.
However that doesn't mean it's not fun. Picking the way through detritus and avoiding puddles, whilst still making the occasional overtake is quite rewarding.
Completely different style of driving to the dry, so I probably couldn't call it hooning.
However that doesn't mean it's not fun. Picking the way through detritus and avoiding puddles, whilst still making the occasional overtake is quite rewarding.
Completely different style of driving to the dry, so I probably couldn't call it hooning.
NateWM said:
Why oh why, would you decide to drive fast in wet and/or greasy conditions when your on a public road??
What an odd question.When you hoon in the wet you get your kicks at lower speeds. Your car still handles identically to the way it does in the dry, just with lower grip thresholds. If you are unable to adapt your driving to allow for the lower grip, it's best you only hoon in the dry.
Why wouldn't you seems more appropriate. Just because there's less grip, doesn't mean you have to change your driving drastically. Whilst I appreciate a degree of sense must be applied, we now live in a world where sheer mechanical grip and intelligent electronics can provide a car with sufficient abilities to cover ground, in less than perfect conditions very well.
My next car will certainly be 4wd, purely on that basis. I think the way of understanding it is simply, why choose a rwd vehicle when you can choose a 4wd vehicle that will deliver access to enjoyable driving with potentially greater regularity, than something where the risk of losing control is higher.
It's not that they're running around near fire soaked in petrol, more that there's a way to increase the time spent hooning and why an earth would they choose something that decreases that time?
My next car will certainly be 4wd, purely on that basis. I think the way of understanding it is simply, why choose a rwd vehicle when you can choose a 4wd vehicle that will deliver access to enjoyable driving with potentially greater regularity, than something where the risk of losing control is higher.
It's not that they're running around near fire soaked in petrol, more that there's a way to increase the time spent hooning and why an earth would they choose something that decreases that time?
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