Wheels and wet weather handling

[rahlea]

Back again.

The front wheels of my (recently purchased) Chimaera are kerb grunged.

Anyone know if you can get them repaired, breakers yards, or the cost new?

Cheers

P.S. I know that it is sacralige, but I took the car out last night in the pouring rain - I've only had the car a couple of weeks and I'm determined not to let this f***ing crap british weather spoil my enjoyent of the car!

Was totally amazed at the wet weather roadholding (70-80mph on twisty b roads) - will certainly up the pace next time I'm out in the dry but hard to see by how much. Can anyone emlighten me as to the difference between TVR traction in the wet and dry? What are the warning signs as I seem to be unable to find them despite having a very heavy right foot around corners......?

[MajorClanger]

quote:Back again.

The front wheels of my (recently purchased) Chimaera are kerb grunged.

Anyone know if you can get them repaired, breakers yards, or the cost new?

Cheers

P.S. I know that it is sacralige, but I took the car out last night in the pouring rain - I've only had the car a couple of weeks and I'm determined not to let this f***ing crap british weather spoil my enjoyent of the car!

Was totally amazed at the wet weather roadholding (70-80mph on twisty b roads) - will certainly up the pace next time I'm out in the dry but hard to see by how much. Can anyone emlighten me as to the difference between TVR traction in the wet and dry? What are the warning signs as I seem to be unable to find them despite having a very heavy right foot around corners......?

You can get your wheels refurbished (depending on how badly they've been kerb-side modified) by Leven Technology's Wheel Painting Service.

You might want to check back at some of the threads a few months ago on traction especially in the wet. There's not much of a warning!!!

MC

[Gerrard]

also see this previous thread
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=10877&f=13&h=0

[craigalsop]

quote:
Was totally amazed at the wet weather roadholding (70-80mph on twisty b roads) - will certainly up the pace next time I'm out in the dry but hard to see by how much. Can anyone enlighten me as to the difference between TVR traction in the wet and dry? What are the warning signs as I seem to be unable to find them despite having a very heavy right foot around corners......?

The traction is a lot better in the dry, but is excellent in the wet.
However make sure you have a good brand of tire, with a fair amount of tread left.
While traction is good, breakaway can be fast, so make sure all pedal actions are smooth. When it breaks away, let off a bit of power & correct with opposite lock - alternatively stand on the brakes, lock up the wheels & hope you don't hit something.
You really need to go on an airfield driving course or a trackday to get a feel for this sort of thing as it is easy to say, harder to do & not something that you want to get wrong on the road.

Avoid standing water if possible - they aquaplane like a b*gger & make sure you don't ingest lots of water into the air-filter (early Chimaeras apparently had the air intake/filter low down in the car's "mouth"). Not as much of a problem on later cars, where it is higher up in the "mouth", just under the bonnet.

Things are completely different in the winter rain, however - once the roads have been salted a couple of times, traction can be almost non-existent in the rain, so you'll have that to look forward to later on this year

cheers,
Craig

[rahlea]

Many thanks.

Craig - any recommendations for airfield driving courses (preferably in the south east)?

[adamb]

Contentious but if you've just joined the fold then Bendford on the TVR Day.

>> Edited by adamb on Thursday 13th June 09:05

[richb]

quote:Back again.
Was totally amazed at the wet weather roadholding (70-80mph on twisty b roads)

p.s. better let us know where these twisty B roads are - so we can keep out of the way next time it's raining! R...

[craigalsop]

quote:
Many thanks.
Craig - any recommendations for airfield driving courses (preferably in the south east)?

Hi rahlea,

dunno about south east, but if you wanted to drive to Scotland then 1st lotus do an airfield day at Crail (near St Andrews) for £80 in your own car (not just lotuses) Tel: [phone]
They also do one in Wales I believe.
That's probably further than you wanted to travel, so I guess you'd better get some recommendations from people down your way.

cheers,
CRaig

[Neil Menzies]

quote:

quote:
Many thanks.
Craig - any recommendations for airfield driving courses (preferably in the south east)?

Hi rahlea,

dunno about south east, but if you wanted to drive to Scotland then 1st lotus do an airfield day at Crail (near St Andrews) for £80 in your own car (not just lotuses) Tel: [phone]
They also do one in Wales I believe.
That's probably further than you wanted to travel, so I guess you'd better get some recommendations from people down your way.

cheers,
CRaig

Can recommend 1st Lotus and Crail - I was on the same course as Craig!

1st Lotus also do airfield days at North Weald, Essex
(think its just off the M11, just outside the M25).

www.1stlotus.co.uk

(No connection, just liked the product).

Neil

>> Edited by Neil Menzies on Thursday 13th June 11:18

[icb]

rahlea
have just done an airfield day with 1st Lotus in my 4.5
at North Weald, Essex. £105 for the day - excellent tuition and great fun.

[rahlea]

Many thanks all round.

Watch out for me on the b-roads in Essex!!!