Ever been taken by surprise when not driving aggressively?
Discussion
Was driving out to the moor yesturday morning. I was making a point of driving really smoothly, and basically ecoing it, as i was running low on petrol. Just before i entered a roundabout i shifted from 5th at about 35mph to 4th, scrubbing speed to about an indicated 27 mph (pretty large roundabout).
Took a fairly tight line on the roundabout, so i could accelerate off it smoothly back up to 40, and then into a NSL. As i turned into to the roundabout i felt a little bit of understeer (my turd understeers everywhere, so it was nothing unusual), i let off what throttle was on. Before i knew it i was nearly on full opposite lock, going completely sideways!
Managed to hold the slide and exited the roundabout okay, i checked my rear view mirror and saw the guy in the scenic behind me clapping!
It did make my arse twitch little, just because i wasn't driving aggressively at all - makes you realise how easily grip can be lost!
(yes my pressures are good, and tyres have plenty of tread)
Took a fairly tight line on the roundabout, so i could accelerate off it smoothly back up to 40, and then into a NSL. As i turned into to the roundabout i felt a little bit of understeer (my turd understeers everywhere, so it was nothing unusual), i let off what throttle was on. Before i knew it i was nearly on full opposite lock, going completely sideways!
Managed to hold the slide and exited the roundabout okay, i checked my rear view mirror and saw the guy in the scenic behind me clapping!
It did make my arse twitch little, just because i wasn't driving aggressively at all - makes you realise how easily grip can be lost!
(yes my pressures are good, and tyres have plenty of tread)
A couple of months back I followed a newer model 5 series onto an island, in the wet, his was the 2.0d, mines a 2.8 petrol, same lines, same speed, he went around smoothly, I lit the dash up and had it break both ways before the asc got it back under control.
Either there was some crap, and I accelerated slightly harder, or his tyres were better than mine ...... or both !
Strange how somebody driving such a dire car should feel the need to clap you, but it takes all sorts I guess.
Either there was some crap, and I accelerated slightly harder, or his tyres were better than mine ...... or both !
Strange how somebody driving such a dire car should feel the need to clap you, but it takes all sorts I guess.
Had it the other night going through town, naturally dawdling. Was wet and greasy, so was going easy. The back end (also fwd!) stood out big style on a slightly sharp curve, just about managed to catch it. Saw some wide eyes from the cars waiting at the lights! 
"What was that?" said the missus, looking away from her phone.
"What was that?" said the missus, looking away from her phone.
I'd probably be applauding (genuinely!) if someone gave me an entertaining display of opposite lock; perhaps the OP happened to perform his impromptu drift in front of one the 1% of drivers who didn't immediately think that everyone in a 10 mile radius was about to die in a fireball . . .
Actually, if everyone could go a lot more sideways, it would make driving my boring Focus a lot more fun, a bit like watching Top Gear Live whilst driving to the shops!
Actually, if everyone could go a lot more sideways, it would make driving my boring Focus a lot more fun, a bit like watching Top Gear Live whilst driving to the shops!
aww999 said:
I'd probably be applauding (genuinely!) if someone gave me an entertaining display of opposite lock; perhaps the OP happened to perform his impromptu drift in front of one the 1% of drivers who didn't immediately think that everyone in a 10 mile radius was about to die in a fireball . . .
Actually, if everyone could go a lot more sideways, it would make driving my boring Focus a lot more fun, a bit like watching Top Gear Live whilst driving to the shops!
Haha i'd like to think so!Actually, if everyone could go a lot more sideways, it would make driving my boring Focus a lot more fun, a bit like watching Top Gear Live whilst driving to the shops!
I think if i hadn't experienced going sideways before, i would have put in a foot full of brake or not caught the slide quick enough and span. Couple of my mates have drift cars, and they share a rally slag (e30 325), which i had a good blast in a couple weeks ago on a wet field, pretty sure that aided my ability to know what to do.
Its reassuring to hear other people experiences!
orangesrule said:
Was driving out to the moor yesturday morning. I was making a point of driving really smoothly, and basically ecoing it, as i was running low on petrol. Just before i entered a roundabout i shifted from 5th at about 35mph to 4th, scrubbing speed to about an indicated 27 mph (pretty large roundabout).
Took a fairly tight line on the roundabout, so i could accelerate off it smoothly back up to 40, and then into a NSL. As i turned into to the roundabout i felt a little bit of understeer (my turd understeers everywhere, so it was nothing unusual), i let off what throttle was on. Before i knew it i was nearly on full opposite lock, going completely sideways!
Managed to hold the slide and exited the roundabout okay, i checked my rear view mirror and saw the guy in the scenic behind me clapping!
It did make my arse twitch little, just because i wasn't driving aggressively at all - makes you realise how easily grip can be lost!
(yes my pressures are good, and tyres have plenty of tread)
My view is that by just scrubbing off speed by knocking it down a gear you haven't put enough weight over the front of the car, which you normally would do by braking... If you're trying to drive smoothly do as you did but just tap the brakes for a second to shift the weight of the car over the front. Took a fairly tight line on the roundabout, so i could accelerate off it smoothly back up to 40, and then into a NSL. As i turned into to the roundabout i felt a little bit of understeer (my turd understeers everywhere, so it was nothing unusual), i let off what throttle was on. Before i knew it i was nearly on full opposite lock, going completely sideways!
Managed to hold the slide and exited the roundabout okay, i checked my rear view mirror and saw the guy in the scenic behind me clapping!
It did make my arse twitch little, just because i wasn't driving aggressively at all - makes you realise how easily grip can be lost!
(yes my pressures are good, and tyres have plenty of tread)
Years ago in a Sierra 4x4 which I seem to remember had a loose ball joint or track control arm or something. It was a bit frosty and I was driving to work with a mate, the road went down a dip, under a canal bridge and up the other side. Going up I gave it a bit of throttle and it was just like the steering had vanished, I remember putting full opposite lock and I doint know how my rear quarter missed the car coming the other way.
I immediately pulled onto the grass verge and my mate was full of congratulations on how I managed to hold it, until I said actually I think the steering rack may have fallen off. But no, a quick check of the car and all was fine.
So it was my lightning quick reactions after all.
I immediately pulled onto the grass verge and my mate was full of congratulations on how I managed to hold it, until I said actually I think the steering rack may have fallen off. But no, a quick check of the car and all was fine.
So it was my lightning quick reactions after all.
I was approaching a roudabout and had been passed by a newer Jag XK. He went out of sight and when I arrived at the roundabout, he had managed to enter it and then spun it was he was stationary in the roundabout facing me. I wish I could have seen how it happened. He probably gave it too much welly coming onto the roundabout and lost the back end.
Cruising home one day when I had my mx5 I ended up pointing backwards, millimetres from the kerb, after going around a corner I had been around many times before. It was slightly damp, but I suspect there may have been a diesel spillage. Luckily it was quiet, a three lane one way street so plenty of width, and no traffic coming the other way! I did get some funny looks from the drivers coming towards me while I gathered myself back together. 
The problem is, when you think you're taking it easy, you are not ready to react and catch thing.
The problem is, when you think you're taking it easy, you are not ready to react and catch thing.
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