Take it easy out there TVRsters
Discussion
Powerful RWD and slippery wet roads don't get on. Please don't try to be clever in this weather. I really don't want to see any TVRs ending up like this - esp. since most dont have rollcages/hoops. The handling on an S2000 is not that different to your average TVR ...
Borrowed links from the TT forum:
www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=251933&st=0 (pics in first post)
www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=251200&st=0 (pics about half way down page 1)
www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=250378&st=0 (pics half way page 3)
Borrowed links from the TT forum:
www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=251933&st=0 (pics in first post)
www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=251200&st=0 (pics about half way down page 1)
www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=250378&st=0 (pics half way page 3)
Always sensible advice.
Mind you. The first one (direct head-on impact - closing speed about 70mph): If you are going to crash a TVR, that's the way to do it, although backwards might be slightly better. The bodywork will take a lot of energy out of the impact.
The second one:
! If there's anyone driving a TVR out there that would try to correct a tail-out moment by adding more lock, might I suggest that you take some driving instruction ASAP. Otherwise you will have a nasty accident at some point.
The third one: you may have a point
.
Mind you. The first one (direct head-on impact - closing speed about 70mph): If you are going to crash a TVR, that's the way to do it, although backwards might be slightly better. The bodywork will take a lot of energy out of the impact.
The second one:
! If there's anyone driving a TVR out there that would try to correct a tail-out moment by adding more lock, might I suggest that you take some driving instruction ASAP. Otherwise you will have a nasty accident at some point. The third one: you may have a point
.I thought this thread was going to be about the Honda S2000 I saw trashed this morning between Taplow and Beaconsfield but obviously not. I do wonder about some drivers though, it was clear and bright this morning but bloody damp and greasy on the country lanes. Just past a 15 deg right turn on a NSL stretch of country lane I came across him, wrong way round, bodywork trashed all down the drivers side with mud and leaves everywhere and one very embarrassed looking 25 yr old pleading for help on his mobile phone. Fortunately the plonker hadn’t taken anyone else out, so hopefully he'll think a little more about road conditions in future when he goes ragging it on his way to work. 
Rich...
Rich...Had an S2000 for a while. Every winter there were the threads advising people to take it careful, and the corresponding threads of "I've just crashed the car".
Not seen so many on here but definitely good to have a reminder.
Personally I think that the S2000 tends to be many people's first experience of RWD with no TC. It certainly was mine. Span mine on a roundabout at 10 mph. Valuable lesson that one. Other people aren't so lucky. Its usually a case of too much speed (power is less of an issue in the S2K as it comes in much higher up the rev range, plus there is a lot less torque) for the conditions and something unexpected happening.
Definitely a case of SLOW DOWN IN THE WET! And as I've already said, learn the lesson, preferably at somebody elses expense and not at the expense of your pride and joy.
Now, having said all of that if I crash mine I'm going to feel sooooo stupid...
Rob
Not seen so many on here but definitely good to have a reminder.
Personally I think that the S2000 tends to be many people's first experience of RWD with no TC. It certainly was mine. Span mine on a roundabout at 10 mph. Valuable lesson that one. Other people aren't so lucky. Its usually a case of too much speed (power is less of an issue in the S2K as it comes in much higher up the rev range, plus there is a lot less torque) for the conditions and something unexpected happening.
Definitely a case of SLOW DOWN IN THE WET! And as I've already said, learn the lesson, preferably at somebody elses expense and not at the expense of your pride and joy.
Now, having said all of that if I crash mine I'm going to feel sooooo stupid...
Rob
The sole reason most people spin a car (no matter what speed they are doing) is because they push the throttle down too hard, too quickly. It's a trait of driving an underpowered front wheel drive car normally needed to get it going quickly.
Saying you spin at low speeds has nothing to do with the speed you are going but the sudden increase in throttle causing the tyres to lose grip. I know because I did it in my first rear wheel drive car.
The bottom line is though, if you drive at normal road speeds no matter how much power under your right foot you will never spin in dry or wet conditions if you use progressive throttle control (Icy conditions are a different situation though) and the tyres are in good condition too.
This also applies to coming off the throttle progressively in difficult conditions and applying the brakes in the same manner.
>> Edited by FourWheelDrift on Monday 29th November 15:06
Saying you spin at low speeds has nothing to do with the speed you are going but the sudden increase in throttle causing the tyres to lose grip. I know because I did it in my first rear wheel drive car.
The bottom line is though, if you drive at normal road speeds no matter how much power under your right foot you will never spin in dry or wet conditions if you use progressive throttle control (Icy conditions are a different situation though) and the tyres are in good condition too.
This also applies to coming off the throttle progressively in difficult conditions and applying the brakes in the same manner.
>> Edited by FourWheelDrift on Monday 29th November 15:06
Glad you put that last bit in. I'd say there are 2 causes, 1 is too much right foot for the conditions. Like you this was my first spin in the S2K. The second is the exact opposite, lifting off and/or applying the brakes in a panic situation. Rear goes light and spits you into a hedge. Or oncoming traffic. The cause of both is inappropriate driving for the conditions.
Remember, if its wet, treat it with respect. That doesn't just include driving
Rob
Remember, if its wet, treat it with respect. That doesn't just include driving
Rob
FourWheelDrift said:
The sole reason most people spin a car (no matter what speed they are doing) is because they push the throttle down too hard, too quickly. It's a trait of driving an underpowered front wheel drive car normally needed to get it going quickly.
Saying you spin at low speeds has nothing to do with the speed you are going but the sudden increase in throttle causing the tyres to lose grip. I know because I did it in my first rear wheel drive car.
Totally agree! Nearly had a very nasty moment on Sunday doing exactly this after going from the wife's car to the cerb in a short space of time...
Not going that fast at the time, just gave it too much welly and lost the back end momentarily. This is my first RWD and was aware of the handling traits, just goes to show it only takes a moments lapse...
Luckily no harm done and lesson learnt!
Definitely going to book that Ride/Drive course now!
Revvin' up your engine
Listen to her howlin' roar
Metal under tension
Beggin' you to touch and go
Highway to the Danger Zone
Ride into the Danger Zone
Headin' into twilight
Spreadin' out her wings tonight
She got you jumpin' off the track
And shovin' into overdrive
Highway to the Danger Zone
I'll take you
Right into the Danger Zone
You'll never say hello to you
Until you get it on the red line overload
You'll never know what you can do
Until you get it up as high as you can go
Out along the edges
Always where I burn to be
The further on the edge
The hotter the intensity
Highway to the Danger Zone
Gonna take you
Right into the Danger Zone
Highway to the Danger Zone
Listen to her howlin' roar
Metal under tension
Beggin' you to touch and go
Highway to the Danger Zone
Ride into the Danger Zone
Headin' into twilight
Spreadin' out her wings tonight
She got you jumpin' off the track
And shovin' into overdrive
Highway to the Danger Zone
I'll take you
Right into the Danger Zone
You'll never say hello to you
Until you get it on the red line overload
You'll never know what you can do
Until you get it up as high as you can go
Out along the edges
Always where I burn to be
The further on the edge
The hotter the intensity
Highway to the Danger Zone
Gonna take you
Right into the Danger Zone
Highway to the Danger Zone
chimhunter said:I was just wondering about this, would yoy say the "boost" when the VTEC comes cam comes on is what causes this perhaps, as the driver could be accelerating progressively in a low gear, but as the VTEC spike on an S2000 is so agressive (on the lower powered CTR it feels like a big turbo kicking in) the tyres spin up and loosen themselves
Personally I think that the S2000 tends to be many people's first experience of RWD with no TC. It certainly was mine. Span mine on a roundabout at 10 mph.
Par hasard I was chatting S2000's with our Marketing Dir in Tokyo last week. He wrote:
"As for my S2000, as much I liked its 9000 rpm redline (and how the engine almost wanted to be kept between 6 and 9 grand), it scared the living daylights out of me on one turn when its rear suddenly and dramatically broke loose. I had to use every bit of driving skill that I picked up at Bob Bondurant to pull myself out of the spin that I encountered. To make a long story short, soon afterward the S2000 transformed itself into a 996 Carrera--a super fast, cheapo interior of a car with predictable handling and brakes from heaven."
Edited to add his first para:
"When I saw how your file was named, I knew that it wasn't one of Italian wine. So a TVR; I did not know. Must say that you're beyond hard-core to drive a wild beast like that."
>> Edited by Avalanche on Tuesday 30th November 16:50
"As for my S2000, as much I liked its 9000 rpm redline (and how the engine almost wanted to be kept between 6 and 9 grand), it scared the living daylights out of me on one turn when its rear suddenly and dramatically broke loose. I had to use every bit of driving skill that I picked up at Bob Bondurant to pull myself out of the spin that I encountered. To make a long story short, soon afterward the S2000 transformed itself into a 996 Carrera--a super fast, cheapo interior of a car with predictable handling and brakes from heaven."
Edited to add his first para:
"When I saw how your file was named, I knew that it wasn't one of Italian wine. So a TVR; I did not know. Must say that you're beyond hard-core to drive a wild beast like that."
>> Edited by Avalanche on Tuesday 30th November 16:50
FourWheelDrift said:
The sole reason most people spin a car (no matter what speed they are doing) is because they push the throttle down too hard, too quickly. It's a trait of driving an underpowered front wheel drive car normally needed to get it going quickly.
No so sure about that one chap? I've spun a FWD car by entering a corner a touch too fast and experiencing lift off oversteer (it was a 205GTi, so cut me some slack
). In fact I'd say it would be just as easy to lose my NSX off the throttle as on.trackdemon said:
The sole reason most people spin a car (no matter what speed they are doing) is because they push the throttle down too hard, too quickly. It's a trait of driving an underpowered front wheel drive car normally needed to get it going quickly.
No so sure about that one chap? I've spun a FWD car by entering a corner a touch too fast and experiencing lift off oversteer (it was a 205GTi, so cut me some slack
Ah but you say you were entering too fast already, I was on about speeding up and using too much throttle too quickly, like when exiting a roundabout.
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