Went for a spin!!
Discussion
OK to start with, I'm fine and so is my girlfriend. The car has suffered damage that could be described as a mere flesh wound! I've got to consider myself as lucky. I was driving home from a glorious day out in Swanage yesterday and got a little bit enthusiastic with my driving. The car hit a bend at a speed I thought it could carry (Still do) but the back end started to slide out. I couldn't catch it and then panicked and braked. It felt as though it took forever to slow down and then the slide became a 180° spin, off the road backwards into a hedge. I'm so lucky, I barely brushed the hedge, missed a tree by about a foot!! and got covered in mud.
I'm sure it was not just my driving (Although some of it was) that caused it to go this dramatically and without warning and something else went wrong? Dirt/Diesel who knows. Another thing I am pretty sure is not helping the car's road holding are my tyres, they were brand new when I bought the car in December so didn't want to waste them but I've been frightened into looking in to getting the right ones fitted, seen a lot of advice on the forums already and believe this will make a difference.
I'm sure it was not just my driving (Although some of it was) that caused it to go this dramatically and without warning and something else went wrong? Dirt/Diesel who knows. Another thing I am pretty sure is not helping the car's road holding are my tyres, they were brand new when I bought the car in December so didn't want to waste them but I've been frightened into looking in to getting the right ones fitted, seen a lot of advice on the forums already and believe this will make a difference.
Sorry to read this, it could happen to any of us. Truth is though that it's all your fault as it was my fault when I spun in my daily driver on a damp roundabout probably due to diesel spillage. Certainly you need the right tyres and the right pressures (not necessarily book pressures as those were based on stiff sidewall tyres that are no longer produced).
Don't let it spoil your enjoyment, it comes with the territory
Don't let it spoil your enjoyment, it comes with the territory
Fit suitable tyres, (the best you can afford!) and you won't have a problem.
Rainsports, R1R's and similar top end tyres.
These cars with correctly set up suspension and good tyres will handle brilliantly.
I once compared a standard chim with mine back to back on country lanes, chalk and cheese.
The standard car had worn wallowy suspension and old tyres. No wonder it felt dangerous.
Rainsports, R1R's and similar top end tyres.
These cars with correctly set up suspension and good tyres will handle brilliantly.
I once compared a standard chim with mine back to back on country lanes, chalk and cheese.
The standard car had worn wallowy suspension and old tyres. No wonder it felt dangerous.
N7GTX said:
I had slippery issues on my original tyres even with 6mm tread.
Had this yesterday at the Lotus track day. My tyres still have at least 5mm tread all over them but "went off" quickly on the 3rd session, probably due to being pushed and the hot weather. However, it backs up the advice I have always seen being given on here that the age of the tyres is nearly as important as the wear on them. As pointed out by Phazed below buy top end tyres for these cars and have the suspension set up correctly and they are a very good drive.My new Yoko's are being fitted in two weeks so will be back to nice handling then
Badly aligned suspension can cause this.
Chimaeras are particularly sensitive to it.
My car felt like it was trying to kill me when I first had it, but now it handles beautifully...
Spend £100 having the car put on a Hunter machine for a four wheel alignment by a good TVR place, and your enjoyment of the car will increase out of all proportion. But you must go to someone who knows WTF he's doing, and has the proper computer kit.
Chimaeras are particularly sensitive to it.
My car felt like it was trying to kill me when I first had it, but now it handles beautifully...
Spend £100 having the car put on a Hunter machine for a four wheel alignment by a good TVR place, and your enjoyment of the car will increase out of all proportion. But you must go to someone who knows WTF he's doing, and has the proper computer kit.
Dunlops.
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Dunlop/SP-Sport-...
Toyo, (personal choice for a road tyre).
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Toyo/R1R.htm
It may have been something else but these tyres are superb on the road.
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Dunlop/SP-Sport-...
Toyo, (personal choice for a road tyre).
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Toyo/R1R.htm
It may have been something else but these tyres are superb on the road.
Those tyres will be pretty old. What is the date on them? Tyre compounds can go hard with age and this could have contributed to the effect when you braked.
If you are not used to powerful rwd cars, get yourself some instruction on a track. There are various places that do it. It will make you safer, more confident and quicker
If you are not used to powerful rwd cars, get yourself some instruction on a track. There are various places that do it. It will make you safer, more confident and quicker
Uniroyal Rainsport 3s - I have them on my Saab, and they are fantastic. Soft compound, so loads of grip, and awesome in the wet. Lasted 21,000 miles on the front (FWD car) and still 6mm on the rear after 27,000 miles.
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Uniroyal/Rainspo...
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Uniroyal/Rainspo...
Yex 450 said:
N7GTX said:
I had slippery issues on my original tyres even with 6mm tread.
Had this yesterday at the Lotus track day. My tyres still have at least 5mm tread all over them but "went off" quickly on the 3rd session, probably due to being pushed and the hot weather. However, it backs up the advice I have always seen being given on here that the age of the tyres is nearly as important as the wear on them. As pointed out by Phazed below buy top end tyres for these cars and have the suspension set up correctly and they are a very good drive.My new Yoko's are being fitted in two weeks so will be back to nice handling then
Jhonno said:
Yex 450 said:
N7GTX said:
I had slippery issues on my original tyres even with 6mm tread.
Had this yesterday at the Lotus track day. My tyres still have at least 5mm tread all over them but "went off" quickly on the 3rd session, probably due to being pushed and the hot weather. However, it backs up the advice I have always seen being given on here that the age of the tyres is nearly as important as the wear on them. As pointed out by Phazed below buy top end tyres for these cars and have the suspension set up correctly and they are a very good drive.My new Yoko's are being fitted in two weeks so will be back to nice handling then
Yex 450 said:
Jhonno said:
Yex 450 said:
N7GTX said:
I had slippery issues on my original tyres even with 6mm tread.
Had this yesterday at the Lotus track day. My tyres still have at least 5mm tread all over them but "went off" quickly on the 3rd session, probably due to being pushed and the hot weather. However, it backs up the advice I have always seen being given on here that the age of the tyres is nearly as important as the wear on them. As pointed out by Phazed below buy top end tyres for these cars and have the suspension set up correctly and they are a very good drive.My new Yoko's are being fitted in two weeks so will be back to nice handling then
Jhonno said:
Yex 450 said:
Jhonno said:
Yex 450 said:
N7GTX said:
I had slippery issues on my original tyres even with 6mm tread.
Had this yesterday at the Lotus track day. My tyres still have at least 5mm tread all over them but "went off" quickly on the 3rd session, probably due to being pushed and the hot weather. However, it backs up the advice I have always seen being given on here that the age of the tyres is nearly as important as the wear on them. As pointed out by Phazed below buy top end tyres for these cars and have the suspension set up correctly and they are a very good drive.My new Yoko's are being fitted in two weeks so will be back to nice handling then
Event have a good reputation but I will check the tyre wall when the van arrives.
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff