Zero grip in the wet

[MikeO996]

I had a day at Brands Hatch yesterday, annoyingly, given the decent weather either side, it was damp to wet all day.
I was just about the slowest thing out there; wheel spin in a straight line, locking up under braking, over steer in the tight corners, under steer in the fast, all in a gear higher than usual and at pitifully low speeds.

I know Caterhams are going to be skittish but this seemed ridiculous. I'm running Avon CR500s, partly worn, I'm wondering whether it is significant that they're about 7 years old, has the compound just gone off? Anything else about set up that might be wrong, it handles beautifully on a warm dry day?

Edited by MikeO996 on Tuesday 9th October 19:05

Edited by MikeO996 on Tuesday 9th October 19:06

[MikeO996]

Cock Womble 7 said:

I?

Must have pressed submit by accident

[MikeO996]

pipnjones said:

Or maybe try changing I to we? Were there other sevens having similar probs?

There was only one other 7 and they gave up at lunchtime after just a couple runs, but it was properly raining then.

[MikeO996]

Mmm lots of advice. I'm thinking new tyres needed just from the range of types of slip I was having.
The videos interesting, you're a lot more confident with oversteer than me, but you're also clearly getting a lot more drive and retardation, it looks like mainly power oversteer out of the corners..

[MikeO996]

alexmacca said:

So there might be some cheap tyres going, I know some of my competitors bought a new set just 3 weeks ago!

I (and I'm sure others) would be interested if any were coming up

[MikeO996]

Just been having a close look at my tyres. I exaggerated, if I'm reading the sidewalls correctly they're 4 years old (still plenty old enough) and the rears are down to the wear indicators in the centre of the tread. Time for some new tyres.

Had a quick search on the web, can't see any 205/55/13 s on the Caterham site, or on Avon, or Kuhmo, I wonder if this may be a problem? Still hopefully have the winter to sort it out, although fancy at least one more trackdays ( or evo triangle blat was last night's inspiration!)

[MikeO996]

petery said:

you need these for the rear http://www.caterhamparts.co.uk/product.php?id_prod...

and these for the front http://www.caterhamparts.co.uk/product.php?id_prod...

Thanks, don't know why I missed those.