minho78

Rich I'm not arguing at all, and let me tell I learn new things everyday and respect what other people say. Actually I was trying to get a reaction from that comment, sorry if someone took it the wrong way.

ninefiveone

Well, it will be spring/summer before you can go so you'll have time save up.

Instructors generally don't pay so it's been awhile since I've kept up with pricing. Last I checked many a moon ago, PCA was ~$300 a weekend, groups like PDA and Chin Motorsports were like $500?

Well worth it.

Chris White

its not that you are bad - but its that you could be better!

We all could be better....except Schumacher on a good day, it dosen't get much better than that!

cas951

What you just described happened to me 8 years ago and this is the outcome. I was coasting to a red light and there was a car in front of me and the lane on the right was clear. As I was coasting to a stop the light turned green so I moved over to the right and decided to floor it. As I floored it and a little turbo lag later the right rear wheel was on a damp spot on the road and lost traction as boost was kicking in. I made correction to compensate but I ended up loosing control. As I lost control a stupid tree decided to get in front of me.

This is the result.

The sad thing is I've owned this car since 1993 and this is the only digital pictures I have of the car. Digital Camera's was jujst coming out at that time this accident happened.

TurboTommy

If you're doing DEs and autocross in cold weather (I do, where I live, in the spring and fall) then yes, these events will help you with the different dynamics associated with tires vs cold pavement. I would argue, though, that a DE junkie from Phoenix wouldn't be any better of a driver than a mom taking her kids to hockey practice, in actual wintery conditions in the north.
But this thread is about driving in cold conditions (still dry and clean), which some of us are faced with, or even embrace. It has nothing to do with taking our cars out in the winter.

Chris White

Car control is car control - anybody with car control skills that have been honed at the track (hot or cold) will be able to handle themselves better than those without the skills - regardless of weather.

TurboTommy

Car control skills are coming into play way too late, if one didn't assess the road conditions ahead of time, which possibly would be the case with a track honed driver from the south that's not used to the unbelievable low traction of winter conditions. That's all I'm sayin'
Anyway, we're getting way off track here; pun intended

azbanks

To some extent it depends on the tire. My Michelin SP2's change character at around 80-85F. Above that, they grip fine, below that and they grip like an empty shopping cart. Here in Phoenix we do get below that in the winter so I do get to experience vehicle handling dynamics changes due to colder weather. Knowing how the car you are driving behaves in all weather conditions can be improved by doing some DE's in those weather conditions.

mikey_audiogeek

Only time I experienced the "loss of traction" unexpectedly was when my waterpump gave up the ghost (plastic impeller) and the boiling coolant ran out the overflow and under the left rear tire. Alerted me to the problem and saved my engine. I guess a power steer fluid overflow would do the same to the right rear?

Adonay

DE or not i am a 100% sure it wont mather in a unexpected situation. It boils down to this: If your cars lose traction it will happen with or without DE or Autcross experience. Maybe you can handle it better "sure". From what i have seen from people i know who use to track they are normally far to confident and not all of them are perfect drivers and without traffic "mistakes". The more confident you are the higher speed you are used to and the higher speed you think you can handle, a slight change like sand,water,oil etc may change that perception. I think the best is to play it safe drive more carefully when the weather changes to colder is far more efficient than any DE or Autocrossing can help you with. However i would recommend doing so anyways as its dead fun and you get to challenge the car like you normally don't. As well as you may have a better chance to handle your car if you had to high speed for the conditions and lost traction.

sebastian944

you don't need DE for that. you just need to read the road sign that says bridge slippery when wet. Don't floor it on a bridge in cold weather..

schip43

Bottom line is cold weather and Summer Tires don't mix. Ye been warned!

ninefiveone

Ah but they can in very fun ways... if you know what you're doing

Van

Absolutely.

jasonlp

Generally people who go to school end up being smarter then those who don't AND even if their not smarter they definitely know more

Incase minho78 doesn't know or it hasn't come up yet... DE = Drivers Education