Laguna Seca in the rain - any advice?
 

Hello - I am doing a time attack challenge in my BRZ Feb. 17 (tomorrow). I've watched the Speed Secrets and have driven the track in the dry 13 times in the last 3 years. Might anyone here have any wisdom to share?

I will be running -2.5 front -1.5 rear camber. Michelin 4S tires. I think I will simply start at standard tire pressures rather than drop the pressure. I expect quite a bit of rain (storm level 2!).

I will be curious where the water runs across the track.

Thanks for any help!

Keep your windows closed.

If you can, soften shocks and disconnect rear sway bar. Stay off the painted surfaces. Stay off the racing line as much as possible.

Agree on the shocks and bars, disagree about the need to drive offline, this early in the new pavement’s life.

The new surface is nearly equal on and off line in terms of cF (coefficient of friction). While that might have been good advice when the aggregate was very worn on line with the old pavement, not so with the new asphalt.

The paint has some added friction component, but I would stay off of it unless you’re thrust-positive.

Biggest issue is because of the extreme camber in some of the turns (T5, T6, T8A, T9 and T10) watch for streams across (exits of T6 and T9 catch a lot of people out) and more importantly, standing and pooling water.

Stay off of that and develop your ability to read the different coloring, shading and reflectivity of the water on the surface.

One thing Ross and I learned recording the V2 version for Laguna Seca with the new pavement a few weeks ago, even though between us we have forty-five years of combined experience there, is the contour, crowning and how much camber gain there is at the entry with subsequent camber loss as you track out. So leave a margin as you find your feet tracking out to exit.

The surface is much more consistent and grippy, especially in the wet. Have fun and add speed slowly.

Whelp - it was great fun! Less rain than I expected but rain on and off all day. I placed 5th out of 12. A few of the people faster than me got an early dry session in but it really doesn't matter. I was new to the car and weather. I had one close competitor in my sessions which made it even more fun.