How to avoid losing control

[WardL]

You guys are way too nice! You are pointing fingers at the tires, suspension, power, etc. It seems to me the car spun out because the driver did not know what they were doing. I guarantee you when I spin out it's going to be because I did something wrong, not my Cobra. A Cobra is not the easiest to drive, and the driver has to know what he is doing to drive it fast. I may not know what I'm doing, but I know I don't know what I'm doing.

[Excaliber]

Most often it's to much throttle in a corner. I've been driving Cobra's for YEARS, I'm as careful as anybody out there.

So last summer, morning coffee run, not really paying enough attention, shifted into 2nd in the middle of a sweeping intersection turn and sure enough, got it sideways. Didn't spin it, but darn close. I wasn't even giving it much gas, just a little. I KNOW better than to shift IN a corner,,, whew, the second you quit paying attention these cars will bite you.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

Most often it's to much throttle in a corner. I've been driving Cobra's for YEARS, I'm as careful as anybody out there.

So last summer, morning coffee run, not really paying enough attention, shifted into 2nd in the middle of a sweeping intersection turn and sure enough, got it sideways. Didn't spin it, but darn close. I wasn't even giving it much gas, just a little. I KNOW better than to shift IN a corner,,, whew, the second you quit paying attention these cars will bite you.

Yes!!! It happens to me frequently. I used to slow down coasting going into a turn, then downshift to 2nd when I needed to pick up again, which would be part way through the turn itself. The rear end will break loose sometimes when doing this - it is very dependent on temperature and other road conditions (e.g., damp or sand). The Goodyear tires suck but don't like to stay on the road very well...

Now I keep on the throttle, brake through the turn and downshift when I'm going straight(er), and haven't had the rear break loose for a long time...

Another thing, though, is even on straight runs, with the right road conditions, it can also break loose. I had turned off a rural highway cross road onto the main highway (speed limit 60) and was trying to get up to speed quickly. On the shift from 2 to 3 the rear started to break. Again, cold tires on cold pavement. This was about 3 weeks ago...

Yes, it's not the Cobra's fault. It's always the driver not knowing the limits of the hardware... The thing is those limits can and do change dynamically.

This is one place where traction control would be nice.... Anyone done it?

A man's got to know his limitations.

[YerDugliness]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

Most often it's to much throttle in a corner....the second you quit paying attention these cars will bite you.

I found this out the hard way, going through a U-turn freeway underpass in Houston, TX one day and everything was good, then all of a sudden I wondered why everyone was going past me in the wrong direction and all the horns were honking.

It happens so quickly that you don't remember it....either that or it was an alien abduction and they put me back on the road backwards after they were done with their.......uh.........

I'm sure the "event horizon" occurs at a different place in each or our Cobras.....give it enough time and you'll learn to recognize the warning signs....getting quick enough on the draw to avoid the spinout is the tough part

Here's how it happens:

Experience and......patience, Grasshopper, patience!

Cheers from Dugly

[mdross1]

Practice, practice,and more practice.Staying with a particular setup you will get better with time knowing what to expect.Anticpating problems by reading the road ahead of you.

[digginfool]

Since so much of this topic has been about tires, what do you feel about the Goodyear Eagle F1 that comes on the BDR? Also, about the BDR's 2" longer wheelbase?

[Voyager]

Replace the tires! I’ve had SPF 2920 for 6 months. Any time I get on it, the BF Goodrich T/A radials spin. I’m trying to wear them out so I can get BB or Avons, but they won’t die, they just squeal.

Go to a local autox and discuss setup physics with the drivers. You won’t be able to duplicate their specific setup, but at least understand the cause and effect.

[mreid]

The reason you spun is that driver input to the car exceeded current car capability causing car input to driver to exceed current driver capability. Do as said above. The suggestions address both car and driver capability. Then if it happens again, at least you will know why.

[Hans-Olof Blom]

I have found myself going sideways a couple of times. I have done it at the same place; a straight road that is not flat. The rear tires break loose and the rear end will move to the right because the road is not flat. It happens really fast and with no warning.

I realized I needed to improve my driving skills and attended a racing school here in Sweden. After 2 incredibly fun days in a Radical I also got a racing license.

About one year ago I attended Bob Bondurant's Racing School for 4 days. It was 4 really tough days. The 2:nd day I was so tired that I had problems to get back to my motel. Sooo much to learn and you have to try to be concentrated the whole day. But it was also 4 really fun days.

Last summer I returned to the racing school here in Sweden. I wanted to see if I had improved during the 4 days at Bob Bondurant's Racing School. And I managed to cut my lap times quite a lot. I also managed to make a 360 degree turn but stayed on track.

Before I attended the racing school I found it hard to drive and at the same time keep an eye on everything like e.g. the gauges, especially the rpm. Driving a race car on a track means that it is so much more going on compared to driving a Cobra on the road. Today I feel much more relaxed and confident when I drive my Cobra.

To spinn is not bad as long as you stay on track and you know why. To be able to drive really fast you have to explore the limits. Both yours and the cars.

I can recommend attending a racing school. Bob Bondurant's is one but there are others. To ride with a skilled instructor that points out the difficulties and then will ride with you and give you feed back is invaluable.

One warning; driving a race car like e.g. a Radical on a track is highly addictive.

[Goopie 18]

Just this past weekend after leaving a car show in Southwest Florida (Port Charlotte/ Englewood area), A cobra driver spun out, jumped the curb and hit a bicycle rider. The driver was not hurt, but the bike rider was killed. Witnesses said driver "goosed" the gas a few times then lost control. Car smashed into a big utility box and bike rider was pinned under the car. Driver had to remain in the cobra until electical power to the box could be turned off. Tragic!

[bobcowan]

All of the above information is good. But insufficient. There are dozens of well written books on this subject; and probably the same number of poorly written books.

Performance driving is done mostly by feel. You can't learn it off the internet, from a book, or in a classroom. Those are good places to learn theories and functions. But you can't learn to drive there. Use the books to set up the car close to correct. Use the classroom to learn some techniques and theories. Then use the track and a qualified instructer to learn to drive. When you do it right, it feels right.

[RACER X #99]

Originally Posted by bobcowan

All of the above information is good. But insufficient. There are dozens of well written books on this subject; and probably the same number of poorly written books.

Performance driving is done mostly by feel. You can't learn it off the internet, from a book, or in a classroom. Those are good places to learn theories and functions. But you can't learn to drive there. Use the books to set up the car close to correct. Use the classroom to learn some techniques and theories. Then use the track and a qualified instructer to learn to drive. When you do it right, it feels right.

Finally, somebody with the correct answer to the OP's question.

Forget all those opinions about correct tires, race set up. Blah, Blah, Blah. You need seat time and instruction from a qualified instructor. Not a racer an instructor. Racers know how to race, instructors know how to teach.

[lovehamr]

Originally Posted by RACER X #99

Finally, somebody with the correct answer to the OP's question.

Forget all those opinions about correct tires, race set up. Blah, Blah, Blah. You need seat time and instruction from a qualified instructor. Not a racer an instructor. Racers know how to race, instructors know how to teach.

Yeah, no one before him said anything about instruction or prep.

[ItBites]

I usually say that I "ran out of talent right in the middle of the corner".

Learned that from a guy with a lot of experience. Liked it and use it too often now.

Get some experience with instruction.

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Originally Posted by ItBites

I usually say that I "ran out of talent right in the middle of the corner".

Learned that from a guy with a lot of experience. Liked it and use it too often now.

Get some experience with instruction.

I missed turn 2 at NPR raceway at over 110mph and went for a ride thru the field,didn't hurt anything,but kicked a nice cloud of dust and grass...When I came in a buddy asked what happened??? Told him I ran out of tires/brakes/asphalt and talent upon entering turn 2........In my defense, I was on old worn out tires,but still should have know better than to push them the way I was doing it.........
It happens..........

David

[PatBuckley]

The best way to avoid losing control is to slow down.

[CowtownCobra]

I spent 2 years on the road course at Motorsport Ranch in Cresson exploring the limits and handling of the car. I suggets a good driving school with a ride along instructor. And yes, do slow down and keep the right foot under control

[Excaliber]

Actually, I thought Pat summed it up very nicely.

The best way to avoid losing control is to slow down.

[badrich]

Another vote for autocrossing and the use of a good instructor. Reading doesn't hurt. Tires and brakes are still the most important components in a car. Learn the basics before trying to push the car too hard. If you find you're scaring yourself (and others) too often, slow down a little. You can have a lot of fun in these machines without being dangerous. Just my opinion. Rich

[Jerry Clayton]

A proper fitting seat