Video: Incredible rain driving

[nikbj68]

I don`t know how long this will last before Formula One Management get it pulled, but check out 9 languages of commentary on that battle!

[David Kirkham]

The one that got me was when Massa was forced off the track, across the grass onto pit lane and he just kept grabbing gears. In that sequence he bumped tires, got forced across the grass and DOWN PIT LANE. Then, he darted across the grass again right before PIT WALL came up to greet him. He was up-shifting the whole time. Nothing like 150-180 mph??? on the GRASS!!!

I think I have watched it 20 times already today.

I am going to put a link to this video under Wikipedia under BIG CAJONES.

Man, I am NOT worthy.

David

[xracerbob]

I used to love wet races. There are a few tricks to it that at first seem insane but work really well- Since you really can't see you have to look to the side for reference points, brake markers, etc. to know where you are. Also you must listen to the guy in front of you- if he lifts, you better do the same or at least duck out from behind him so you can figure out whats going on. This gets harder if you are in a pack of 6+ cars because everyone is doing the same and nobody is predictable.

The biggest problem comes from the visor fogging up. Rain-x, anti fog, what ever only can do so much. I always cracked my visor some and put a little piece of tape onder it so it wouldn't close all the way. I also jammed some paper towels under one of my legs where it would stay dry so I could use it during the inevitable full course caution.

I've gone about 170 in a steady rain in the "dip" at the old Road Atlanta. That was very interesting.

[Excaliber]

Whoa, the skill level is beyond my comprehension.

[lineslinger]

Gawd!
Impressive, wish I had a clue about what that must feel like.

Thanks for the post David.

[brobehr]

F1 driving in the rain is just a whole new level of fearlessness.
No wipers and open-wheel , but very cool paddle shifter

brobehr

[double ugly]

Reminds me of a joke about a wrestler.....

A Russian wrestler and Boudreaux, a Coona$$ Wrestler from Thibideaux, Louisiana, were set to square off for the Olympic Gold Medal.
Before the final match, Boudreaux's trainer came up to him and said, " Now, don't forget all the research we've done on this Russian. He's never lost a match because of this 'Pretzel' hold he has. Whatever you do, don't let him get you in the hold! If he does, you're finished!
Boudreaux nodded in acknowledgement.
As the match started, Boudreaux and the Russian circled around each other several times, looking for an opening.
All of a sudden, the Russian lunged forward, grabbing Boudreaux and wrapping him up in the dreaded Pretzel hold. A sigh of disappointment arose from the crowd, and the trainer buried his face in his hands, for he knew all was lost. He just couldn't watch the inevitable happen.
Suddenly, there was blood curdling scream, then a cheer from the crowd. The trainer raised his eyes just in time to watch the Russian go flying up in the air.
His back hit the mat with a thud, and Boudreaux collapsed on top of him, making the pin and winning the match!
The trainer was astounded. When he finally got his wrestler alone, he asked, "Boudreaux, how did you ever get out of that hold!? No one has ever done that before!"

Boudreaux answered, "Well, I was ready to give up when he got me in that hold, but at the last moment, I opened my eyes and saw this pair of testicles right in front of my face. I had nothing to lose, so with my last ounce of strength, I stretched out my neck and bit those babies just as hard as I could."

"So," the trainer exclaimed, "That's what finished him off!"

"Well, not really," Boudreaux said. "You'd be amazed at how strong you get when you bite your own nuts!"
Probably similar pressure that the "high paid drivers" are under.....
John

[imagine2frolic]

double ugly, that was DOUBLE FUNNY!

[mjmacqua]

Guess Rubbin is racin in F1's too

[Trevor Legate]

We used to see that level of commitment way back when guys like Jo Siffert and Pedro Rodriguez were doing their stuff, to name but two drivers. It's now ultra-rare to see two F1 drivers go at it like that and therein lies F1's biggest problem. They proved they can race - now can we see more please? The answer is no, unless it rains (a lot) or they finally rip all that 'technology' off the so-called 'cars' and get back to Racing.

[Excaliber]

I noticed that the REAR end of the car stayed stable throughout these encounters. Some sideways drift, counter steering even the traction over the grass was amazing. I can't think of any other car that wouldn't immediatly swap ends on a slick surface when 'touched' at speed. They must have had maximum wing settings and really good rain tires (which doesn't explain LACK of an rpm flare up over the grass). Traction control?

Hey Jamo, rumor has it you dumped that solid roller cam cause Pat might not always be there when it's time to replace the dist gear,,, again.

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

Hey Jamo, rumor has it you dumped that solid roller cam cause Pat might not always be there when it's time to replace the dist gear,,, again.

Actually, quite true to a big degree.

[Madmiles442]

Tom, great video.
I love the frenchman, (in your best Monty Python French) "When I am driving I must pass all cars. My team or another, it does not matter. I must pass all cars."
Greatness!

[fordracer]

Two words, Ayrton Senna. He was king in the rain.

Watch this video of the opening lap of Donnington. He came from a fourth place start to first in less than one lap. Amazing!! He used to push his lead times racing in drizzle and light rain on slicks while all the others came in for intermediate or rain tires.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fVQFEFtFBCA

Just as a reference, watch this Senna video from his McLaren days:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbHGB3NNlsQ

[hey,littlecobra]

I do not have brass balls and could not do that.

so who won?? I kept watching for that blue/white car to sneak up.... which side this time?? left, right???

great ride off to the grass or down pitlane. wow!

let's do the bump!!

the video just ends. who won???

Kristen
ps. David K.- Gents and "Lady/ies"

[double ugly]

Speed220mph email sent.
John

[Excaliber]

I think the red one, apparently the last lap? Red car started slowing immediatly after what looked like the start/finish line.

[John McMahon]

What was it that Bon Scott and AC/DC boys used to sing?

We've got big balls
We've got big balls
We've got big balls
Dirty big balls
He's got big balls
She's got big balls
(But we've got the biggest balls of them all)

[STEPHEN BROHOLM]

Hi all.

Would you believe this was for sixth place!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Japanese_Grand_Prix

[Trevor Legate]

The Japanese Grand Prix was won by Lewis Hamilton. The scrap for sixth place was between Felipe Massa (Ferrari - red car) and Robert Kubica (BMW - white car). They both wanted the same piece of tarmac during the final few corners of the race...
It also demonstrates the almost ridiculous amount of traction control used on F1 cars today. Still great to drive flat out, but computers take over to a large extent. Also, they were running across astroturf - still slippery but nothing like as slippery as wet grass! The cars were using hard deep-grooved tyres which are hauled around the world to every Grand Prix but are never used - this was the first race anyone can recall them being needed. In fact, it was too wet to race as the cars were mostly aquaplaning for much of the lap. Many drivers were just happy to have survived, but TV revenue now takes precedence. However, the racers still race no matter how hard it rains!