Q: “Okay, you’re on a skid pad and you begin to under or oversteer at a certain speed, say 40 MPH. Now you’re in a big fast corner on a race track. Does it feel the same in the seat at 90 as it does at 40 when things start to get a bit unsettled? I’m asking because at a track like Big Willow I don’t like leaving speed on the table due to intimidation.”
A: The simple answer is “Yes, it feels the same.” But it’s not a completely simple situation because of what you mention – intimidation. The consequences of going off a skid pad at 40 MPH is not the same as going off Turn 9 at Willow Springs at 90. In terms of pure feel, and how you respond to it is exactly the same, though.
Having said that, how the car reacts at 90 MPH is, well… faster. In other words, at the point where the tires have reached their limit, and they begin to lose grip and slide more, everything happens quicker at 90 than at 40.
The other thing to think about is that the overall grip level of most skid pads that you’re going to experience at 40 MPH is not as high as what a high-speed corner on a race track has. The track has much more grip, so the g-loads will be higher in the middle of the corner. But the tires still build up grip as you increase the g-loads, and then taper off as you go over the top. The difference is only in the peak amount of grip.
The more experience you have on a skid pad, the more you will program the correct response to under or oversteer. So, when you have that on a high-speed corner, the more you can trust that you’ll do the right thing to control your car.
In my local area, there are plenty of track and autocross opportunities, but no (advertised) skid pad events. Maybe I’m missing something, but I wish skid pad time was more readily available. Through Speed Secrets education, I have come to learn the value of skid pads. I just which motorsports organizers would make them more available. I’ve yet to drive on one. Are they always connected with a school?
I believe there are more skid pads available than most drivers realize – you’re right about access to them not being advertised. The BMW Performance Center programs in South Carolina and at Thermal both have great skid pads. You may have to dig a bit to find out how to access them. I’ve not experienced the Porsche Driving Experience programs myself, but my understanding is that they use skid pad training. Thunderhill, Sonoma both have skid pads, and I think Willow Springs has an area that can be used. Summit Point and Lime Rock have skid areas, as does Sebring. I’m not sure how easy it is to get on the skid pad at Road Atlanta. So they’re out there – it might just take a bit of work to figure out how to get on them, and get some instruction. Oh, and I’ve also just used large parking lots with a water truck (it’s easy to find one to rent by the hour), as well as un-used airport runways.
Thanks for the reply, Ross. As I suspected, I’m not overlooking any “low-hanging-skid-pad-fruit” nearby in the Salt Lake area of Utah. Shucks. Maybe I’ll contact the local folks running the club I’m in and see if they can’t arrange to wet down part of the expansive paddock at our track and offer a skid-pad day. I know it could only help me, and likely others as well! Cheers!