Race in the rain ???

[smoke]

It looks as if the Summit weeked will be a wet one.  I have only had my street bike in the rain twice.
This will be my second race weekend. So I don't know if I should back out or buy rain stuff. Considering my rookie skill level what should I do?

Race  or  Back out

[Dawn]

Buy rain tires, rain is fun....

(or at least that's what Paul says).

Dawn   ;D

[pitbtch#1]

Get u a set of rain tires.  Go out and have fun and take it easy till u get used to riding in the rain

Heath

[ecumike]

DUDE, race in the rain!

It's not as bad as you think.  Even on DOTs.
I've done it a couple weekends, and depending on the conditions, I've seen up to half the people not racing b/c of the wet... so you may benefit from it from both experience AND race results.

It's not 'that' bad.

Of course, unless you race in LWs.. then yea you shouldn't race. (1 less person to beat me :)  )

[ecumike]

Hell...  That's how, and the only way, I beat Davenport... TWICE... in the rain on DOTs at Roebling last time.

[KBOlsen]

Get a set of rains... go out and kick butt!

[rick]

Yeah, racing in the rain is a hoot!
I've never used rain tires before but, I hear they're pretty amazing. I've always mangaed on regular DOT's in the few rain races I've had the opportunity to participate in. Anyway, it's just like any other race only slippier. :)

[DanO966]

racing in the rain rules!!!!!!!!

I love the rain.

Just be smooth and do ONE thing at a time.
brake first then turn then get on the gas for example.

[Jeff]

Racing in the rain is hilarious!  It's pure and simple survival of the fittest.  You putt-putt around the track at 1/4 your normal speed, and it's like being on glass.

Smooth throttle control, and early braking points will help you.  Take my advice though, make SURE you are slowed WAAAAAY down before downshifting...  I failed to do this and slid from the start/finish line at BHF all the way to the weeds in turn 1.  (what is that, like 100 yards I'd guess...)

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

     I would say race in the rain also, it really is good experience, even though it may not be the most desirable situation. I haven't ever used rains before, only DOT's, but I also have heard that they kick butt! Keep in mind that you shouldn't use rains in dry conditions, so if you only have 1 set of wheels it would probably be better to use DOT's incase it rains only on and off and not enough to keep the track wet for all of your races. You may also want to soften up your suspension a bit for riding DOT's in the rain because you won't have as much corner load on the suspension. The stiffer suspension can cause your tires to lose traction in the rain by not letting the suspension compress easy enough to follow the road under the lower corner load (acting somewhat like not having suspension at all and sliding much easier). Just take it easy and don't make any sudden throttle/steering inputs.

     As stated before, racing in adverse weather conditions can definately give you an advantage in the points when others choose not to race. The experience will also help you when riding on tires that are getting slippery after alot of use.

[MELK-MAN]

i had a blast. bought a set of full rains trackside at a track day at Jennings and had a ball. the tires really do get hot! like said above, be smooth. I actually short shift just a bit and soften the suspension just a tad. Little less lean angle too (obviously)..

[r6_philly]

Race dude, race, just be careful and smoother in everything you do. It's not about going fast, but how to do everything you usually do without falling over.

Me and all my buddies are going to be there Wed - Sun, come by and say hi, we will help ya out if it rains. (and some of them are going to go out on DOT's)