Kuhmo tires on a wet track

[02192viper]

Was wondering how the kuhmo tires perform on a rainy day on the track. I’m assuming not well, but if anyone has first hand knowledge I would love to hear it.

[Arizona Vipers]

Was wondering how the kuhmo tires perform on a rainy day on the track. I’m assuming not well, but if anyone has first hand knowledge I would love to hear it.

I've done it, better than slicks, but not by much. What are you trying to do? Go fast? If the rain is coming down at the time of your session, don't go out. If it's not raining and the track is wet you'll be fine, you'll just be a few seconds off your normal time. I used to worry about rain, but it's extremely rare that the rain is coming down hard during your session. What zip code are you in and when is the event?

[02192viper]

Supposed to run Thunderhill in Northern Cal. On Thursday and Friday, 3 mile and 5 mile course. Like others I imagine, I’m always trying to beat my times, but obviously not if the track is wet. Only a few seconds off lap times? Wow, I would imagine it would be a lot more.

[Arizona Vipers]

Supposed to run Thunderhill in Northern Cal. On Thursday and Friday, 3 mile and 5 mile course. Like others I imagine, I’m always trying to beat my times, but obviously not if the track is wet. Only a few seconds off lap times? Wow, I would imagine it would be a lot more.

You'll be fine, keep the stability control on and just don't go out if it's raining down hard. A damp track won't slow you down much. My weather app shows 95% for both days, that sucks! I'd skip it just because rainy track days suck.

[02192viper]

Thanks AZ for the advice. I am leaning more towards skipping the event. I’ve been out once on a wet track and was more paranoid than anything.

[Arizona Vipers]

Thanks AZ for the advice. I am leaning more towards skipping the event. I’ve been out once on a wet track and was more paranoid than anything.

For me rainy track weekends just suck, you're always just trying to find shelter, it's cold, your wet, plus racing shoes sole is so thin your socks are soaked the whole weekend now matter how hard you try to avoid that lmao
I've run many sessions with rain pouring down on slicks though just to get my nasa points etc, that's the fun part LOL

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

You'll be fine, keep the stability control on ...... I'd skip it just because rainy track days suck.

HA HA...... Pac-NW 11.5 FEET of annual rain here in my county.

PS How old are your tires? How many drive-heat cycles? Age and Heat matter more than miles for wet traction.

[Arizona Vipers]

HA HA...... Pac-NW 11.5 FEET of annual rain here in my county.

hehe we get 9 INCHES a year here in Phoenix. I got lucky when I was there at the Ridge a few months back, forecast was 80% all weekend and we only got drizzles

[02192viper]

Tires are new, 20 date code on them. Forecast is even worse now. Sounds like not many track them on rainy days. Thanks for the responses AZ and Jon. I think I’m going with what AZ said “rainy track days suck.”

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

Two worthwhile rain-driving tips, street or track: Select ONE gear HIGHER than otherwise used in the dry.

ie Launch in 2nd, Short-shift, and choose 1 higher gear everywhere. Many/Most tracks, Vipers use 2, 3, 4 and maybe 5th. In the wet, be 1 gear above your "normal" selection for any given sector.

ROLLLLL on the throttle, dont Mash. Mash It = Smash It.

Be safe.....

[PkB2014]

Tires are new, 20 date code on them. Forecast is even worse now. Sounds like not many track them on rainy days. Thanks for the responses AZ and Jon. I think I’m going with what AZ said “rainy track days suck.”

I think that sounds reasonable. I've run through rain going to events in the Kumhos and it was super sketchy for me. And I ran a big National SCCA Autocross in the crazy rainy wet on Day 1 of a multiday event with brand new tires, and it was horrendous. 10/10 would not recommend as a driving experience, but it made for cool pics.

[13COBRA]

You're not going out for world record laps like Cable is. Rainy track days are a good way to get to know your car.

I'd go, even if it's just to get a few sessions in and feel where your car is.

[eckeph]

On a damp/wet track they are surprisingly good (after appropriate warm up)

I have not tried them on a soaking track with standing water though. I'm guessing that they will be at best sketchy.

[TKO MOTORSPORTS TEAM]

EEEEHHHH.... Kuhmos not good but not bad in the wet......disconnecting rear sway bar helps alot in the wet no matter what tire............If its biblical flood front and rear sway bar disconnect.