I used to track my s2 Exige a lot but rain filled me with fear (ao48 or r888) as the car would snap with great ease and aquaplane on motorways, it had a full Geo so all was good. I switched to a Caterham which I was happy to paddle around in monsoons, after a roof and more comfort I now have a gt86 in which rain has no fear for me. I’m off to the track on Tuesday, no worries if it pours, just more fun.
However, I do miss the extra power of the Exige (I don’t miss the dreadful gearbox hiding gears at critical times). Gt86 is understeer city on ps5 tyres and much slower on track than the Exige (I would like another, my son now has my s1),
I never used sensible tyres on my Exige in the wet, have I built an irrational fear of Exiges in the wet? I think they are complete pussy cats in the dry.
Gt86 in the wet, before we cooked the std brake pads (stripes have been removed)
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I have AO52s on my exige and tbh they are fine in really wet conditions.
Was caught down in spa last year in a deluge and they were excellent
I have ao52’s and agree decent in the wet
Seconded/thirded for 52s.
That said I always think an Elise platform car will have an edginess in low grip conditions. Small wheelbase, mid engine, etc.
It’s the way the steering just becomes impossibly light when it’s slippery, I find it unnerving and takes a bit to drive through that and trust the grip.
Admittedly on road tyres, my Caterham is loads more predictable in the wet even if it’s ultimate grip levels are a fair bit down on my Lotuses over the years. Hopefully I haven’t just jinxed my next few days in Anglesey…
I was at Bedford today, very busy until the monsoon and then everyone went home. There was a guy there with a v6 Exige and it was going very well on 52s, standing water on parts of the track (deep), similar pace to my gt86 ps5s on corners but left me for dead on the straights, tad faster. Instructor told me he had some trick dampers which could be adjusted from inside the car!
