hydroplaning

[John Cassidy]

There's a factor here that I haven't seen anyone address:  tread depth!

I can bear witness to the fact that deeper tread = larger flow chanels =
more volume of fluid discharged, ergo higher speeds before hydroplaning.  

Case in point are the Yokohama AVS dbs currently on my 200 20V.  In the
first year on the set, I'd driven through plenty of deluges at highway
speeds with never an instance of hydroplaning.  The tires now have
approximately 30k on them, and the tread bars will be out after the next
beer run.  Last Sunday at about 65-70 mph I experience the most wicked 4
wheel hydroplane I've ever experienced (thankfully I'd just kicked off the
cc because of a huge increase in the amout of rain falling).  The car
pivoted as if on ball bearings.  Just when I'd regained control after two
full lock fishtails, I lost it again, now at probably 40-50 mph.
Fortunately I was able to get it back, missing both side guard rails by
JBLRCH.  
So there you go - one car, similar circumstances, one set of tires with two
diffent tread depths yeilding entirely different results.  While not a
scientifically controled experiment, it's still a useful example in my
humble opinion!

FORSAIL will be treated to new skins this week, and may see 300k mi. yet!

John Cassidy