Ok
Deserted Country road.
Mostly dry damp/wet in places.
Dark (very)
3rd gear right off camber. (not sure of speed 50 ish)
Hit mud on road.
Car slid.
I know I must not back off.
I did though. fear!!
Was lucky as regained some grip.
Carried on again.

What is the correct technique.

Just read another thread.
Slowing down seems the best option!!

This time of year can be a nightmare - especially on unfamiliar roads.

There is always the risk of running into a damp / wet piece of road, even if it hasn't rained for days. Then there is the accumulation of leaves, mud that has been dragged out by other cars and general crud / salt that gets everywhere!!

As you've already found out, I'd take extra caution and always expect the next corner to reveal the worst. You may end up driving like a pansy, but that's better than stuffing your car into a hedge, or worse still, into someone else.

Ok
Deserted Country road.
Mostly dry damp/wet in places.
Dark (very)
3rd gear right off camber. (not sure of speed 50 ish)
Hit mud on road.
Car slid.
I know I must not back off.
I did though. fear!!
Was lucky as regained some grip.
Carried on again.

What is the correct technique.

Bicycle clips on the trousers tend to help to keep the interior cleaner. Then one can stagger off and change one's kegs.

Some of the roads I use are frequently by heavy lorries. I find these days, even if the car doesn't move/slide, merely spotting mud on the road causes the butt cheeks to clench the seat tightly and the hairs to stand up on my neck.

J.

Been there!

Taking my usual Friday evening fun route home from work. It was dark, bit wet, but I knew the road well. Nice fast sweeping bend, fairly fast in (50 - 60mph :eek:), plant the throttle on the way out for a nice exit speed.....

.....except start to plant the throttle and all of a sudden I'm sliding down the road almost sideways. Correct it, sliding the other way, correct again but run out of road, onto the verge and clobber some bushes with the rear. Finally got it under control and slowed to a stop to inspect the damage :cry: Didn't spin though :)

As I get out of the car I notice how slippy the road is underfoot, it seemed there had been a bit of agricultural vehicle activity recently as it was well muddy.

Not really sure how I controlled it, fairly certain I didn't brake, but I think I did lift off out of fear. Not sure that keeping it planted would have helped or not?

Anyway, I now save those spirited drives for daylight hours so I can see the road condition. Be careful out there ;)

Was my lucky night.
I did kinda steer into it and control to some extent, but mud is mud and was lucky.
I always thought it happens to other drivers, becareful out there!!

I had a moment last weekend. Having a spirited drive on one of my favorite back roads and I didn't notice the thin layer of mud which had been spread across the road by some agricultural vehicle. Completely lost traction going into a corner. Not quite sure how, but between the DCCD and me, I managed to keep the car on the road.

It was a very sharp reminder that I need to change into my winter driving mindset.

Take driving course that uses a skid pan, that way instead of 'freezing' when it starts to slide, you use the slide and control it....that or get a lot more driving experience before yo get into that scenario!

Simon

dont speed on unlit roads weather conditions dictate the progress you can make

be careful not to hurt yourself its easy to crash !:eek2:

driver training - check out the track day section should be a thread for car control , skid pan , feb 08 rockingham ,

im going come on it will be good .

learn the technics drive with confidence .:thumb: