Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22788 Location: UK

Skid pans - ever had a go at driving on one? either in a car, or perhaps even a bus?? Memories of an "On The Buses" film are now flooding back Smile

RJ
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D4B · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK

I drove an Austin Maestro at Silverstone which was on a "skidpan frame" which the instructor had control of,
when he felt like it he would lift either end or both ends of the car off the ground to imitate skidding......

Excellent fun Cool

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4863 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
I used to instruct for Lancs. Cty Council on the water only pan we had in Blackburn before B/burn declared UDI and handed it over to the travellers camp next door.
The pan was slightly dished with 2 drains on the centre line and a holding tank underneath, water was pumped from this tank to pipes round the edge sending the water onto the pan, not a spray more of a tap turned part way on.
Initially we had Mk 1 and 2 Escorts but they were far too easy to recover after skidding. so we then went front wheel drive with an Escort, a Cavalier and if I remember correctly a Sunny.
We had normal road tyres pressured at about 40psi on the front and specially purchased slicks on the back, the slicks being pumped up to between 50 and 60 psi.
This enabled us to get rear wheel skids and four wheel skids at around 12 to 15 mph. front wheel skids (understeer) were more difficult because of the lowish speed and restricted area, we could even get the more vicious secondary skid in the opposite direction by going back on the gas while still on opposite lock instead of centreing the wheel before re-accelerating
I enjoyed the instruction but the best part of a session was getting in the driving seat and spreading the water around before the session and also doing the demonstration with the punters sat in the passenger seats.

Every three months or so we had get a gully emptier in because of the gunge (sediment) that collected in the tank and if the weather had been dry we would have to top up from a hydrant.
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clan chieftain · Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 2041 Location: Motherwell

When I passed my PSV in 1969 there was no skid pan in the test.
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mikeC · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2015 9:11 am Post subject:

I've had a go in a Mercedes rigged up with a skid-pan frame as described by D4B - great fun.
If I had ready access to a suitable venue, I could be tempted by this machine:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-CHANCE-MG-BSM-SKID-SIMULATOR-JUST-21-MILES-FROM-NEW-ONLY-ONE-EVER-MADE-/161858771191?hash=item25af88d8f7:g:~UcAAOSwWnFV-YMI

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22788 Location: UK

roverdriver · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2015 10:14 am Post subject:

Just after getting my licence and buying my first operational car- a 1930 OHC Morris Minor, I lived on a corner of one sealed and one unsealed road. There was a broad level edge to the unsealed road, and in the winter it became quite soft. By driving about a half mile up that road, then turning and speeding towards that flat edge, I was able to induce some quite fascinating skids, two and four-wheel drifts etc.. It taught me a lot about handling a car, and was fairly safe as my speed would be only about 20 to 25 mph.
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Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4863 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Peter_L · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2015 1:38 pm Post subject:

Did a drivers training course with Birmingham Police back in the 70's which included training in avoiding and correcting skids. Used to take my Mini's and Dad's car onto the abandoned dog track in Barnsley and throw them around.

Any opportunity on snow covered parks were never missed. My daughter could control our Scorpio and Senator on snow and ice before she even had a licence.

Dipster · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:27 pm Post subject:

Yes.

In my professional life use of armoured vehicles was common and my employer insisted that those doing so were periodically "signed off" by those competent to judge.

We used water or oil and water pans. It was great fun when we had a few cars going out at once!

One of the few parts of my work that I miss.

lowdrag · Joined: 10 Apr 2009 Posts: 1600 Location: Le Mans

My car was used by a magazine in the nineties and did some wonderful pirouettes. However, I'm not sure if the was skid pans or marks!