[Z06] Traction Differences between CA and WI paving
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Germantown WI
Traction Differences between CA and WI paving
Interesting issue. In Wisconsin, I have found that I'm slipping and sliding all over the place here just driving the car like I have always done. On-ramps require a bit more sterring input and response to loss of grip than I experienced in California. I can also get wheelspin in first through 4th easily, something that was much more difficult in California.
So, a little investigation was in order. Could there actually be differences in pavement?
What I have found is that in California, a great deal of the gravel used in paving is a composite of decomposed granite and crushed stone. These littel bits have sharp edges. Meanwhile inspection of the process in Milwaukee reveals the use of dredged, and/or sifted gravel that is primarily sedimentary. These bits are relatively smooth.
Couple the lower traffic loads (less rubber in the road surface), greater rain fall, salting from the winter months, and years of plows grinding away at the surface, and you have a surface with less grip.
Then we looked at turn radii. I note that in Milwaukee, the on-ramps are tighter than the generous loops provided in the Southern California area. Same with off-ramps and surface street designs.
In all, we be a slipping and drifting! I'm not actually complaining... it is kinda more fun at times. Certainly has been a cause of some adrenelin flow of late!
:cheers:
So, a little investigation was in order. Could there actually be differences in pavement?
What I have found is that in California, a great deal of the gravel used in paving is a composite of decomposed granite and crushed stone. These littel bits have sharp edges. Meanwhile inspection of the process in Milwaukee reveals the use of dredged, and/or sifted gravel that is primarily sedimentary. These bits are relatively smooth.
Couple the lower traffic loads (less rubber in the road surface), greater rain fall, salting from the winter months, and years of plows grinding away at the surface, and you have a surface with less grip.
Then we looked at turn radii. I note that in Milwaukee, the on-ramps are tighter than the generous loops provided in the Southern California area. Same with off-ramps and surface street designs.
In all, we be a slipping and drifting! I'm not actually complaining... it is kinda more fun at times. Certainly has been a cause of some adrenelin flow of late!
:cheers:
Instructor
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area CA
Re: Traction Differences between CA and WI paving (kwillmorth)
Certain parts of MN are similar. I drove my '79 Z28 out there for college, and my car seemed to get sideways pretty easy. But, when I was out there, oh boy were the roads a mess!!! Lost a couple sets of mufflers...
It's funny, I think the potholes in MN actually *add* up to better traction... :lol:
:cheers:
It's funny, I think the potholes in MN actually *add* up to better traction... :lol:
:cheers:
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 12,712
Likes: 2,271
Re: Traction Differences between CA and WI paving (Rebelskum)
Do WI and MN still allow studded tires? They really make the pavement surface knarly and slippery. When I lived in that part of the country back in the late sixties and early seventies there was a lot of controversy over studded tires. The compromise was to establish a window that you could legally use them because they tear up the roads.
Duke
Duke
Instructor
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area CA
Re: Traction Differences between CA and WI paving (SWCDuke)
You hit the nail on the head for MN while I was there, Duke.
It was a seasonal allowance, if you were caught with studded tires in the middle of summer, you got ticketed. Not sure if it is the same there now.
It was a seasonal allowance, if you were caught with studded tires in the middle of summer, you got ticketed. Not sure if it is the same there now.
