Skid pan makes a splash

14th November 2006

Water great idea! Drivers getting to grips with a new £1.5million skid pan don't have to worry about losing control and denting something - the walls creating the courses are fountains of water.

So when a car slides off the circuit, it'll get a quick wash, rather than clattering the barriers. The skid facility at the Rockingham circuit in Northants is the first in the UK to use the six-foot water markers. The wet tracks can be activated at a moment's notice, creating unexpected hazards for drivers on the course.

Designed in collaboration with the Motor Industry Research Association, the track can simulate ice, rain and even wet leaves. It also has different surfaces, including bricks and cobbles, to provide a stern test for both electronic safety systems and human skill.

And the new facility won't just provide valuable training for members of the public. "The variable surfaces and advanced technology create a sophisticated environment for manufacturers to test vehicle responses in extreme conditions," said circuit boss Len O'Hagan. Rockingham is hoping for a flood of interest when it runs skid pan classes in the new year.