Tracking Rivian R1S

[NorthVan57]

https://islandmotorsportcircuit.com/driving-experiences/high-performance-driving-program/

Off to improve my driving skills next week, any suggestions as to air pressure on my 20 stock ATs, will be replacing them after the day at the track

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[beatle]

Did the track organization already approve the R1S to be out on track? Most venues restrict SUVs and trucks from being on track. Even if they let you out, I'd have big reservations about brake fade and the battery overheating before finishing even a single session. If you're going regardless, just use the stock tire pressure.

Even if all goes without a problem, I would probably rent a vehicle instead rather than potentially ruin $2k worth of tires.

 

[NorthVan57]

Good point, my friend is booking the session, they may not allow me to track the vehicle, too bad

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

Man that looks like a lot of fun! AT wheels/tires may not be the best for the track. 22" sport wheels are what you need to make the most of vehicle at the track.

 

[NorthVan57]

Bought the rivian last fall with the 20 inch wheels so I could put on all season tires when the ATs wear out, they have lost some grip and are getting noisy, (21000 km now). Time to get all season tires, will destroy the old ATs at the track, don’t want to trash a new set of tires, hopefully track will teach me limits of the R1S (with poor traction) in a safe environment! Some other friends are bringing their sports cars so we will take turns and learn something and have some fun, the AT tires were amazing when new but want the range of the all seasons for the new set.

 

[KBabione]

If nothing else maybe the track will let you drag race your friends with their sports cars on the straightaway - Show them a launch!

 

[NorthVan57]

Track has authorized rivian or any ev for the track experience as long as width of vehicle is greater than height and tires meet minimal tread requirements, they also have a level 3 charger on site so I can charge as necessary, will be great opportunity to learn the cars (and mine) limits. Super excited!

 

[KBabione]

Track has authorized rivian or any ev for the track experience as long as width of vehicle is greater than height and tires meet minimal tread requirements, they also have a level 3 charger on site so I can charge as necessary, will be great opportunity to learn the cars (and mine) limits. Super excited!

We want photos and some videos when you get home!

 

[NorthVan57]

Just returned from tracking Rivi at islandmotorssportcircuit! I know that the conditions were not optimal, the tires I think were a very bad choice, but just wanted to learn more about the vehicle. I am coming from a minivan, my closest thing to a sporty car was a civic so I had about 20 years ago. The training course was phenomenal for an inexperienced driver like me. I was driving on the AT tires with about 5 mm tread left(about 21000 on on tires). Noticed that they are more noisy than new and don’t grip the pavement as well as they used to. 8 people in the course, two in Subarus, two in Porsches, one in a classic Toyota MR2 other four used the rental fleet. After a hour of theory about managing traction efficiently and discussing the track, we followed the two instructors (two groups of four) through various accelerating and braking exercise and got used to the track. For purpose of exercise, they divided the track into two sections. There were pylons at various sections of the course, at apexes and other key areas. Everyone took turns following the instructor and everyone had walkie talkies that allowed us to get instant feedback of our driving as we went through the course. The instructors could race the course blindfolded, as they were commenting on our driving even if we were three cars behind them. It was unbelievable. After the morning exercises we had lunch and then headed back out for open laps of the whole course. This is where I got the opportunity to test the limits of the rivian (on the AT tires at 50 psi). Braking was excellent, although the the brakes became very smelly and I started to feel nervous about their performance. I think my max speed was around 150km/hour and I had to drop to 30-40km/ hr as fast as the brakes would allow it. Only experienced a few skids in a straight line, the track was so grippy! Drove in sport mode the whole time. Every 3 laps we would do a cool down lap to cool the brakes and then go into the pit area to allow the drivers renting cars to switch vehicles. I sat out a couple lap sessions because I was worried about the vehicle health. I drove all the time with regen in lowest setting to not interfere with traction around corners. On the third set of afternoon laps they started to increase the speed and pretty soon everyone was going full out to keep up. I was terrified!! Fearful of brake fade I decided to turn on full regen to help the brakes out a bit! Big mistake!! After a couple laps I glanced down at the motor temperature and all four motors were in the red!! I immediately turned off the regen to lowest setting and eased off the go pedal! That helped the motors cool down. It was a very cool but freaky experience. I don’t think I would do it again, even if I put on the best wheel and tire combo possible. The instructor also took turns riding in everyone’s car to aid in the instruction. He was pretty impressed with the Rivian, but when I offered him a chance to drive he declined, saying he could not legally due so. The Rivian went from about 100 % charge to 40 in about an hour driving hard. They had a level 3 charger on site as they had big polestar event ther a few weeks ago. I charged up a little after lunch to about 70% (had issue with charger at lunch and it didn’t initialize at first, as I walked away to have lunch) so didnt have full battery for afternoon laps. I sat out several sessions as the motor temperatures stressed me out. I rode along in other cars for several laps so was allowed a chance to compare the other vehicles to the rivian. Bottom line is the rivian is way too heavy for this track. The acceleration was great. So many laps I would lose so much time on the corners but regain it on the straight sections. The power was great and the braking was excellent. But the speed that the other cars negotiated the corners was far in excess of anything the rivian would ever be possible of. The rivian is a boat compared the other vehicles but I had no expectations otherwise. You can’t compare this car to these racecars. The rental cars were all modified and lowered as much as possible, great tires, etc. at the post racing discussion they mentioned they had an off road section they have built behind the track to test manufacturers off road vehicles and I said “Let’s go!!!!!!” Must remember that we are driving a vehicle that can do amazing things off road. When I am in a very rough logging road and in drift mode with stability off you can barely feel the teeth shattering washboard!
Overall I learned so much about Rivi’s limitations on pavement is the best possible setting.
It was probably the scariest thing I have ever done. Won’t be doing it again. Will stick to camping and shutting the soccer kids around

 

[NorthVan57]

Just returned from tracking Rivi at islandmotorssportcircuit! I know that the conditions were not optimal, the tires I think were a very bad choice, but just wanted to learn more about the vehicle. I am coming from a minivan, my closest thing to a sporty car was a civic so I had about 20 years ago. The training course was phenomenal for an inexperienced driver like me. I was driving on the AT tires with about 5 mm tread left(about 21000 on on tires). Noticed that they are more noisy than new and don’t grip the pavement as well as they used to. 8 people in the course, two in Subarus, two in Porsches, one in a classic Toyota MR2 other four used the rental fleet. After a hour of theory about managing traction efficiently and discussing the track, we followed the two instructors (two groups of four) through various accelerating and braking exercise and got used to the track. For purpose of exercise, they divided the track into two sections. There were pylons at various sections of the course, at apexes and other key areas. Everyone took turns following the instructor and everyone had walkie talkies that allowed us to get instant feedback of our driving as we went through the course. The instructors could race the course blindfolded, as they were commenting on our driving even if we were three cars behind them. It was unbelievable. After the morning exercises we had lunch and then headed back out for open laps of the whole course. This is where I got the opportunity to test the limits of the rivian (on the AT tires at 50 psi). Braking was excellent, although the the brakes became very smelly and I started to feel nervous about their performance. I think my max speed was around 150km/hour and I had to drop to 30-40km/ hr as fast as the brakes would allow it. Only experienced a few skids in a straight line, the track was so grippy! Drove in sport mode the whole time. Every 3 laps we would do a cool down lap to cool the brakes and then go into the pit area to allow the drivers renting cars to switch vehicles. I sat out a couple lap sessions because I was worried about the vehicle health. I drove all the time with regen in lowest setting to not interfere with traction around corners. On the third set of afternoon laps they started to increase the speed and pretty soon everyone was going full out to keep up. I was terrified!! Fearful of brake fade I decided to turn on full regen to help the brakes out a bit! Big mistake!! After a couple laps I glanced down at the motor temperature and all four motors were in the red!! I immediately turned off the regen to lowest setting and eased off the go pedal! That helped the motors cool down. It was a very cool but freaky experience. I don’t think I would do it again, even if I put on the best wheel and tire combo possible. The instructor also took turns riding in everyone’s car to aid in the instruction. He was pretty impressed with the Rivian, but when I offered him a chance to drive he declined, saying he could not legally due so. The Rivian went from about 100 % charge to 40 in about an hour driving hard. They had a level 3 charger on site as they had big polestar event ther a few weeks ago. I charged up a little after lunch to about 70% (had issue with charger at lunch and it didn’t initialize at first, as I walked away to have lunch) so didnt have full battery for afternoon laps. I sat out several sessions as the motor temperatures stressed me out. I rode along in other cars for several laps so was allowed a chance to compare the other vehicles to the rivian. Bottom line is the rivian is way too heavy for this track. The acceleration was great. So many laps I would lose so much time on the corners but regain it on the straight sections. The power was great and the braking was excellent. But the speed that the other cars negotiated the corners was far in excess of anything the rivian would ever be possible of. The rivian is a boat compared the other vehicles but I had no expectations otherwise. You can’t compare this car to these racecars. The rental cars were all modified and lowered as much as possible, great tires, etc. at the post racing discussion they mentioned they had an off road section they have built behind the track to test manufacturers off road vehicles and I said “Let’s go!!!!!!” Must remember that we are driving a vehicle that can do amazing things off road. When I am in a very rough logging road and in drift mode with stability off you can barely feel the teeth shattering washboard!
Overall I learned so much about Rivi’s limitations on pavement is the best possible setting.
It was probably the scariest thing I have ever done. Won’t be doing it again. Will stick to camping and shutting the soccer kids around

 

[NorthVan57]

Will post some photos later, not working from phone!

 

[pdxriv1an]

Such a cool experience. Loved reading it and hearing about how the car performed. Yeah tight and fast turns with that big car can be challenging but the power on the straight section is amazing. I think the R3 (or R3X) might be even better given their form factor and more sport friendly ride height.

Definitely sounds like you tested the limits of the R1S in some ways or other. I bet it was super fun along with being nerve wracking at certain points due to motor heating and brakes burning. I have done track before on a rented car so I know the feeling ?

 

[NorthVan57]

Yes the pics make it look comical cause the rivian looks twice as big as any of the other cars out there, looks very out of place!

 

[NorthVan57]

Some more pics

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