Rockingham’s wet grip now gives an extra kick

Rockingham circuit in Northamptonshire has taken its £1.5 million Wet Grip facility to a new level of sophistication this week, with the installation of a new hi-tech kick-plate.

The new kick-plate – the only one in the UK – means Rockingham’s Wet Grip facility is able to offer car manufacturers and component suppliers the ultimate automotive demonstration venue capable of meeting their varied and exacting needs.

As a vehicle crosses the kick-plate at speeds of between 15 and 40 mph, sensors in the ground are triggered and a hydraulic piston below the surface of the plate creates a ‘kick’ movement. The rear of the vehicle then swerves, causing it to start skidding on the adjacent wet performance surfaces.

The kick-plate also makes it possible to simulate at low speeds what happens to a vehicle during violent manoeuvres at higher speeds. The plate’s ability to produce varying levels of kick - and therefore skid - means organisations can carry out precise testing of ABS braking, traction control and ESP systems in a safe and controlled environment.

“The kick-plate makes Rockingham’s Wet Grip facility unique in the UK,” commented Rockingham Chairman, Len O’ Hagan. “The Kick-plate is the only one in the UK and one of only three in Europe.

“This is a fantastic feature that makes our facility first choice for driving training programmes and testing new technologies such as ESP. We have already received excellent feedback from clients using Wet Grip and the kick-plate can only lead to greater customer satisfaction.”

The existing wet performance surfaces, together with the all-new kick-plate, now give manufacturers the opportunity to evaluate a combination of driving ability, electronic systems and the effects of physics on their vehicles in the same place, at the same time.

Developed in co-operation with MIRA, the state-of-the-art Rockingham Wet Grip facility offers unrivalled extreme weather automotive demonstration facilities. The performance surfaces have been developed in line with the latest manufacturer standards and simulate ice, rain, and even the effects of wet leaves.

Also unique in the UK are the water walls, which can be randomly programmed with 19 different settings and create the closest possible simulation of a real-life emergency avoidance situation.

The Wet Grip facility can be booked by contacting the Rockingham sales team on 01536 271273.