Summer Track Event Advice???
 

So, I survived my first track event at NOLA Motorsports Park, and signed up for my next one. The issue...its in late June. I've had a couple people tell me that they wont go to the track from May through September down here because it is just too hot. I will also end up staying in the hotter portions of the states (likely Florida since that is where the wife wants to continue to live). So after some looking around and only finding general track advice (which i much appreciate), I thought I would just ask.

For those who've been doing track driving/racing for a while, what advice do you have on summer track events that are likely to be hot?

Thank you in advance.

Take a lot of water with you. And sports drink of your choice. Stay hydrated.

Other than that, prep your car for the worst conditions possible. Use good fluids, and pay attention to your brakes. Pads that may not fade in the winter could fade in the summer.

Cooler, cold beverages, $90 Walmart pop up tent for shade, and foldable chairs. I have done tons of events throughout the Southeast in the summer months.

This.

And yes, the summer *sucks* here. I travel up north for track events during the summer months.

This.


This.

You've definitely got me beat by having humidity, but we race year-round in Arizona.

Hydration I cannot stress enough, try to drink a bottle of water after every session before or during your group downloads (If your run groups use them)

Like the others said watch your fluid levels, make sure everything is topped off before the event. Tire pressures will be way higher than normal, and the track will get greasy as the day progresses.

But most of all, go out and have some fun! :burnrubber:

Stay cool and hydrated as mentioned above. More importantly if you feel off don't go on the track.

Some Like It Hot!
 

AKUHEI...

I don't think anyone who has really been bitten by the track bug takes the summer off. Hydration is key (even on the cold days). Remember to stay in the shade whenever possible...preferably sitting down with your feet up. I remember one windy and biting cold day in February where a bunch of us were huddled around a space heater in one of the open garages at Texas World Speedway. Someone pointed out that my pants had caught on fire. So what!
I was, only then, just starting to get warm.

God, I can't wait for summer!

Thanks for the advice so far everyone. I'll be sure to bring a cooler full of water and some portable shade (just bought a canopy tent for that purpose). I just wish my next track event was sooner than June 22 :( .

You may want to look into running an oil cooler. I read through this thread a little while ago and it sorta sheds some light on the issue.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...ght=oil+cooler

I thought about it, and probably will if/when I go FI (which might be a few years..since I'm waiting to see how the twinscrew turns out). I have been keeping an eye on the oil cooler threads, but so far it seems that the car only needs it if tracked often, or with FI. So far, from the 3rd party forum posts i've read, it seems that as a DD with no FI, it might keep the oil too cool. I do tend to drive conservative (fast, but not a lot of heavy acceleration) during normal DD driving.

I will certainly keep an eye on it and keep talking with those I know who have far more knowledge on the subject than I do (...so almost anyone on the forums really) to make a decision on that.

Tie that canopy down with a lot of weight on every corner. I've seen more than a few fly away and take out cars, etc....

we saw one land on someones car, was NOT funny at all to watch, like a drone outta control!

Will do. Didn't think about that. Guess my spare tire will have a use while its out of the car at the track. I will have to find a few other items to tie to (I am thinking a cooler full with ice and bottles of water should do okay for another corner). Its not the most sturdy canopy (I dont really think any of them are really sturdy), so I plan on taking it down if the wind starts to cause any issues.