Turning on the A/C at the track

[NSXAMG996TT]

With triple digit temperature already here, a 20 min session in extremely hot weather seems almost untolerable. I always hydrate my body the night before and throughout the day to prevent dehydration. Even with windows down, I'm tempted to turn on my A/C next time out. So...

Will I lose horsepower output? resulting in slower lap times?
Is it too much strain on the engine running at let's say 8/10th?
Or it won't really make a difference?

Inquiring minds want to know...

 

[vtecNSX1]

I always thought the ac compressor shuts off at wot anyways. Somebody correct me if i'm wrong.

 

[JohnJW]

i actually turn on the heater to lower coolant temps! lol.

KRAMER: Whoo. It's like a sauna in here.

I'd say if it makes you more comfortable to drive with it on, go for it, but you might get passed.

 

[docjohn]

First off most hpde groups are not allowed to have windows up,if your group allows it I would opt out and keep em down,that right there will reduce the ac efectiveness to zilch thus you will be left with less hp and no coolness.I to put the heat on and fan on low to help the car stay cool.On a hot day you should be drinking and sweating and your car should be made as comfortable as possible:wink:

 

[SMGNSX]

With triple digit temperature already here, a 20 min session in extremely hot weather seems almost untolerable. I always hydrate my body the night before and throughout the day to prevent dehydration. Even with windows down, I'm tempted to turn on my A/C next time out. So...

Will I lose horsepower output? resulting in slower lap times?
Is it too much strain on the engine running at let's say 8/10th?
Or it won't really make a difference?

Inquiring minds want to know...

WHAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[NSXAMG996TT]

I know...what girlie man needs A/C! I don't know how you even do it with a full Nomex suit, head liner, and helmet on. I'll probably be ten pounds lighter at the end of the day.

 

[asylum]

First off most hpde groups are not allowed to have windows up, ...

I don't understand that !

Windows down ??? Without window net ? The risk is high to have have a limb being thrown out of the car in case of an accident wich seems more dangerous than a broken security glass.

 

[NSXLuvr]

The risk of glass shattering and causing bodily harm is much greater than a limb "being thrown out"(that makes for a funny mental image).

I use my AC at full blast while waiting in the paddock. Once I start the warm up lap I turn it off. If you are getting too hot then you might wanna invest in a cool suit. They make a huge difference even though you kinda look goofy if you don't have a race suit on at the same time.:wink:

BTW, our DE group requires that you don't use the AC and keep windows down. If a corner wornker sees water dropping from the bottom of the car they might think it is coolant and call you in for a black flag.

 

[Hrant]

I know...what girlie man needs A/C! I don't know how you even do it with a full Nomex suit, head liner, and helmet on. I'll probably be ten pounds lighter at the end of the day.

Larry, some of us, the geriatric generation that is, have gotten smarter and we don't attend track events when the ambient temp is 90+F and climbing. I have done a few track days in such heat where the track temp was 145F and it was no fun. The cool suit helps.

Turning the A/C may cause your car to over heat, especially at THill on the backside. Before the oil cooler and other mods, I had to lift for half a lap and turn the heater on to bring the gauge back back. It can be brutal on you and your engine.

 

[SMGNSX]

I know...what girlie man needs A/C! I don't know how you even do it with a full Nomex suit, head liner, and helmet on. I'll probably be ten pounds lighter at the end of the day.

Larry,
Wow that means I will loose 30 lbs this weekend but I think that is a bit much.:biggrin:
You just have to drink water and when you think you have had enough drink more and mix a few POWERade as well. The hardest thing is trying to get your suit off when you are ringing wet :frown:

Steve

 

[SMGNSX]

Larry, some of us, the geriatric generation that is, have gotten smarter and we don't attend track events when the ambient temp is 90+F and climbing. I have done a few track days in such heat where the track temp was 145F and it was no fun. The cool suit helps.

Turning the A/C may cause your car to over heat, especially at THill on the backside. Before the oil cooler and other mods, I had to lift for half a lap and turn the heater on to bring the gauge back back. It can be brutal on you and your engine.

Larry,
Hrant is right, In my old trailer I had to put in A/C just so he would go. Now he goes even with the heat and if you can't find him, everyone knows where to look (laying on the couch in the living quarters with the A/C on full blast "LOL") What really sucks is we have a 3 day race at the end of August at ThunderHill it will be smokin HOT
Steve

 

[NSXAMG996TT]

I don't want to be known as the first guy to get a heat stroke at Thunderhill.
Now, I know what to get Hrant & Steve for XMAS....

 

[NSXAMG996TT]

One size fits all cool suits...

 

[SMGNSX]

One size fits all cool suits...

Larry,
NOT
Where did you find that makeup wearing GAYLORD in the blue suit (I really don't want to know )

Steve

 

[NSXAMG996TT]

Larry,
NOT
Where did you find that makeup wearing GAYLORD in the blue suit (I really don't want to know )

Steve

Mr. Gaylord is wearing the newly designed FLAMER suit. I'm afraid to even see what the back looks like.

 

[docjohn]

One size fits all cool suits...

You need to send that foto to red, care of the canadian forum:biggrin:

 

[Nukem]

I know...what girlie man needs A/C! I don't know how you even do it with a full Nomex suit, head liner, and helmet on. I'll probably be ten pounds lighter at the end of the day.

There you go Free Weight reduction. What's so wrong with that

 

[nsxnut]

Larry, some of us, the geriatric generation that is, have gotten smarter and we don't attend track events when the ambient temp is 90+F and climbing. I have done a few track days in such heat where the track temp was 145F and it was no fun. The cool suit helps.

Be prepared. There will be days you think may be cool when you sign up, but will still be hot!

Buy a cool suit. I have one.
The first time you use one on a hot day you will understand. Truly!
You will be comfortable and relaxed. They are good for several seconds.

Steve will some day figure this out... Hint!

Yank the AC and install some brake Cooling duct's. Car will be lighter and you will stop faster than Hrant. Bring a pyrometer to rub it in..

 

[SMGNSX]

Be prepared. There will be days you think may be cool when you sign up, but will still be hot!

Buy a cool suit. I have one.
The first time you use one on a hot day you will understand. Truly!
You will be comfortable and relaxed. They are good for several seconds.

Steve will some day figure this out... Hint!

Yank the AC and install some brake Cooling duct's. Car will be lighter and you will stop faster than Hrant. Bring a pyrometer to rub it in..

Don,
I thought you were getting me one. I thought I remember reading in the
rule book no cool suits in scca, I will look into it

Steve

 

[92 white 0650]

Re: Keeping cool with minimal gear

Cool suits are great for gutted sedan type race cars. For guys who don't want to tear up their nice interior to mount the cool suit icewater chest, you might want to try the Cool Vest. http://www.glaciertek.com/

The system takes up virtually no space, keeps your core temp under control with 59F "ice" next to your body for 30+ minutes and refreezes in 20 minutes in ice water. What I do is buy the gel packs, not the vest, and make my own vest from an old tank top. I position the packs where they are out of the way of my belts; one under each arm pit extending to the waist and 2 in the small of the back. Used them this weekend at T-Hill, an event that Hrant wisely avoided.

 

[nsxnut]

Don,
I thought you were getting me one.

Once I sell some buckets.

I thought I remember reading in the
rule book no cool suits in scca, I will look into it

Steve

You do enough HPDE stuff to warrant one. That would suck if you cant use one in ITE.
Look at it this way. Extra weight.
That's why you are a few seconds off. :smile:

 

[NSXDreamer2]

a lot of race cars have the ducts bringing more air into the cockpit, does it help the situation??

NSXAMG996TT
I know... I'll probably be ten pounds lighter at the end of the day.

Why would that be a bad thing??

 

[92 white 0650]

a lot of race cars have the ducts bringing more air into the cockpit, does it help the situation??

That would do a lot if you're always moving and not in an older 3 layer full race suit with nomex underwear, a balaclava and the whole 9 yards. But for those of us with all the air circulation we can handle, the real problem is being strapped in for 15-20 minutes before you roll off the grid. That's a long time to sit there and bake.

 

[SMGNSX]

That would do a lot if you're always moving and not in an older 3 layer full race suit with nomex underwear, a balaclava and the whole 9 yards. But for those of us with all the air circulation we can handle, the real problem is being strapped in for 15-20 minutes before you roll off the grid. That's a long time to sit there and bake.

Ted,

You said it there, having to sit in pregrid is murder. Hopefully your support crew is handing you ice cold waters while you wait and then the next problem. No time to let it out:biggrin:

Steve

 

[nsxnut]

This is the shit...

http://www.coolshirt.net/racing-club-system12.html