can I run antifreeze in winter at track?
01-31-2013, 07:01 AM
#1
Drifting
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can I run antifreeze in winter at track?
How do you guys do this on winter track days? Its supposed to be below freezing at night this weekend but I have three days of tracking. Do you just keep antifreeze or do you still run water and hope it doesnt freeze the block... most tracks frown on antifreeze and wouldnt want to be in violation. Does water wetter lower the freezing point of the water to protect against freezing?
01-31-2013, 08:29 AM
#3
Le Mans Master
Do you want to be responsible for wrecking a bunch of cars if you blow a radiator hose and throw antifreeze on the track?
01-31-2013, 08:38 AM
#4
Drifting
If you're just talking DE I would venture to say that 75% of people are running coolant. I've never heard a track mention anything about coolant either except when I was running bike days.
01-31-2013, 09:17 AM
#5
Le Mans Master
If you run water + water wetter I've seen folks rig up a light bulb, blanket, tarp so the lightbulb is on where it won't set the grass or any dripping fluids on fire. The blanket and tarp is to keep the wind and air infiltration from getting under the car too much.
01-31-2013, 09:48 AM
#7
Team Owner
01-31-2013, 10:36 AM
#8
Safety Car
People at De's are just driving street cars. There are tons of cars out there with antifreeze, I would run antifreeze at DE.
Racing is different.
I certainly wouldn't take a chance on freezing the block in any case.
Racing is different.
I certainly wouldn't take a chance on freezing the block in any case.
01-31-2013, 10:41 AM
#9
Safety Car
Actually the anti-freeze helps cool the engine. A lot of dedicated racers run about 20% antifreeze to keep the temps down.
Richard Newton
Richard Newton
01-31-2013, 11:22 AM
#10
Former Vendor
How below freezing is it going to be? If it's 31 degrees it will take a long damn time to cause any problems. You can throw a quick electric stick pad on the oil pan and plug it in if you are really worried.
Tonight its going to be -11 and tomorrow it will be -18 here in sunny Minnesota. Water gets rock hard in a hurry in those temps.
Randy
Tonight its going to be -11 and tomorrow it will be -18 here in sunny Minnesota. Water gets rock hard in a hurry in those temps.
Randy
01-31-2013, 12:49 PM
#12
Le Mans Master
At a 2010 NASA Mid Atlantic VIR event, they announced in the drivers meeting a $500 fee for anyone (including DE) caught with antifreeze in their car. Talk about being able to hear a pin drop. 
I'm not a fan of antifreeze at the race track. Excuses to use it doesn't outweigh the danger in my opinion, but that's just me.
I'm not a fan of antifreeze at the race track. Excuses to use it doesn't outweigh the danger in my opinion, but that's just me.
01-31-2013, 12:57 PM
#13
Team Owner
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something else to be concerned with
http://www.hoosiertire.com/safetywarning/index.htm
http://www.hoosiertire.com/safetywarning/index.htm
FREEZE WARNING
Freeze Crack Advisory: This advisory addresses proper storage and use of Hoosier tires in cold conditions. Hoosier Tires, especially asphalt and hard compound tires, may experience Rubber Cracking if the tires are transported, crushed, flexed or stressed when frozen. The following guidelines are provided to avoid this problem.
1. Always store Hoosier Racing Tires indoors at temperatures above 32° F.
2. If tires have been subject to 32° F or less, allow them to warm to room temperature (about 70° F)
for a minimum of 24 hrs before tire is mounted, transported or flexed.
3. Always use spare tires not intended for future competition to store vehicles for prolonged periods
of time or winter transport.
4. If below freezing temperatures are expected, please consider shipping tires once more favorable conditions exist.
Do not use tires that have evidence of Freeze Crack Damage.
Freeze Crack Advisory: This advisory addresses proper storage and use of Hoosier tires in cold conditions. Hoosier Tires, especially asphalt and hard compound tires, may experience Rubber Cracking if the tires are transported, crushed, flexed or stressed when frozen. The following guidelines are provided to avoid this problem.
1. Always store Hoosier Racing Tires indoors at temperatures above 32° F.
2. If tires have been subject to 32° F or less, allow them to warm to room temperature (about 70° F)
for a minimum of 24 hrs before tire is mounted, transported or flexed.
3. Always use spare tires not intended for future competition to store vehicles for prolonged periods
of time or winter transport.
4. If below freezing temperatures are expected, please consider shipping tires once more favorable conditions exist.
Do not use tires that have evidence of Freeze Crack Damage.
01-31-2013, 06:07 PM
#15
Tech Contributor
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If the temps are going to be just below freezing your biggest worry is having the radiator freeze. Especially, if there is a lot of wind. Had that happen on my old 55 Chevy. Engine ran fine until it got up to temperature and then the coolant wouldn't flow through the radiator which caused the engine to overheat shortly after. Had to park the car inside a friends garage for a while until the radiator thawed. Luckily, I didn't ruin the radiator.
Water in the block won't freeze anywhere near as fast. There isn't a lot of cooling surface and there is a lot of water whereas the radiator has lots of cooling surface and not a lot of water in the tubes.
Bill
Water in the block won't freeze anywhere near as fast. There isn't a lot of cooling surface and there is a lot of water whereas the radiator has lots of cooling surface and not a lot of water in the tubes.
Bill
01-31-2013, 08:51 PM
#16
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How do you guys do this on winter track days? Its supposed to be below freezing at night this weekend but I have three days of tracking. Do you just keep antifreeze or do you still run water and hope it doesnt freeze the block... most tracks frown on antifreeze and wouldnt want to be in violation. Does water wetter lower the freezing point of the water to protect against freezing?
I'm assuming CMP is where you do or would run?
02-01-2013, 12:03 PM
#17
Burning Brakes
I'd never be the one dumping anti-freeze on the racetrack. It simply doesn't belong anywhere people are pushing the limits. As pointed out in a previous post, the radiator is the biggest concern if temps dip below 32F.
I'd drain the radiator at the end of each day and refill with water/Water Wetter. Minor inconvenience to keep the racetrack safe.
I'd drain the radiator at the end of each day and refill with water/Water Wetter. Minor inconvenience to keep the racetrack safe.
02-02-2013, 01:00 AM
#19
Melting Slicks
Just warm up the motor every few hours. Then you have at least 3 or 4 hours before it cools off.
I like the idea of "controlling" antifreeze usage on track.
You may run antifreeze, but if you dump it on track, I'm all for a $1000 fine.
If you dump it, and cause injury or damage to others, then there should be serious consequences.
I've seen many car wrecked by someone elses dump. That always concerned me.
I like the idea of "controlling" antifreeze usage on track.
You may run antifreeze, but if you dump it on track, I'm all for a $1000 fine.
If you dump it, and cause injury or damage to others, then there should be serious consequences.
I've seen many car wrecked by someone elses dump. That always concerned me.
02-02-2013, 05:18 AM
#20
Safety Car
Purity
I'd never be the one dumping anti-freeze on the racetrack. It simply doesn't belong anywhere people are pushing the limits. As pointed out in a previous post, the radiator is the biggest concern if temps dip below 32F.
I'd drain the radiator at the end of each day and refill with water/Water Wetter. Minor inconvenience to keep the racetrack safe.
I'd drain the radiator at the end of each day and refill with water/Water Wetter. Minor inconvenience to keep the racetrack safe.
I would not think dumping coolant that is 1 part dexcool 15 parts DI water is such a big deal. But I haven't tried a slip & slide test on that...