Running Anti-freeze on track.....
08-30-2010, 02:48 PM
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Running Anti-freeze on track.....
Hey guys,
Here's a thread where anti-freeze was involved in causing a crash. Both guys suffered a lot of damage to their cars. Luckily, they escaped physical injury.
Think twice before racing with anti-freeze in the radiator.
Here's a thread where anti-freeze was involved in causing a crash. Both guys suffered a lot of damage to their cars. Luckily, they escaped physical injury.
Think twice before racing with anti-freeze in the radiator.
08-30-2010, 03:11 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
I did a day at Gingerman last April . I suggested they change out the antifreeze for water .
That idea got shot down in a big hurry , got my head bit off . Two wheel of four ...spilled antifreeze sucks . That corner is junk for the day .
That idea got shot down in a big hurry , got my head bit off . Two wheel of four ...spilled antifreeze sucks . That corner is junk for the day .
08-30-2010, 03:47 PM
#5
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
A/F is very slippery, and not quickly visible by the corner workers or the cars following along behind.
It does not evaporate like water, so it has to be cleaned up by track personnel.
It does not evaporate like water, so it has to be cleaned up by track personnel.
08-30-2010, 03:51 PM
#6
Melting Slicks
ever stepped on armor all on concrete or asphalt?
anti-freeze on track is like putting oil or armor all on the ground: it makes it VERY slippery to drive over; whereas water doesn't "coat" the ground, it just absorbs in and evaporates.
08-30-2010, 04:09 PM
#7
Intermediate
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great idea, but...
I agree that a "no antifreeze" policy would be good.
But, there is NO WAY track clubs would be able to run HPDE events with a requirement of no antifreeze.
But, there is NO WAY track clubs would be able to run HPDE events with a requirement of no antifreeze.
08-30-2010, 04:32 PM
#8
Former Vendor
Randy
08-30-2010, 04:37 PM
#9
Safety Car
Never had an overheat problem yet...and that's in Texas heat.
08-30-2010, 04:56 PM
#11
it takes WAY more than 10 minutes to swap anti-freeze out. You 'might' be able to drain the radiator in 10 minutes, but to fully drain the block and make sure ALL the anti-freeze is flushed out will take a lot longer... maybe a whole lot longer depending on the car. I agree its a safety issue, but honestly I've seen more people lose their motor and oil a track down compared to losing the anti-freeze.
08-30-2010, 05:33 PM
#13
Race Director
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Agreed, no way in hades the average new student would consider the extra effort. If one wants to run with no A/F, it will have to be sanctioned events only. That is the world in which we live.
08-30-2010, 06:30 PM
#15
Melting Slicks
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Plus how would you suggest checking for antifreeze in a car that the guy got up to running temp waiting in line?
Here's my day in Tech, burned my hand on 30 different radiator caps, scaled 10 times and burnt my tongue tasting anti-freeze (can't be good for you btw). Your only hope is that the field is filled with old VW bugs and air-cooled 911's!
08-30-2010, 08:10 PM
#17
Drifting
The only way I see a problem enforcing this is during the colder months of the year (or month, in my case).
08-30-2010, 10:38 PM
#18
Race Director
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I am all in for the safety sake of using plain water. Notwithstanding my lack of any quantifiable data, I feel that the economy has adversely affected attendee numbers at HPDE's and that track day promoters just don't need any more knocks against putting together a full event. I view it as accept the status quo or plan on not so many events in the future. Could be wrong but I don't think so. Actually, I understand there are several track start ups that are not going to be completed or are running way behind on opening. If it is not profitable, it won't happen.
08-30-2010, 10:43 PM
#19
Former Vendor
They'll never be able to keep an eye on this for HPDE's! Racing and TT is another thing, but for HPDE it just isn't going to happen.
Plus how would you suggest checking for antifreeze in a car that the guy got up to running temp waiting in line?
Here's my day in Tech, burned my hand on 30 different radiator caps, scaled 10 times and burnt my tongue tasting anti-freeze (can't be good for you btw). Your only hope is that the field is filled with old VW bugs and air-cooled 911's!
Plus how would you suggest checking for antifreeze in a car that the guy got up to running temp waiting in line?
Here's my day in Tech, burned my hand on 30 different radiator caps, scaled 10 times and burnt my tongue tasting anti-freeze (can't be good for you btw). Your only hope is that the field is filled with old VW bugs and air-cooled 911's!
Randy
08-30-2010, 10:45 PM
#20
Former Vendor
it takes WAY more than 10 minutes to swap anti-freeze out. You 'might' be able to drain the radiator in 10 minutes, but to fully drain the block and make sure ALL the anti-freeze is flushed out will take a lot longer... maybe a whole lot longer depending on the car. I agree its a safety issue, but honestly I've seen more people lose their motor and oil a track down compared to losing the anti-freeze.
Randy