Drag racer's ?
Thread Starter
Max G’s
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 78
From: Monroe OH
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Drag racer's ?
I don't drag race, but I had a question about weather condition relative to speed. I have heard that the cooler the air the quicker you can run the 1/8th or 1/4 mile. But as the temp gets cooler to a certain degree is there an adverse effect that will make you slower; say 30 degree vs 60 degree? 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 951
Likes: 3
From: Placerville CA
I don't drag race either, unless you call flogging my motorcycle from stop light to stop light racing...but I digress. Colder air has more densely packed molecules, so it contains a larger amount of oxygen per unit of volume, and thus a greater amount of fuel can be introduced and still maintain the proper fuel/air ratio. That ought to increase power.
OTOH, at very high speeds denser air will increase drag, having the effect of slowing the car down. A Corvette will probably not reach the speeds where this becomes a significant factor, but with a less aerodynamic vehicle like a motorcycle it's a big deal.
My theories and I'm sticking to them....temporarily, at least.
OTOH, at very high speeds denser air will increase drag, having the effect of slowing the car down. A Corvette will probably not reach the speeds where this becomes a significant factor, but with a less aerodynamic vehicle like a motorcycle it's a big deal.
My theories and I'm sticking to them....temporarily, at least.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 18,346
Likes: 1
From: D / FW
There are certain things like dew point and temps that can hold more or less oxygen and atomized fuel .
BUT !
Traction is the biggest thing for a street car ! Too cold and surface of track is no longer sticky.
Word of warning if you go to the track with street tires avoid the water box if possible !
Treaded tires throw water up on the inner fender well to fall down on takeoff back on your tires causing car to go out of control facing the wall !
That happened to me my first time on the track after taking off the Drag Radials for a out of town trip !
A less experienced driver in a car that doesn't handle well would have over steered and hit the opposite wall !
Our track is open year round by my house but only when air temp is over 50 and it's dry . I would assume that is minimum conditions.
Heavy air favors blown engines and Thin air with less water grains favor Nitrous engines.
BUT !
Traction is the biggest thing for a street car ! Too cold and surface of track is no longer sticky.
Word of warning if you go to the track with street tires avoid the water box if possible !
Treaded tires throw water up on the inner fender well to fall down on takeoff back on your tires causing car to go out of control facing the wall !
That happened to me my first time on the track after taking off the Drag Radials for a out of town trip !
A less experienced driver in a car that doesn't handle well would have over steered and hit the opposite wall !
Our track is open year round by my house but only when air temp is over 50 and it's dry . I would assume that is minimum conditions.
Heavy air favors blown engines and Thin air with less water grains favor Nitrous engines.
Thread Starter
Max G’s
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 78
From: Monroe OH
NCM Sinkhole Donor
So you guys consider atmospheric pressure to be the biggest factor to affect how your car will perform and make changes to your car according to it?
