Coldest Track day you've even run???
 

Hello all,

I have a track day this Friday and the HIGH temperature for the day will be 45.

Has anyone had experience doing a HPDE with temps this cold?
- Advice?
- Should i cancel?

FYI: I'm running on summer tires 300 treadwear.

I've done it several times. It just takes longer to get the tires and fluids up to temp. Just make sure you have a good enough jacket since it gets cold with the windows down.

40 degrees, Willow Springs, my second event ever. Definitely gloves.. Balaklava for your ears under the helmet helps. I wore a full beanie under mine first time.. 300 treadwear tires won't warm up for about 5 laps so take it really ******* easy. Brakes will be cold too so take it ******* easy.. Engine temps won't be very good either and you don't want to push the VQ until it gets above 170 or the oil pressure spikes.. So take it ******* easy! :tup:

32 degrees. NJMP lightning. A lot of warm up laps. Oil temp never went above 230-40 :eek: . a good wind proof jacket is a must. MAYBE some gloves if you're used to not wearing gloves. Good luck.

ps: Cancel? absurd! lol 45 is fantastic! just warm up the car for few laps. Take it easy first few laps. You'll have a lot of fun. If anything, a little cooler temp is less stressful for the car.

I've been in the 30's before on a bike at VIR during Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning warm ups, practice and early races. Tire warmers worked good and no real issues. So in a car just make sure they get a few laps on them and you'll be fine.

oh and as soon as you hear "10 min to next session. get ready!" Start your car. Let the oil temp build up before you hit the track

Okay feeling a bit better about this now.

Any and all advice is appreciated. :tiphat:


:driving:

25-32 at buttonwillow this last December. Was snowing in the mountains getting there. Scary as hell on RS-3's driving in that sh1t. Car runs great though in the cold! Takes a while for tires to heat up on the track, but our day was at least sunny and the track got warm.

snow on the ground no idea on temp

Biggest mistake is cold tires.......and be midful of the idiots around you that aren't heeding the same message. I can't tell you how many people I have seen over the years put their car into the wall on a warm-up lap because they were driving too hard on cold tires right out of the pit.

I saw a guy hitting a curb rolled over on turn 5 during the outlap

Solid advice, appreciated! :tiphat:

Yea, watch out for the other cars for the first few laps on each session. Some nut will try to push it hard before his tires are warmed up. :eek: And does some grass triming, or custom body work. :icon14:

High Plains Race Way last fall...Track temps started @ 41f along with slight rain. I loved the cooler temps and prefer under 65f for my track days.