NASCAR/Racing Question:

[Adam8281]

Yesterday I went to my first racing "event" (not really an event, but a "practice" session at the South Boston Motor Speedway in South Boston, VA, to gear up for the season which begins next week). I noticed that whenever a new car would pull out onto the track, it would swerve sharply from side to side during the first lap. Basically, instead of driving in a straight line, the cars would drive in a "squiggly" line, veering from the left edge to the right edge of the track. Does anyone know why they did this? My guess was that it was to warm up all of their tires so that they would grip the road better.

 

[waggy]

yeah to warm up the tires.

 

[spidey07]

It is to warm up the tires or to keep them warm under caution. Tires are prewarmed before they are put on the car. I think 200-210 degrees is optimal. The difference between warm and cold tires is huge traction wise.

If this was a practice session the driver could also be testing the car setup to see how it reacts/feels.

 

[JohnCU]

wipes debris off the tire


i think?

 

[trmiv]

It's not really to warm them, it's mainly to get crap off the tires. Rubber, rocks, etc.

Adam8281, cool that you went to South Boston! I've wanted to race there, and actually had a race schedule there last year, but it got canceled. It's a cool track.

 

[Adam8281]

Yeah, it was great! My wife and I were staying at B&B in South Boston and were looking for something to do, and we heard some loud car noises heading from the track so we went over It was a practice session, open to the public, for free, so that was pretty cool! We both liked it, so I think we'll try to make a real race some time.

 

[trmiv]

There are some great race tracks closer to home for you too. Relatively close to Raleigh there is Orange County Speedway, Southern National Raceway Park (probably my favorite out of any track I've ever raced on), Ace Speedway, and Wake County Speedway (this place is kind of a junky hole in the wall, but hey they race there).

 

[JohnCU]

Originally posted by: Adam8281
Yeah, it was great! My wife and I were staying at B&B in South Boston and were looking for something to do, and we heard some loud car noises heading from the track so we went over It was a practice session, open to the public, for free, so that was pretty cool! We both liked it, so I think we'll try to make a real race some time.

why didn't you come to our raleigh ATOT meet?

 

[MichaelD]

It's to wipe the Trailer Stank off the tires...it's been scientifically proven that Trailer Stank limits traction, tire life and financial income on a per-race basis.

The animated movie "Cars" satirizes (sp?) the whole NASCAR way of life/experience; but imagine having to deal with/work with/live with people like that on a daily basis!?

I did...for a long time down in Texas. I actually LIKED those folks...anytime I had a BAC higher than .10...which was most of the time during the time I lived there. Good people...they mean well...and can make awesome BBQ out of anything from Prime Rib to Road Kill...they're just not reel brite (sic).

Oh yeah...the swerving tire thing...it's to keep the tires at optimal operating temp AND to wipe any debris (i.e. oppossum, dentures, wayward diaphrams...) off the tire.

 

[Adam8281]

That's good to know! I live in Brier Creek, and it looks like OC Speedway and Wake Cty. are the closest. We'll have to check it out. Hey, PM me if you're racing some time and maybe we can try to come!

 

[Adam8281]

Originally posted by: JohnCU

Originally posted by: Adam8281
Yeah, it was great! My wife and I were staying at B&B in South Boston and were looking for something to do, and we heard some loud car noises heading from the track so we went over It was a practice session, open to the public, for free, so that was pretty cool! We both liked it, so I think we'll try to make a real race some time.

why didn't you come to our raleigh ATOT meet?

I had company in town that weekend. Sounded fun though!

 

[JohnCU]

Originally posted by: Adam8281

Originally posted by: JohnCU

Originally posted by: Adam8281
Yeah, it was great! My wife and I were staying at B&B in South Boston and were looking for something to do, and we heard some loud car noises heading from the track so we went over It was a practice session, open to the public, for free, so that was pretty cool! We both liked it, so I think we'll try to make a real race some time.

why didn't you come to our raleigh ATOT meet?

I had company in town that weekend. Sounded fun though!

oh okay, maybe next time :thumbsup:

 

[boomhower]

It is to warm up the tires or to keep them warm under caution. Tires are prewarmed before they are put on the car. I think 200-210 degrees is optimal. The difference between warm and cold tires is huge traction wise.

Depends on the series, they are illegal in Nascar.

It's not really to warm them, it's mainly to get crap off the tires. Rubber, rocks, etc.

This is the real reason. Under caution the tires pick up all kinds of crap from pit road and the apron. They are hot and sticky so all kinds of crap will gets stuck on them. To get it off they do the swerving thing.

 

[JohnCU]

oO i was right

 

[Billb2]

Go watch an SCCA regional race. There's nothing like amateurs on a road course.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: boomhower

It is to warm up the tires or to keep them warm under caution. Tires are prewarmed before they are put on the car. I think 200-210 degrees is optimal. The difference between warm and cold tires is huge traction wise.

Depends on the series, they are illegal in Nascar.

Thanks! The more you know.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
It's to wipe the Trailer Stank off the tires...it's been scientifically proven that Trailer Stank limits traction, tire life and financial income on a per-race basis.

The animated movie "Cars" satirizes (sp?) the whole NASCAR way of life/experience; but imagine having to deal with/work with/live with people like that on a daily basis!?

I did...for a long time down in Texas. I actually LIKED those folks...anytime I had a BAC higher than .10...which was most of the time during the time I lived there. Good people...they mean well...and can make awesome BBQ out of anything from Prime Rib to Road Kill...they're just not reel brite (sic).

Oh yeah...the swerving tire thing...it's to keep the tires at optimal operating temp AND to wipe any debris (i.e. oppossum, dentures, wayward diaphrams...) off the tire.

You tried too hard:thumbsdown:

 

[meltdown75]

to provide the drivers with some excitement.

(it's not too often they get to turn the wheel to the right)

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: meltdown75
to provide the drivers with some excitement.

(it's not too often they get to turn the wheel to the right)

Yeah going into a turn at 190+ MPH inches from the wall isn't excitement enough.

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: meltdown75
to provide the drivers with some excitement.

(it's not too often they get to turn the wheel to the right)

Yeah going into a turn at 190+ MPH inches from the wall isn't excitement enough.

your FACE isn't excitement enough.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: meltdown75
to provide the drivers with some excitement.

(it's not too often they get to turn the wheel to the right)

Yeah going into a turn at 190+ MPH inches from the wall isn't excitement enough.

your FACE isn't excitement enough.

Sorry I don't speak Aspie, what is that suppose to mean?

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: meltdown75
to provide the drivers with some excitement.

(it's not too often they get to turn the wheel to the right)

Yeah going into a turn at 190+ MPH inches from the wall isn't excitement enough.

your FACE isn't excitement enough.

Sorry I don't speak Aspie, what is that suppose to mean?

lolllllllll

it means cry moar you redneck geezer

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: meltdown75
to provide the drivers with some excitement.

(it's not too often they get to turn the wheel to the right)

Yeah going into a turn at 190+ MPH inches from the wall isn't excitement enough.

your FACE isn't excitement enough.

Sorry I don't speak Aspie, what is that suppose to mean?

lolllllllll

it means cry moar you redneck geezer

:shocked::laugh:

 

[LordMorpheus]

Originally posted by: waggy
yeah to warm up the tires.

also to try get as much of the track debris off the tires as possible.

 

[geno]

Originally posted by: LordMorpheus

Originally posted by: waggy
yeah to warm up the tires.

also to try get as much of the track debris off the tires as possible.

Yeah. I hear it warms up the tires in addition to that.