Question for racers

[actionange1]

When its cold, damp and no sun do you have the knowledge and/or experimentation ability to adjust your car for conditions to get down the track?
With lots cars having adjustable ladder bars, Caltracs and double adjustable shocks should be able to try something...what do some of you guys do?
Not every race day is sunny, dry with a sticky starting line. Those days have different issues to contend with...

 

[Budnicks]

IMHFO I think the car/chassis isn't effected as much as the motor/engine, unless it's an extreme change in temp., use a weather station to see what the corrected altitude relative air density is the 1st thing, re-jett carb if necessary, maybe add some squirter or more aggressive accel. pump cam, add or take out 1*-2* initial timing if needed, see what track conditions/surface temp. are after 1st pass, tire pressure changes a 1/2 pound/little lower maybe when it's not prepped real good, or if it's biting really well under cloud cover & cool add a 1/2 pound maybe, shock setting a little softer a click or 2 maybe, for more rear squat & front lift, or visa versa if it's biting really well go up stiffen a click or 2 maybe, might move bars {but I usually don't} or add or subtract pre-load depending on how it runs the 1st pass, how hard it hits the tires & track prep conditions...

 

[440gtx]

I agree with budnick the weather affects engine performance more than the chassis... Thats when data comes to play documenting track and weather condition to make the right call. I was at LVD saturday it was cold and damp out testing a car that has it been at a track in two years we check the past data set the car up first pass was the best best ever on the 9.05 1.27 60 It's about documentation!!!!!!

 

[Endangered Species]

Ange,

We'll make rear shock changes (down if it's loose and up if it's tight) and tire pressure. That's about it. If the track is junk it's junk. Once you get it to hook then you have to worry about it getting loose.

 

[Crizila]

I live at 5000 ft above sea level. I race at tracks that very from 1000 to 3000 ft. My area is also subject to some major DA changes in very short periods of time. I usually make my changes at home and go with what I got for the day - unless my set up is waaaay off. Doing carb work at the track is not a good thing IMO. If it is a change I can make in less than 20 minutes, I might do it. I usually bracket race and rely on my last pass for my dial. I am usually as close as those guys running around with their weather stations, frantically make jet / suspensions changes before the first round call.