THE HEAT OF THE DAY
Thu, 2007-07-19 11:54
How much is eight thousandths of a second? Not much, admittedly, but
under the right circumstances it can be huge. In two recent races, the
Pro Care Rx Nationals at Englishtown and the Mopar Mil-High Nationals
in Denver, heat may have played a pivotal role in the outcome of Pro Stock Motorcycle competition.
Old Bridge Township Raceway Park and Bandimere Speedway are similarly configured in that the competitors approach the starting line by rolling under the control/VIP suite towers. When the weather’s hot as it was at both races, the shade afforded by the tower can be unbelievably important to the motorcycle competitors. If the lines are long, the racers whose motorcycles are in the shade ultimately end up with a considerable advantage over those who remain out in full sunlight. How much is eight thousandths of a second? Not much, admittedly, but under the right circumstances it can be huge. In two recent races, the Pro Care Rx Nationals at Englishtown and the Mopar Mil-High Nationals in Denver, heat may have played a pivotal role in the outcome of Pro Stock Motorcycle competition.
Old Bridge Township Raceway Park and Bandimere Speedway are similarly configured in that the competitors approach the starting line by rolling under the control/VIP suite towers. When the weather’s hot as it was at both races, the shade afforded by the tower can be unbelievably important to the motorcycle competitors. If the lines are long, the racers whose motorcycles are in the shade ultimately end up with a considerable advantage over those who remain out in full sunlight.
In Denver a similar situation arose, with the motorcycle racers who found themselves in the shade of the tower ending up with what might be considered a distinct advantage. One noted crew chief estimated that the 10 minutes of shade provided some motorcycles could have
resulted in a few thousandths of a second advantage in elapsed time because they went to the starting line with cooler engines, cooler motorcycles and cooler gasoline.
The subject has apparently been broached with NHRA officials, who have promised to “look into” the situation at future races. It may come down to something as simple as, if there’s not enough room for every motorcycle to fit underneath the tower, that none of them will be allowed to seek the shad before they race.
That’s the motorcycles that won’t be allowed in the shade, not the riders!
Old Bridge Township Raceway Park and Bandimere Speedway are similarly configured in that the competitors approach the starting line by rolling under the control/VIP suite towers. When the weather’s hot as it was at both races, the shade afforded by the tower can be unbelievably important to the motorcycle competitors. If the lines are long, the racers whose motorcycles are in the shade ultimately end up with a considerable advantage over those who remain out in full sunlight. How much is eight thousandths of a second? Not much, admittedly, but under the right circumstances it can be huge. In two recent races, the Pro Care Rx Nationals at Englishtown and the Mopar Mil-High Nationals in Denver, heat may have played a pivotal role in the outcome of Pro Stock Motorcycle competition.
Old Bridge Township Raceway Park and Bandimere Speedway are similarly configured in that the competitors approach the starting line by rolling under the control/VIP suite towers. When the weather’s hot as it was at both races, the shade afforded by the tower can be unbelievably important to the motorcycle competitors. If the lines are long, the racers whose motorcycles are in the shade ultimately end up with a considerable advantage over those who remain out in full sunlight.
In Denver a similar situation arose, with the motorcycle racers who found themselves in the shade of the tower ending up with what might be considered a distinct advantage. One noted crew chief estimated that the 10 minutes of shade provided some motorcycles could have
resulted in a few thousandths of a second advantage in elapsed time because they went to the starting line with cooler engines, cooler motorcycles and cooler gasoline.
The subject has apparently been broached with NHRA officials, who have promised to “look into” the situation at future races. It may come down to something as simple as, if there’s not enough room for every motorcycle to fit underneath the tower, that none of them will be allowed to seek the shad before they race.
That’s the motorcycles that won’t be allowed in the shade, not the riders!
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