Cold weather HPDE tips
 

Scheduled for the SCCA HPDE at Summit Point Main this weekend Mar 9-10. I missed the PCA Potomac early sign up email. Any cold weather Do's or Don'ts? I've got 7 or 8 days experience on Main. Forecast: Friday night low of 27, Saturday high of 45 and 60 on Sunday with occasional rain. Not worried about the rain on Sunday but the cold on Saturday. Running PS4S tires and have a number of rain laps at Summit. I'm scheduled for the fourth session at 10:05 so the track temp should be OK. Obviously take an extra lap to warm up the tires (and fluids). I normally run with the TPMS showing tire pressure. New Hawk DCT 60's on the front and OEM rear. I run the PDK in auto/Sport+. PSM is on, but less intrusive.

09 Boxster PDK w/Sport/Sport+

I would be sure to warm up your tires before pushing it. Do at least 2 warmup laps then come in to pits to check tires. Long season ahead no need to ball it up in March. With those temps I would back off considerably and look for something to work on while on track. Oh and I suggest avoiding racing tires (r compounds or slicks)this weekend:)

pack an extra sweater

Being able to watch the TPMS while doing the first few laps will help a lot. Obviously not a substitute for a Longacre, but at least will give you an idea of where you are.

I keep the TPMS on all the time on track, only because it's there, but it helps.

Stay warm and stay safe. We are in the same type weather up here at NJMP this weekend, just a bit cooler up here.

Should be interesting to say the least...

I wouldn't overthink it on the track. Just take it easy at first to warm them up. However, I would not run them near or below freezing temperatures as they will be hard as rocks and you will tear them up. I found that out the hard way when I was caught in an early winter storm last year. According to Michelin:

Get heat into tires and brakes. Just looked up Summit Point weather and it looks like the temperature is in the 20s today so try not to let your tires freeze if using anything other than street tires.

As others have suggested, slowly build speed each lap to allow your tires and brakes to heat up. Cold tires can crack - I had it happen to a brand new set of Hoosiers a few years back and it was not fun.

Also, even though its cold, don't forget to drink water.

What everyone said x2 - It will take 3 plus laps to get the tires up to temp but please remember the track will still be cold. A lot of people cant understand why they dont have grip when they feel they heated up the tires enough. Track is cold
This can bite back hard - have fun

Cold weather
 

All of the info on warming up your tire is important, but don't forget you also will need to make sure your car's engine is warmed up. Air-cooled engines will take time to warm up all that cold oil before trying to push it.
Also if you have a track only car with only water in the cooling system (common in SoCal) you may need to add anti-freeze.
We just had a weekend at Willow Springs and when we arrived at the track at sunup it was 22 degrees!
And track only tires, slicks or R rated need special care in freezing weather.

Greg

I recommend gloves and a heated steering wheel.

Funny you should mention heated steering wheel. I have an 09 Boxster PDK launch car. It came with heated, cooled seats and a heated steering wheel. Used it as my DD in PA almost always top down with a short run on the Toll Road. Used the heated seats in the Fall. Keeping my ears warm was the hardest part. Garaged in the Winter. As already stated, I run in the fourth session at 10, so track should be warmed from the 27 night forecast. Thanks for the tips. Car is ready, now I have to pack my creature comforts. I carry a 10 x 10 canopy as the passenger.

The new pavement at sp is really grippy. Use common sense and you’ll be fine.

Having said that, every time i go to a cold springtime event, someone crashes on the first lap of the morning. More common sense needed sometimes!