Best time of year for fast laps?
 

I have seen this a few times now, but at north east tracks what is the best time of year to crank out track record type fast laps?

I hear Lime Rock in November is slow. Is it too cold to get grip?

Here in Arizona we run our fastests laps in the dead of winter. Usally in November, December, Jan or Feb. Most of the time it occurs on cold overcast day. Air temps are 50's and the cars make strong power. Track starts a bit slick, but quickly gets fast one you get heat in the tires.

Late Spring and early fall are noticeable slower due the heat with engines making less hp and the track surface gets greasy.

So at your home track(s) what is the best time of year for fast laps? What is the worst?

IMO, late spring or early fall, after a dry cold front, when you have strong sunshine (warm track temps), cool dry air (horsepower), and rubber still on the track.

I would say it is less about time of year and more about getting ideal conditions: mid 70s, sunny and very little humidity. That tends to be early June or late Sept at Lime Rock/Watkins Glen.

Hmm
Those conditions are merely OK for us in Az. Here we want mid-low 50's, overcast, lots of humdity.

I think we are just about at the middle to end of it here at Summit Point. The last race I did there 10/14-15 it was in the 30's over night and for morning practice. By qualifying and race time it was in the mid 50's low 60's, dry, with lots of sun to warm the track. It was great. Everyone was flying

At the local SCCA races around here, the fastest SM times are set in the April or late Oct/Nov races. I'd say that 70s is too warm... more like 40s? Cold air is DENSE. Believe it or not, looking for the last tenth or two a good tail wind going down the front straight at Summit makes a difference in spec miatas. Of course the more HP, the less that makes a difference.

Hallett was really fast a couple of weeks ago: temp was cool early, in the high 40's for the morning sessions but after 10:00, sun was full, temp in the upper 50's - fastest that I've ever driven the car and everyone there, with some serious hp was flying as well. Also saw only a few off track incidents, grip was excellent.

50s, dry track, sun, low humidity (which is actually on the high side for AZ :) ).

The issues is up here that if it's in the 50s at the Glen, it's normally cloudy and raining.

lots of trade offs. sometimes a cold track cant get the tire temps up to grip, especially if it is a cloudy day. we ran the exact same times at 85 degree vs 60 degree at laguna this month vs last.
i think the trade offs are with power vs grip. grip can make more of a difference. however , 95 degree with near 90% humidity at road america can make more of a difference than grip!
one of those things that depends on many factors

MK