fhp911

I was at Summit Point WV last week for 2 very sweltering days. (RTR PCA event)

I've been told that using the AC while on the track is not a good idea, but I haven't heard an explanation as to why it isn't a good idea. I didn't use it while on track.

WHAT'S THE STORY?? Is using the AC damaging/bad in any way? If so, why?

TIA.

Veloce Raptor

In most modern cars, the AC compressor will kick off under full throttle. I suspect that the constant kicking off & on for a 20-30 minute track session, in addition to the added heat load due to the AC operating on track, does not help most cars.







Professional Racing and Driving Coach

Mark in Baltimore

Also, since both windows are opened, the effectiveness of any AC will, literally, fly right out of the window.

Marks951

also water draining onto the track isn't good.

U4EEAH

Beg to differ. I've instructed students with their A?C on and the cool air helps on brutal days. You do want to be very sure it is not raising your coolant temperatures above normal, otherwise no harm. Modern compressors are engineered to cycle on and off a bizillion times in their life, doubt if a few DE days will impact it much. Water?? A hundred A/Cs wouldn't put enough water on a hot track to have any impact

mglobe

Probably not great for the car, but probably won't kill it. I think the best solution is AC full blast, and windows up on grid, then switch off AC and open windows just before going out on the track.

9sixty4

+1 on AC on before AND on the cool down/into the padock to cool yourself off. As long as you are not overheating the car.

bgiere

I used to run the AC in my Targa at DE's all the time...it was great to have some cold air blowing into the helmet...never seemed to make any difference in oil temp.

himself

FWIW, I did this exact experiment last month: I ran my AC full blast all day Saturday, but no AC on Sunday. The car ran noticeably hotter than normal on Saturday in each session [needle went just to the right of the zero after "180" on my display] and took and extra lap to cool down. On Sunday, the car much ran cooler with no AC [need stayed on the zero in "180"]. Track temps were actually hotter on Sunday. I was also about .5-.75 seconds faster per lap on Sunday, but I don't give this much weight, as I am always faster on day 2

The AC was noticeable on track, but only in brief spurts and did not prevent sweating in any way.

As mglobe mentioned, it was much better to get the max blast on cool down.

-td

mdrums

In the summer at Sebring I need the A/C on. I point the air vents right at me. I've never had an issue with the compressor or my car overheating. I try to turn it off but it's hard to keep it off in August at Sebring for example.

VaSteve

It's not so much the water draining as the corner workers (if they are watching) can't tell if it's oil or fuel or what. Seen someone called out for it.

Land Jet

I believe I read not to long ago that some race series now require AC in the cars. Anyone else see that?

pmason

Now I heard this second hand, but there is a Panamera been running DEs with us this year. And in one session they said it was getting warm in the car, inital thought was lets turn on the air but remembered hey we have seat coolers :-)

ubercooper

its saps power from your motor to utilize the compressor and hence makes it work harder. A car with the A/C on will be noticeably slower than with it off.

yes, the Gt-2 Corvettes are running compressors ($$$) which only need about .5hp to operate

Mark in Baltimore

I accidentally ran with my AC on more than one occasion (back when I still had the belt hooked up) and never felt any cooler with it on and running full blast. Maybe the refrigerant was low.