5 Tips for Cooling this Summer

Top five tips for hot weather

The UK and most of Europe has been in a heatwave for the past month or so. This has made summer running of cars more difficult so we thought it would be useful to give you five tips for summer races.

Tip 1: Just how hot is it One of the big problems when trying to solve problems cause by overheating is understanding just how hot the vehicle is getting. Racetech Temperature Strips offer a cheap way of understanding how hot fixed surfaces are getting (such as engine covers, uprights, wishbones). They are a self adhesive sticker with a thermometer style gauge on. The temperature strip will show the maximum temperature an item has reached (but won't show you how long for and aren't reusable) and are ideal for a quick reference guide when testing.

Similar to the temperature strips is the Racetech Temperature Paint. Traditionally this is used on brake discs to determine the temperature they reach however can be used on other surfaces. You simply apply the paint and the activating agent, the colour will change with the temperature.

Other methods for establishing temperatures include pyrometers. This will either make contact with the item being inspected or use an infra-red beam to determine the temperature, often used for tyres or brake discs. If you would be interested in this type of device please call or email us for more details.

Tip 2: Coolant With hotter ambient temperatures engine coolant becomes even more critical. Adding a coolant additive such as Red Line Water Wetter or Millers Extra Cool. These help to improve the cooling effect of coolant and will help to keep temperatures down.

Evans Waterless Coolant is another type of coolant which will help to reduce temperatures. This is a special type of coolant which does not require any water in the system. Use prep fluid to drain water from an existing coolant system before adding the waterless coolant. This is especially good for reducing hot spots in a coolant system or when a vehicle is stationary for a long period of time with the engine running (such as in the assembly area).

Tip 3: Adding a Fan Adding a fan or improving the specification of the fan gives remarkable results to cooling the engine. These can help to improve the air flowing through the radiator and thus improve cooling.
Revotec Fans offer a sensible solution to improving cooling abilities of the radiator. Push/blower or puller/sucker fans are fans are available in either a slimline (for those tight on space) or high power (for those needing extra cooling) specifications.

Tip 4: Keep the driver cool Especially important in closed cockpit cars. We've all seen video footage and photographs of drivers over heating in their competition cars. A driver competing has an increase in adrenaline which can cause their temperature to rise. Combined with overalls, fireproofs, gloves and a helmet and drivers can over heat easily.

It is important for a driver to stay hydrated through out the day so make sure they drink plenty of fluids before competing. On board drink bottle systems provide a suitable solution for hydration whilst competing (especially for endurance racing), please call or email us for details.

Another method for keeping a driver cool is the use of an Inline Blower Fan. These when combined with ducting can be used to blow air directly at the driver and offers a cheap alternative to air conditioning systems or a useful addition.

Tip 5: Keeping the brakes cool By installing brake ducting you can help to reduce the temperature of brake calipers and discs which will in-turn reduce brake fade. Installing brake ducting or increasing the size of the ducting will help air to flow through a car and be directed onto the brakes. People often install large ducting but then only fit small ducts/inlets/outlets to the car. This can reduce the efficiency of the system. Also don't forget to make the entire ducting system as air tight as possible so that no air can escape. Keeping aluminium inlets/outlets well polished with something like auto sol will also improve it's efficiency.