Traction compound and tracks that hook.
 

I received an e-mail from a fellow racer that feels like we should call track operators and ask what traction compound they are using before making a long trip to a race only to be disappointed by a lousy race track. After being in Bowling Green this weekend and seeing how well a properly prepared race track can be I have to say i agree with him. Bowling Green uses VHT exclusively and the racing surface was unbelievable this weekend. I was on the starting line quite a bit and didn't see anyone spin at all this weekend. It was 93 degrees on Sunday and the sun was beating down on the race track,track temp had to be at least 130.

Contrast this with Indy a few weeks ago where the starting line was very marginal and several racers spun badly in the first or second round. First time trial Saturday morning I had a 2.74 60'. A nice young lady that works for the track came by my pit space and asked if I was coming back to the combo race the next weekend. I told her I wouldn't be back next weekend and she wanted to know why. I very plainly said because you have a crappy starting line.

The point I'm trying to make is that Bowling Green was using VHT traction compound and when you walked out on the starting line it would pull your shoe off. Indy was using VP and it was about like the concrete floor in a garage. It wasn't sticky at all. All you track operators that are trying to save money on your traction compound just remember the worst thing that can happen to a race track is to get a reputation for a crappy starting line. Nothing will hurt you worse except for some one stealing all your money at the gate.
Oh by the way Indy had 5 cars for their big combo race and Bowling Green had 98.

Re: Traction compound and tracks that hook.
 

It's not always just the traction compound material. Newest issue of Drag Racing Action magazine has a two-part story on track prep. Should be out on the newsstands in about a week.

Re: Traction compound and tracks that hook.
 

John I just go by personal experience. The places that use VHT and know how to mix it are almost always good. I do realize there are other issues that can come into play but I have been to too many race tracks lately that have been using VP and its smooth and black with no stick.

Re: Traction compound and tracks that hook.
 

Greg, what does Ohio Valley use? We are planning on coming to the combo race on Saturday and it is supposed to be hot.

Re: Traction compound and tracks that hook.
 

90° ambient and full sun at No Problem and....................
NO PROBLEM HOOKING.

Nice Job Guys.

See you at the races,
Wayne Kerr

Re: Traction compound and tracks that hook.
 

I've seen subtle changes over the years, and people have adapted or become accustomed to what they can and cannot accomplish. I've been to some tracks where people just raved about the incredible traction, whereas I noticed a number of cars having problems, prompting me to think, "So that's what passes for incredible traction these days..." :rolleyes:

On a somewhat related note, I STILL see people leave the line trailing rocks, sand, and debris out of their rocker panels, dumping it right in front of their own slicks. Clean your wheel wells in the staging lanes, or do something to prevent debris from collecting there in the first place.

Re: Traction compound and tracks that hook.
 

Okay it hooks, so tell us what they use at No Problem. Inquiring minds want to know.

Looks like Greg is trying to make a point. Who uses VP and who uses VHT? Enough data and racers will decide where to race based on the traction compound used there. Then maybe some track operators will sit up, take notice, and quit listening to snake oil salesmen.

Re: Traction compound and tracks that hook.
 

Maybe you should just ask if they prep the track properly? I have been down some good working tracks with VP LC7 prep. It doesn't matter what is put on the track if it isn't done correctly, it wont work. LC7 works just as good if not better in the heat than VHT does.

Re: Traction compound and tracks that hook.
 

There was no reason to go away from VHT except for one HUGE problem, the EPA. Ya can't use the good stuff anymore according to them, I believe it's alcohol based. The tracks that do are "getting away" with it, hope they can stick (pun intended) with it for as long as they can.

The accepted stuff is a problem , it seems to me, because ya can't run on a cold track anymore and it's marginal in the heat. It's caused more scheduling problems lately where racing is holted or postponed until we get "heat into the track" in the mornings and after dark.

National events have been using the new shyt for years now and in case ya haven't noticed it has caused all kinds of issues. Nascar was using it in pit lane as well but they can't use it either, seen 'em spraying coke down for a while!!

Re: Traction compound and tracks that hook.
 

I was doing a job at this woman's house awhile back and should have asked what she used on her kitchen floor. Man, it was sticky! Almost pulled the shoes off my feet.

Re: Traction compound and tracks that hook.
 

I don't think you can buy the concentrate any longer. Ca. EPA. I was told it comes pre mixed for application. At least one track operator told me this and it has doubled in cost also. Might not be the same back yonder.


BP

Re: Traction compound and tracks that hook.
 

There is a lot to track prep... Not all about the compound used and there are several different mixes. One issue I've always had is the direction of the drag.
That is how the base rubber is put down and I think it should be done in a specific direction. Don't we rotate tires because of how the rubber shears?
Tell me what is different about the rubber put on the track?
What is the predominant tire brand/type used at the track? I feel that makes a difference.
I ran three tracks back in the 70's and they were all different compositions of asphalt. They required different methods and materials to prep. It might be easier today with the concrete. Didn't have it back in the day.

Re: Traction compound and tracks that hook.
 

Larry. Ohio Valley switched back to VHT this year and the track has been excellent. Their prior use of VP cost them a lot of racers.

Re: Traction compound and tracks that hook.
 

My experience with VP has not been good. Stick cars, and others that need wheel speed appear to like VP better. Too much spraying and not enough dragging is what many smaller tracks seem to lean toward. They just don't know. VHT now comes pre mixed with methanol, and one local guy told me two drums supposedly the same mix are often different colors. Makes you wonder.

Re: Traction compound and tracks that hook.
 

Being race director at Speedworld in AZ we have been using strip grip for a couple years now. Temperature determines the the mix ratio. We scrub track and drag the track and drag in the gold dust on bald spots. Sometimes light glue or heavy gluing done by the speed of tractor when spraying. Is the track great? Sometimes yes and sometimes just ok.For instance if we have import night we lose so much rubber on starting line and have to drag alot to get a base before glueing. Also how much base we have determines when to scrape track. Its not for lack of trying it seems to be more temp related and type of cars for the day.

Re: Traction compound and tracks that hook.
 

Guys Please understand that spraying does not constitute track prep dragging and scaping and treating bald spots do! compound plays a big part also, lebanon valley has great prep on sunday and good prep on saturday mostly because alot of street cars and imports are there on saturdays .......

Re: Traction compound and tracks that hook.
 

Mason-Dixon Dragway in Hagerstown MD uses un-cut VHT, and the track works very well, even when it is in the 40's in November.

Re: Traction compound and tracks that hook.
 

I think Jeff Stout said it best when he said, "We scrub the track..." I don't care what is used or how it's done. You first have to start with a clean surface. Can't paint a room until the walls are clean first. That is if you expect a good job.

Re: Traction compound and tracks that hook.
 

My local track switched last year about the end of july to VP LC7 from VHT. The VHT was starting to "roll" when the track got up about 120-130 deg. This was the best thing they ever did. VP seems to withstand alot of racing and even street cars a lot better than VHT did. Yes, they scrape when the rubber gets to thick. I think alot of people have had a bad experince with the Vp LC6. The LC7 is great stuff. Espcially when used with the liquid rosin that VP reccomends. Running on the VP has greatly made 60ft times more consistant and repeatable thru-out the day. I have to agree, the over-all track prep is the most important, but have heard alot of bad things about VHT recently. And another benefit of VP, no need to cut it so no methanol expense.