Weather….Lightning and Drag Racing

official22yrs · 09-09-2014, 09:45 AM

Lightning and Drag Racing do they mix?

Bob Bender · 09-09-2014, 09:50 AM

In the old days it would mess with the timing system. Im sure its still not good.

Mickey Whaley · 09-09-2014, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by official22yrs

Lightning and Drag Racing do they mix?

if it hits your car no but I think the inferred timing system is different

Bob Don · 09-09-2014, 10:42 AM

I was at Napierville a few years ago and lightning hit. The timing system got fried. They patched together some of the wiring and the event ended up being run as an eighth mile race.

Larry Sullivan · 09-09-2014, 11:10 AM

Most timing systems are wired using copper wiring and the wiring acts like a big lightning rod, so if there's lightning in the area, most tracks will shut down and disconnect the timing computer from the track wiring.

The most spectacular lightning strike I've ever witnessed was at Edgewater. Lightning hit the grandstands next to the tower, jumped across to where the track wiring enters the building and came out of the box with all the connections inside (the cover was partially open for some reason). A ball of lightning shot across the room and bounced off the opposite wall. Needless to say, we were done racing and had to come back the following weekend to finish the race.

Fiber-optic cabling is replacing the copper wiring at some tracks, but it's an expensive alternative unless it's a new installation - the rising price for copper makes fiber optics a little more attractive for new installations and the big advantage is that it isn't a lightning rod.

asmyth1783 · 09-10-2014, 08:32 AM

Even with fiber optics, most tracks still have to run copper power lines. Lightning and electronics just don't mix well. A direct hit to a house could take out computers, tvs, etc if they are plugged in. Likewise, a direct hit to a race track will take out timers and sensors (as well as computers and whatever else is powered up). In the case of lightning, it is always a good idea to unplug

.

Still a pretty cool photo!

09-09-2014, 09:45 AM	#1
official22yrs Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 277 Likes: 0 Liked 762 Times in 104 Posts	Weather….Lightning and Drag Racing Lightning and Drag Racing do they mix? Attached Thumbnails

09-09-2014, 09:50 AM	#2
Bob Bender VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,729 Likes: 1,589 Liked 458 Times in 90 Posts	Re: Weather….Lightning and Drag Racing In the old days it would mess with the timing system. Im sure its still not good. __________________ Bob Bender 144 O/SA 2010-2012 National Record Holder

09-09-2014, 10:42 AM	#4
Bob Don VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Greater Boston Posts: 1,493 Likes: 1,094 Liked 886 Times in 189 Posts	Re: Weather….Lightning and Drag Racing I was at Napierville a few years ago and lightning hit. The timing system got fried. They patched together some of the wiring and the event ended up being run as an eighth mile race. __________________ Bob Don 128 SS

09-09-2014, 11:10 AM	#5
Larry Sullivan Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Baytown, TX Posts: 340 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: Weather….Lightning and Drag Racing Most timing systems are wired using copper wiring and the wiring acts like a big lightning rod, so if there's lightning in the area, most tracks will shut down and disconnect the timing computer from the track wiring. The most spectacular lightning strike I've ever witnessed was at Edgewater. Lightning hit the grandstands next to the tower, jumped across to where the track wiring enters the building and came out of the box with all the connections inside (the cover was partially open for some reason). A ball of lightning shot across the room and bounced off the opposite wall. Needless to say, we were done racing and had to come back the following weekend to finish the race. Fiber-optic cabling is replacing the copper wiring at some tracks, but it's an expensive alternative unless it's a new installation - the rising price for copper makes fiber optics a little more attractive for new installations and the big advantage is that it isn't a lightning rod.

09-10-2014, 08:32 AM	#6
asmyth1783 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 43 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Weather….Lightning and Drag Racing Even with fiber optics, most tracks still have to run copper power lines. Lightning and electronics just don't mix well. A direct hit to a house could take out computers, tvs, etc if they are plugged in. Likewise, a direct hit to a race track will take out timers and sensors (as well as computers and whatever else is powered up). In the case of lightning, it is always a good idea to unplug . Still a pretty cool photo!