Cold Temperature’s Paralyze Mid East Coast Racing
April 7, 2007
By Bonnie Nibblett
Delmar, DE…..Last Sunday I played April Fool on my family and friends where in many years I actually got over with my fool. What was my April Fool? I called and asked “Have you looked outside to see all the snow? There’s a couple of inches outside already on the ground, and it’s April?” My joke reciprocates’ had not looked out yet and fell for it; all of them? That was so much fun! However, it was an April Fool joke; little did I expect it to come true the following weekend. The cold weather has paralyzed the mid East coast forcing all the tracks around me to close and postpone many season openers, to consist of the neighboring states as well.
Just when everyone was ready to head to their favorite track to kick off the racing season, it was only to be disappointed with cancellations. It’s too cold for the fans, but it is too cold for the cars as well. Tires play a big factor I would assume?
The BUSCH series in Nashville this weekend was qualifying, and the temp was 32 degrees in the air, and 40 degree temp in the tires before they start. Such conditions with slick tires or sticker tires would be slippery for them if they did not use scuff tires on the start for qualifying. The tires heat up quick but it can be tricky, too.
For dirt track racing, with the cold air or near freezing temperatures it is totally different. Most clay tracks are watered over and over again even before race day and on race day as well. The clay is like a sponge and absorbs the water. Track preparers all have their own way to prepare the track and get the mixture just right to race on. The weather can play a part in any temperature, by humidity, wind, but with cold air that cold, the water in the track would freeze. The track would be like a “slide 4 five” racing.
There’s a bit more technical to all of this in getting the track ready for race night, I am sure. Just the simplicity of the weather is just one of them, though. Not all tracks have the same consistency in the texture as the next track does in the clay make up of each track. That’s why we all love going to other tracks to see racing.
I just found this to be a bit of info to help fans understand why a lot of racing was canceled in the mid East coast this weekend other than snow. Much more goes into getting the track ready for a good night of racing. It’s not just opened the gate and let them in and let’s go racing; it does not work like that. A lot of prep goes into the entire facility for each race night.
This coming weekend Friday and Saturday, April 13th & 14th will kick off both half-mile oval tracks in Delaware. Georgetown Speedway will host the fast big block modifieds on Friday, along with the two GM crate classes of late models and modified. Gate open at 5 PM, cars take to the track at 7 PM. The following week the super late models will return. Check the tracks hot line for more info at 302-856-7415 or visit the tracks web www.georgetownspeedway.com.
Saturday, April 14, 2007, the Delaware International Speedway will start the 36th season of the tracks start. The super fast Late Models, rumbling big block Modifieds, Street Modifieds to include the AC Delco TSS Late Models, AC Delco TSS Modified, and the power punch Modified Lites. Gates open 5 PM, hot laps start at 7 PM. Next week the mighty URC Sprints will hit the Delaware clay. Check the tracks hot line at 302-846-3968 or visit the tracks we www.delawareracing.com.
Both tracks will offer a great night of family fun racing! Rather tight corners at Delmar or the big wide super fast oval at Georgetown, you sure should be able to scratch your NEED FOR SPEED itch. Other than those two tracks racing, more will start in Delaware. Delmarva Motorsports Park offers Friday night action with micros, and mod lite, and mod lite jr. classes, along with new design changes to the track, and additional new divisions to race. Friday, and Saturday night also feeds karters with the US 13 Kart Track, on Friday, and Club Milton on Saturday for outlaw racing. Gate open at 5 PM.
For all your Delaware racing news and action visit www.redbud69racing.com. Check the message board powered by Bi-Rite Auto Sales, of Seaford, DE, for all the dirt! Look for Redbud69racing.com hats coming soon. Also fans can now purchase decals for their personal cars. See you at the track?