Why do race cars not have AC?

First things first, race cars don't come equipped with air-conditioning — seriously — there is no air! The air-conditioning adds unjustifiable weight and slows down racing performance.

Do race car drivers have air conditioning?

DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY, Fla. – NASCAR drivers have no air conditioning and spend hours on a hot racetrack behind a burning engine. Keeping racecar drivers cool isn't an option but making sure they don't overheat and consume enough calories is as close as they'll get if they want to win the championship.

Why don't nascars have AC?

Air conditioning a racecar would take a lot of energy and the unit would be a lot larger than the one in your passenger car because we're talking about getting rid of a lot more heat. The driver isn't going to feel much of that air if it comes out via a vent.

Why do NASCAR cars get so hot?

Papadakis explains that NASCAR engines run at around 290 Fahrenheit, or around 90F higher than a standard road car engine. This reduces required airflow through the radiator and allows teams to tape larger sections of their grilles shut.

Why do you turn the AC off when racing?

The a/c compressor is connected to the engine and consumes a certain amount of power produced by the engine to run. While climbing a hill the vehicle needs more torque to overcome the steep incline. Switching off the a/c reduces the extra load on the engine to run the a/c compressor.

Racing-pedia: Race car air conditioning for drivers to cool down

Why does AC take away horsepower?

The reason for this issue is that your air conditioning system is directly tied to your motor—so as you cool off you're effectively applying some of your horsepower when you set your climate controls to cold air.

Does AC rob horsepower?

Your car's AC system is powered by the engine

According to Your Mechanic, the car does this in order to offset the power drawn by the AC system, so there's no doubt that the system robs your engine of horsepower when it's activated.

What RPM do Nascar engines run at?

At the backbone 1.5- to 2.0-mile tri-oval tracks of NASCAR, the engines produce over 850 hp running 9,200-9,400 rpm for 500 miles, 600 mi for the Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte race. The current NASCAR Cup engines curb weight is roughly at 575 lb (261 kg).

How fast would a NASCAR stock car go?

How fast are the NASCAR cars? The average top speed of a NASCAR car is just over 321km/h, or 200mph. Compared to a Formula 1 car, this is quite a bit slower, as they hit speeds of 360km/h (223mph). Indycar – another major American racing series – is faster still, reaching speeds of 380km/h (236mph).

Why do NASCARs not have windows?

According to the Fox Sport announce team, several drivers stick their hand right up by the opening of the window net — remember that NASCAR race cars don't have windows on the driver side for safety reasons — to try to reduce the amount of air flowing into the cockpit.

Why does Dodge not run in NASCAR anymore?

Dodge has had multiple stints in NASCAR, most recently from 2001-12, but it left after winning a championship with Team Penske and Brad Keselowski. Penske was switching to Ford, and Dodge said it could not find another top-tier team to partner.

How hot can it get in a race car?

“It's usually about 30 to 40 degrees [Fahrenheit] hotter inside the car than the outside ambient temperature,“ said David Ragan, a driver in NASCAR's premier division for 11 years. This means that if it is 90 F and sunny for a Sunday afternoon race, the temperature inside the car can climb over 130 F inside the car.

How hot is it inside a Formula 1 car?

The Formula One car cockpit, subject to track and weather conditions, normally surpasses 112 degrees Fahrenheit (44 Centigrade). With these scorching temperatures, the F1 drivers and vehicles should be equipped with advanced technology to not place the driver or the car in a hazardous situation.

How hot does a NASCAR engine get?

The normal operating temperature for a NASCAR Sprint Cup engine varies among teams, but most run in the 230 to 260 degree range.

Is it hot inside a race car?

Protecting the Driver

The inside of a NASCAR race car is typically 30 to 40 degrees hotter than it is on the outside. Combined with summer heat and a vehicle can reach more than 100 degrees, and did we mention race cars don't have AC systems because of the additional weight it adds to the vehicle.

How do race car drivers go to the toilet?

Most F1 Drivers pee in their suits when they feel the urge for it. They will feel discomfort for a short time when their suit becomes wet. The reason for this is the heat in the cockpit. The heat will dry the suits pretty quickly.

How much HP does a NASCAR engine make?

The engines in today's NASCAR race cars produce upward of 750 horsepower, and they do it without turbochargers, superchargers or particularly exotic components.

How fast is a NASCAR 0 to 60?

NASCAR's weight

These stock cars featuring V-8 engines can reach top speeds of up to 200 mph, and can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4. seconds.

What is the fastest speed in NASCAR history?

Bill Elliott's 212-mph performance during qualifying for the Winston 500 at Talladega in 1987 has stood the test of time.

What is the MPG of NASCAR?

At race speeds, Cup Series cars get 2 to 5 miles per gallon. Consumption under caution can be estimated at 14-18 mpg, based on comparable engines generally available to the public.

What is the octane of NASCAR fuel?

The specialized NASCAR fuel is Sunoco Green E15, a 98 octane, unleaded fuel blend specifically engineered for high-performance engines and race cars. It's called Green E15 because the racing fuel is actually green in color.

How much fuel is in a NASCAR fuel can?

A race car's gas tank holds 22 gallons. The gas comes from a central tank to ensure teams don't add additives. The gas cans used to refill cars hold 11 gallons each and weigh about 70 pounds when full. Racing gas is leaded, 104 octane. Development of an unleaded racing fuel is a year or two away.

Can an AC be too powerful?

The AC will begin to short-cycle: If an air conditioner is too powerful for the space it's supposed to cool, the thermostat will register too early that the air conditioner's job is finished and shut off the compressor prematurely.

Can AC make you weak?

Affects Indoor Air

If you work in an air-conditioned building with poor ventilation, it can raise your risk of “sick building syndrome.” Symptoms include headaches, dry cough, dizziness and nausea, trouble concentrating, fatigue, and sensitivity to odors.

Does revving engine make AC work faster?

Your car air conditioning works much better when you're actually driving because the faster the engine turns, the faster the AC compressor runs, which lets the system cool more effectively. Don't waste time and gas by letting your car run before you go.