Is this still in effect ? I switched my coolant out for Engine Ice a week or so ago at $22 after shipping to get it to me and a pain in the ass to flush the old stuff BTW . I've heard stories that this stuff is still slick and hard to clean up if it gets on the track though . Why would it still be approved ? Is Poly still slick like Ethyl Glycol ? Sure would be nice to have a little more cold weather protection and not have to switch back and forth . I'm just asking for your average street/trackday rider as I will switch back to Water Wetter in the dedicated trackbike ....
Tell me about it.... I use WW added to distilled water, but here in the NE, winter temps require a change at the end of each riding season for anti-freeze protection. Engine Ice is excellent, but one of the clubs I ride in doesn't allow it for the A-level group. Too bad because I actually did a test and splashed some on the street and it wasn't slick at all.... I sure wish there was something that was universally accepted for all tracks/clubs AND provided anti-freeze protection... guess I need to move back to California...
I assume that beginners do not need to drain the coolant, just tape the lights? I have a friend asking as he's attending an STT event in June.
I Started off in the Novice group with STT and now ride in the "I" group. I would like to know the reason why the N group can ride with Anti freeze, and we in the "I" group have to use a substitute. Dont get me wrong, i do abide by the rules, but is is a pain in the butt, maybe this is using my logic, but are we saying that the N group rider can crash and spill Antifreeze on the track, but the I group rider crashes and it does make a difference??? There are some faster riders in the N group who will move up to the I group and they, like me wonder why we have to do this, It does'nt make sense really, does it???
You're lucky that you live in Florida so you really don't even need antifreeze (I lived right down the road in Stuart for a year)... you can run distilled water/WW all year long... We're not that fortunate here in colder climates... FWIW, there really is no logic to it, however IMO, I would say that newbies probably aren't crashing as much as Intermediates.... and when they do crash, they probably aren't crashing as hard, so there is less chance that the crash will result in a fluid spill.
Some of the reasons for not requiring a coolant change for the novice group are: We want as many riders to experience how much safer the track is than the street. Some would have never found this out if they had to change their coolant. We want to give as many riders as possible the opportunity to improve their riding. Again, some would have never had this if they had to change their coolant. We are in control of the pace for all the riders/groups in the novice group. In the "I" group the riders are pretty much on their own and the pace is whatever they want, some ride at "A" pace. "Changing coolant is a pain" Be glad we do not require everything safety wired. Also the hours of sitting around while the track tries to clear up anti-freeze on the does not fall into the fun category in my book. But You are correct that you can have anti-freeze spilled from a 2 mph crash, but from a 100 mph one is more likely. At least 1/2 the "I" group is riding faster than the top 1 or 2 novice groups. Bottom line is it is a STT rule just like the 6 ft rule, you just have to accept it.
Please dont get me wrong, i do accept it, as i said in my post, "i do abide by the rules" i wasnt complaining about it, just wondering why. All the above comments have been gratefully recieved and iam fortunate that i live in Florida and do not have to keep changing from one to the other. I accept all STT rules and i am very gratefull they are there for the safety of all us riders, I will be riding at Roebling road on 23 June, first time i will have ridden at this track, i would take any comments about what i should look out for, i have hesrd good things about the layout. Keep up the good work STT staff.
The Roebling Rd is a nice track, they just repaved it before this season so it it smooth no cracks and it had plenty of grip, back in Feb. No elevation changes at all it is similar to JenningsGP.No concrete pad in the paddock,just pack sand/grass but plenty of asphalt roads inside the paddock so yo can keep most of teh sand off your tire between session. Showers on site - not the best but they are there & camping is allowed,.Everything on on the inside of the track so once the day start your not getting out until later in the day. The run off areas can be soft, sandy and in some areas not a lot of space. Just looking at the track map I thought it would be slow but you can get alot of speed up coming off the 2nd to the last right hand turn and back onto the straightaway. I saw a YouTube video 180mph down the straight into turn 1 at ~ 100-90. I'm nowhere near that speed. See you at the track 23-24th