I haven't road raced yet but had a quesiton about leaving your window down. When I autocross, they recommend that you leave the window down so you don't bust out the glass with your helmet while driving.

Does anybody leave their window down while racing on a track?

If so, are the aerodynamics of the car hurt any way? I'm just a curious person and wanted to know if anybody else has any experience with it.

Thanks
Aaron

 

Racecars dont have windows, they have window nets

HPDE cars are mandated that the windows are down, so you dont cut your face up with flying glass when you smash a tire wall or roll over.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Racecars dont have windows, they have window nets

HPDE cars are mandated that the windows are down, so you dont cut your face up with flying glass when you smash a tire wall or roll over.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yea, that sounds like good advice. Picking glass out of the face sounds like too much fun. But, are the windowless car's aerodynamics but because of this?

 

Probably, as it creates turbulent flow. But doesnt matter, since rules is rules.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Probably. But doesnt matter, since rules is rules.</TD></TR></TABLE>

thanks

 

I am always told the reason for windows down is to more easily facilitate driver extraction in the case of an accident/fire/etc, but flying glass is also a valid argument.

and honestly, on your average street car I can't imagine it making THAT big a difference.

 

You're correct - the no.1 reason for windows down is to facilitate extraction of the driver in the event of an emergency. You should NEVER autocross or do any sort of open track event / DE with your windows up. I've seen people nearly get tossed from a track for that at a high speed lapping day before. Not looked upon nicely by the safety personnel.

The question concerning aero w/ the window up vs. down is a moot point for this reason.

But to answer your question, yeh, having the window up would significantly improve aero at high speeds. But, it could also kill you in a crash.

 

That's funny. In Germany, you are required to have the windows UP. The reasoning is that if you're car rolls over, you don't / can't put your arm out the window as a reflex to try and stop the rolling.

Window down makes alot more sense.

 

Nascar has a 'insert' (window) on the passenger side of the car... but that is because the driver can't exit the car that way.

I am sure it makes quite a difference at higher speeds.

 

I use to fold my side mirrors in on Auto-X

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Faust &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">That's funny. In Germany, you are required to have the windows UP. The reasoning is that if you're car rolls over, you don't / can't put your arm out the window as a reflex to try and stop the rolling. </TD></TR></TABLE>

That is why race cars have windows nets and/or arm restraints.

Driving a street car at speed on a race track is in some ways a compromise in safety.

 

I wouldnt think it would hurt your time to much unless you are at some pretty high speeds. But its not a disadvatnage since everyone has to do it

 

[QUOTE=1gTeg90]I've seen people nearly get tossed from a track for that at a high speed lapping day before. Not looked upon nicely by the safety personnel.
QUOTE]
Yeah -- I had a gridworker beat a hole in the side of the car as a warning as I pitted out once... my instructor forgot to raise his window b/c it was February

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SPiFF &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

That is why race cars have windows nets and/or arm restraints.

Driving a street car at speed on a race track is in some ways a compromise in safety.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I forgot to mention that this is for AutoX. Not sure about race tracks.

 

I've raced auto-x'd with my windows up before (because of rain once and because of dust once) but after reading this I dont think I'll do it again.

I'd say the wind drag caused by open windows is pretty insignificant at auto-x speeds. Hey, that same drag gives you a theoretically advantage slowing down!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wspr22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I use to fold my side mirrors in on Auto-X</TD></TR></TABLE>

You should do that for other reasons than aerodynamics (i.e. eliminate possible distractions). At autox speeds, it won't make a difference.

 

I know my windows are always down to give the overhead point to pass, heh heh heh.

 

on the highway at 80mph my car is more stable and drives straighter when the windows are up, i'm sure for auto-x it doesnt make much of a difference though... btw i still have my drivers window glass in my arm from an accident i got into 3 years ago... for racing i'd leave the bastard rolled down.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by maxQ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

You should do that for other reasons than aerodynamics (i.e. eliminate possible distractions). At autox speeds, it won't make a difference.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

I always figured my mirrors were better aerodynamically unfolded, than folded in, yes they stick out into the airflow more, but thye're generally rounded, where when they are folded in, while having a smaller aero footprint, they are less aerodynamically correct in shape.

strangely enough, at every event I have been to this year, they have made me close my moonroof before taking ot the course (HPDE and AutoX) - in the past I had ALWAYS run with it open, and had once even been told specifically to open it when i had forgotten... strange

 

Also folding in your rear view mirrors helps during auto-x Aaron.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RAB &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Also folding in your rear view mirrors helps during auto-x Aaron.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I actually only look backwards after I know that I've already hit a cone.