After nearly passing out during my cool down lap and having a hard time keeping my head up/eyes open after I pulled into hot pit I'm beginning to think I really should start to set aside money to get a driver cooling system by next summer. One of our guys runs one that has both a cold water shirt as well as air for the driver's helmet. He said he paid a grand for his I just can't afford something like that. I started the race with a freezer bag full of ice against my chest in my driver suit and it kept for decently cool for about 6 laps, so I'm thinking the cool shirt might be enough. Does anyone in here run anything of the sort? Brands to look at? Things to avoid? Places to get them cheap? Any experience/advice would be greatly appreciated.

edit: this is what he had
http://www.ogracing.com/eshop/...d=908


Modified by Apocalypse at 2:28 PM 7/7/2003

 

I have an Ice Vest but have only used it once (July at Mid-Ohio in the 90s) with very good results. It is the orange mesh vest that velcros frozen ice gel packets to it. Don't know what they cost exactly but much cheaper and lighter than the circulated cooler systems. The only issue is that it works best and longest when they are truly frozen and not just cold so you'll need access to a real freezer or something (have thought about dry ice kept in a styrofoam cooler). just keeping them in a regular ice and water cooler doesn't get them that cold and they would actually warm up from being frozen if your cooler water/ice was not cold enough.

Don't know how it would have done this weekend but it certainly would have helped. Just make sure sure you have a T-shirt on underneath as frozen stuff on bare skin can be too much Cold, hard nipples can be a good thing but on track is not the best time.

 

Some of the SRX-7 guys shove ziplock bags full of ice cubes into their suits.

Do you have any ventilation? A windown mounted vent with a hose aimed at your neck could do wonders.

 

IceVest works well. the trick is to recharge the ice packs between sessions. I use a cooler with dry ice packed in zip-lock freezer bags. Place the ice packs between the dry ice and in no time - rock solid

7 lbs of dry ice ($.99 per pound) lasted all weekend...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Crack Monkey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Some of the SRX-7 guys shove ziplock bags full of ice cubes into their suits.

Do you have any ventilation? A windown mounted vent with a hose aimed at your neck could do wonders.</TD></TR></TABLE>

done and done.... The ice only last about 5 laps and the window vent doesn't catch enough air to make a difference with a 3-layer suit, helmet and donut because the only exposed skin is about half my face.

edit: The ice did wonders on Saturday and I felt completely fine. A combination of low level sunburn from riding around on the 4-wheeler all day and hotter weather overwhelmed any effect the ice had Sunday. The water was actually luke warm when I pulled it out of my suit.

 

I used an ice vest at Summit, and it worked pretty well except for the end of the "enduro" on Saturday. I bought a &lt;$70.00 minifridge at Wal-Mart on the way to the track Friday, and it worked fine to keep the ice packs frozen(and drinking water cool). Have to have 110v available for that though.

BTW, an enclosed trailer with 110v, a box fan, a fridge full of cold water,and a lounge chair made all the difference between just "uncomfortable" and "Screw this, I'm going home" for me.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Geezer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">BTW, an enclosed trailer with 110v, a box fan, a fridge full of cold water,and a lounge chair made all the difference between just "uncomfortable" and "Screw this, I'm going home" for me.</TD></TR></TABLE>

We had plenty of ice cold drinks and even an air conditioned trailer but it just didn't seem to be enough to keep me out of the back of the ambulance on Sunday. I actually got to a point through the course of the day on Sunday where I felt ill because I had consumed so much liquid. I felt like I was going to burst or some ****.

 

Drew and I are currently working on making a budget system (which will likely be the exact same as the $1000 systems). I'll keep you all posted on the details.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JMU1337 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Drew and I are currently working on making a budget system (which will likely be the exact same as the $1000 systems). I'll keep you all posted on the details.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I had the same idea when I examined one of those "cool shirts" that is really just vinyl tubing sewn onto a hanes t-shirt. someone with a good sewing machine should be able to replicate it for cheap. The pump mechanism I dont know....but Im sure it could be duplicated as well

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JMU1337 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Drew and I are currently working on making a budget system (which will likely be the exact same as the $1000 systems). I'll keep you all posted on the details.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I think you should let me "field test" it at VIR.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JMU1337 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Drew and I are currently working on making a budget system (which will likely be the exact same as the $1000 systems). I'll keep you all posted on the details.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Most, if not all, of the parts can be had at an aquarium supply store

 

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

Most, if not all, of the parts can be had at an aquarium supply store</TD></TR></TABLE>

I really have a hard time believing one of those cheesey aquarium pumps will do the trick. I'll believe the mock-up when I see it.

 

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

I really have a hard time believing one of those cheesey aquarium pumps will do the trick. I'll believe the mock-up when I see it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

If not the pump then the t00bing and fittings can be had there.

 

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

If not the pump then the t00bing and fittings can be had there. </TD></TR></TABLE>

The quick release dry fittings can not be found there. I agree the tubing could be had from the store, but it is larger than the stuff found on the commercial version. I say this as someone who was into aquariums for years and knows what products are available. I don't doubt that a system can be made at home for less but I don't believe a decent system that works as well as the commercial version can be made as cheaply as most people think. I question the effectiveness, long-term reliability as well as the "ghetto factor" of a homemade version. I would love for Mike and Drew to acheive it though, as it would save me a ton of cash.

 

Anyone else feel like Seinfeld watching Kramer and Newman scheme up something?

Chris, the info I have been told is that what ever you do to cool your chest/body, it is insignificant to the benefit of cooling your head. Having said that, I run a cool suit (w/ ice box) and have been for quite some time. I would not say I get out of the car "refreshed" but where it does seem to pay off is waiting on grid and if you can remember to turn on-off during a race, it offers nice temporary cooling (but your body adjusts pretty quickly thus why it seems more effective to turn on and off). Other things I try to do is eat potassium rich foods and drink lots of fluids approaching a race weekend and try stay away from caffeine and diaretics as much as possible. Also, I am not sure which systems cost 1000 dollars but if one does, it should include FA helmet and a two stage cooling box (head/body). I got my "Cool-Suit" w/ shirt/tubing/cooler for less than 75 bucks second hand.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by phat-S &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Also, I am not sure which systems cost 1000 dollars but if one does, it should include FA helmet and a two stage cooling box (head/body). </TD></TR></TABLE>

This one did... which is impressive but still FAR too expensive. My concern is spending money on something that doesn't work. If I could find something for a couple hundred bucks that will keep me "realtively cooler" than I'll spend the cash... especially a used system.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Apocalypse &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">This one did... which is impressive but still FAR too expensive. My concern is spending money on something that doesn't work. If I could find something for a couple hundred bucks that will keep me "realtively cooler" than I'll spend the cash... especially a used system.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hmm... ought to buy a new helmet anyways.... hmm.....

 

I suggest a call to Rich Shafer at "Cool Shirt."

Going by memory, I think his systems are less than $400 and appear to work well. I noticed a couple of Trans Am drivers were wearing them at Burke Lakefront yesterday.

And if you haven't looked closely at the "tubing sewn to a hanes T-Shirt." Do so before you attempt to duplicate it. It won't be easy.
But hey, there may be a couple of master seamstresses among you, so go for it.

 

Check out Pegasus for the bits and pieces for forced air or circulating H20. A modified beer cooler for over $100...

Build a redneck version with garden hose, surgical tubing, a sixer cooler, and a small sumppump...and don't forget the duct tape.

 

I have a cool shirt from Shafer Enterprises and it works great.

If you build one, you need to consider a small submersible bilge pump from a marine store.

 

I've been using this: http://www.ltbmotorsport.com/coolshirt.html (Club System) for three years and it is really great. Since it gets pretty hot here, I use it just about every race except for maybe the first and last races of the year when it's still nice outside. I turn it on maybe once every one or two laps for about 10 seconds at a time (usually on the longest straight), then for the last quarter of the race I just leave it on (if I don't forget about it!). It's really nice to have it in the grid, too. It feels like you dip in a cold pool of water every time you turn it on for more than 5-10 seconds. The only downside of a cool shirt is if it ever stops working, you are stuck with it on under your suit.

Another tip, regardless if you have a cool shirt or not, is while on grid on a really hot day, just pour a whole bottle of water over the back of your neck. If you can get your suit wet, it will much better keep you cool as air passes through the car. Finally, on race weekends I probably drink more gallons of water during the weekend than I do for the following two weeks. As soon as I set foot at the track in the morning I start drinking regularly. I drink water when not thirsty, so I never reach the point of being thirsty at any time during the weekend. This keeps you hydrated. For me, I know I'm staying hydrated when I (literally) use the bathroom 4-5 times each day! During my second ECR in my first year racing, it was 90+ outside, for some reason I was wearing a nice thick t-shirt under my thick 3 layer G-force suit (one day I'll get my hands on one of those ultra thin momo/sparco suits!), cooked in grid for about 15 minutes and then ran for just over an hr for my stint. I actually came in two laps early as I couldn't take it any more. As I got out of the car I felt extremely sick and couldn’t even stand. I was sure that I would be making a mess all over the pit box, but luckily it never did happen. So for me this bad experience really taught me a lesson early on: keep saturated in water each day at the track and do what it takes to keep your body temps cool during the hot races.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Most, if not all, of the parts can be had at an aquarium supply store</TD></TR></TABLE>

Actually very few of the parts can be had at an aquarium supply store. The hose *may* be the only thing but even then it will be limited choices and sizes as aquarium systems generally use 2 sizes - 1 for air feeds and 1 for filtration systems.

 

well i'm a dummy then...

show us what ya got... i would be interested in this just for HPDE events.

 

we've got nothing so far, just some rough plans and a list of items we need to acquire (and where to get them).

 

If you guys are looking at DIY stuff, take a lesson from the computer overclocking crowd. They build hom-made watercooled rigs all the time, and might have some fittings, etc. that might help you out. YOU guys can find the heater-cores, but THEY got the 92mm 12v fans, heheeh.

Places to start looking: dangerden.com frozencpu.com

the eheim pump, although a semi-aquarium pump is a pretty dam quality product.

-PHiZ