Traction compound and tracks that hook.

Greg Hill · 05-31-2011, 06:22 PM

I received an e-mail from a fellow racer that feels like we should call track operators and ask what traction compound they are using before making a long trip to a race only to be disappointed by a lousy race track. After being in Bowling Green this weekend and seeing how well a properly prepared race track can be I have to say i agree with him. Bowling Green uses VHT exclusively and the racing surface was unbelievable this weekend. I was on the starting line quite a bit and didn't see anyone spin at all this weekend. It was 93 degrees on Sunday and the sun was beating down on the race track,track temp had to be at least 130.

Contrast this with Indy a few weeks ago where the starting line was very marginal and several racers spun badly in the first or second round. First time trial Saturday morning I had a 2.74 60'. A nice young lady that works for the track came by my pit space and asked if I was coming back to the combo race the next weekend. I told her I wouldn't be back next weekend and she wanted to know why. I very plainly said because you have a crappy starting line.

The point I'm trying to make is that Bowling Green was using VHT traction compound and when you walked out on the starting line it would pull your shoe off. Indy was using VP and it was about like the concrete floor in a garage. It wasn't sticky at all. All you track operators that are trying to save money on your traction compound just remember the worst thing that can happen to a race track is to get a reputation for a crappy starting line. Nothing will hurt you worse except for some one stealing all your money at the gate.
Oh by the way Indy had 5 cars for their big combo race and Bowling Green had 98.

John DiBartolomeo · 05-31-2011, 06:31 PM

It's not always just the traction compound material. Newest issue of Drag Racing Action magazine has a two-part story on track prep. Should be out on the newsstands in about a week.

Greg Hill · 05-31-2011, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John DiBartolomeo

It's not always just the traction compound material. Newest issue of Drag Racing Action magazine has a two-part story on track prep. Should be out on the newsstands in about a week.

John I just go by personal experience. The places that use VHT and know how to mix it are almost always good. I do realize there are other issues that can come into play but I have been to too many race tracks lately that have been using VP and its smooth and black with no stick.

Larry Hill · 05-31-2011, 08:24 PM

Greg, what does Ohio Valley use? We are planning on coming to the combo race on Saturday and it is supposed to be hot.

Wayne Kerr · 05-31-2011, 08:27 PM

90° ambient and full sun at No Problem and....................
NO PROBLEM HOOKING.

Nice Job Guys.

See you at the races,
Wayne Kerr

Michael Beard · 05-31-2011, 08:59 PM

I've seen subtle changes over the years, and people have adapted or become accustomed to what they can and cannot accomplish. I've been to some tracks where people just raved about the incredible traction, whereas I noticed a number of cars having problems, prompting me to think, "So that's what passes for incredible traction these days..."

On a somewhat related note, I STILL see people leave the line trailing rocks, sand, and debris out of their rocker panels, dumping it right in front of their own slicks. Clean your wheel wells in the staging lanes, or do something to prevent debris from collecting there in the first place.

Jason · 05-31-2011, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne Kerr

90° ambient and full sun at No Problem and....................
NO PROBLEM HOOKING.

Nice Job Guys.

See you at the races,
Wayne Kerr

Okay it hooks, so tell us what they use at No Problem. Inquiring minds want to know.

Looks like Greg is trying to make a point. Who uses VP and who uses VHT? Enough data and racers will decide where to race based on the traction compound used there. Then maybe some track operators will sit up, take notice, and quit listening to snake oil salesmen.

Greg Hill · 06-01-2011, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Hill

Greg, what does Ohio Valley use? We are planning on coming to the combo race on Saturday and it is supposed to be hot.

Larry. Ohio Valley switched back to VHT this year and the track has been excellent. Their prior use of VP cost them a lot of racers.

Ed Wright · 06-01-2011, 08:39 AM

My experience with VP has not been good. Stick cars, and others that need wheel speed appear to like VP better. Too much spraying and not enough dragging is what many smaller tracks seem to lean toward. They just don't know. VHT now comes pre mixed with methanol, and one local guy told me two drums supposedly the same mix are often different colors. Makes you wonder.

05-31-2011, 06:22 PM	#1
Greg Hill VIP Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Louisville , KY Posts: 1,995 Likes: 65 Liked 270 Times in 68 Posts	Traction compound and tracks that hook. I received an e-mail from a fellow racer that feels like we should call track operators and ask what traction compound they are using before making a long trip to a race only to be disappointed by a lousy race track. After being in Bowling Green this weekend and seeing how well a properly prepared race track can be I have to say i agree with him. Bowling Green uses VHT exclusively and the racing surface was unbelievable this weekend. I was on the starting line quite a bit and didn't see anyone spin at all this weekend. It was 93 degrees on Sunday and the sun was beating down on the race track,track temp had to be at least 130. Contrast this with Indy a few weeks ago where the starting line was very marginal and several racers spun badly in the first or second round. First time trial Saturday morning I had a 2.74 60'. A nice young lady that works for the track came by my pit space and asked if I was coming back to the combo race the next weekend. I told her I wouldn't be back next weekend and she wanted to know why. I very plainly said because you have a crappy starting line. The point I'm trying to make is that Bowling Green was using VHT traction compound and when you walked out on the starting line it would pull your shoe off. Indy was using VP and it was about like the concrete floor in a garage. It wasn't sticky at all. All you track operators that are trying to save money on your traction compound just remember the worst thing that can happen to a race track is to get a reputation for a crappy starting line. Nothing will hurt you worse except for some one stealing all your money at the gate. Oh by the way Indy had 5 cars for their big combo race and Bowling Green had 98. __________________ Greg Hill 4171 STK Last edited by Greg Hill; 05-31-2011 at 07:00 PM.

05-31-2011, 06:31 PM	#2
John DiBartolomeo Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Beaver Springs, PA Posts: 494 Likes: 1 Liked 1,283 Times in 159 Posts	Re: Traction compound and tracks that hook. It's not always just the traction compound material. Newest issue of Drag Racing Action magazine has a two-part story on track prep. Should be out on the newsstands in about a week. __________________ John DiBartolomeo DRC Race Products DragRacingActionOnline.com

05-31-2011, 08:24 PM	#4
Larry Hill Live Reporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hickory, Ky Posts: 10,391 Likes: 1,706 Liked 9,760 Times in 2,039 Posts	Re: Traction compound and tracks that hook. Greg, what does Ohio Valley use? We are planning on coming to the combo race on Saturday and it is supposed to be hot. __________________ IHM Used Parts https://ihmusedparts.com 888-821-1817

05-31-2011, 08:27 PM	#5
Wayne Kerr Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Out to Lunch Posts: 190 Likes: 2 Liked 26 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Traction compound and tracks that hook. 90° ambient and full sun at No Problem and.................... NO PROBLEM HOOKING. Nice Job Guys. See you at the races, Wayne Kerr

05-31-2011, 08:59 PM	#6
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Traction compound and tracks that hook. I've seen subtle changes over the years, and people have adapted or become accustomed to what they can and cannot accomplish. I've been to some tracks where people just raved about the incredible traction, whereas I noticed a number of cars having problems, prompting me to think, "So that's what passes for incredible traction these days..." On a somewhat related note, I STILL see people leave the line trailing rocks, sand, and debris out of their rocker panels, dumping it right in front of their own slicks. Clean your wheel wells in the staging lanes, or do something to prevent debris from collecting there in the first place. __________________ Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS

06-01-2011, 08:39 AM	#9
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 389 Times in 168 Posts	Re: Traction compound and tracks that hook. My experience with VP has not been good. Stick cars, and others that need wheel speed appear to like VP better. Too much spraying and not enough dragging is what many smaller tracks seem to lean toward. They just don't know. VHT now comes pre mixed with methanol, and one local guy told me two drums supposedly the same mix are often different colors. Makes you wonder. __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA