I've seen several tracks closing this weekend due to excessive heat.
Is it really that much hotter than in year's past?
Heartland Park, SRCA,and Atco to name a few.

nope, just where we are at as a country and the first time I had seen this was several years ago.

I’m sure it’s tracks protecting themselves from low turnouts. Here in Georgia we will have heat indexes above 115 degrees at times.

Tracks are in it to make money, no crowd no money. I can say that years back I didn't care how hot it was, now I'll be in my pool when it's hot.

Well there is low car counts, the heat certainly is making that worse. also there is a problem getting traction compound and when you add everything up it makes it harder for them to open.

^^^This^^^

As has been said here hundreds of times.Nost of folks racing are older since few younger ones joining sport. Old guys in high heat can be bad combo. I know when it gets in 90's I have to drop the blood pressure meds because I get drunker than shyt if b end over and stand back up.

Not really worried about what track does on excessive heat because at 90 plus I am out.

Bodie had a race a week ago Sacramento, 11 teams went home. Too hot!

Curious how hot was too hot?
If 100+ is predicted I probably wouldn't go to begin with, but if I'm already there it would take ugly heat for me to leave.
Now remember I'm talking like a guy that has no racetracks within 400-500 miles of my house. If it was an hour tow home I might sing an entirely different tune first time I suited up in my firesuit. lol

I`ve raced in 105 degree temps with the air at 5800FT. 20 - 30 years ago nobody cared how hot it was. We all went racing. We`ve gotten a little out of had with the weather. If a half inch of snow falls, they shut down the whole town and Schools. 90 degree weather, same thing.

A few years ago we raced it was 118* and humid. It was a points race and I felt I had to be there. Had it not been a points race I think car count would have been much lower. Plus it was a pretty long haul to that track. If gas prices were as high as they are now I do not know if I would have done it. Often here it is not surviving the race it is surviving the heat.

Last Saturday it was 106* and both my cars were in Final round. I did not get home until 7:00 AM. Yes, it is always good to Win and better when both your cars are running each other in Final but it was brutally hot and makes you wonder if it is worth it. They started a little later because of the heat but it did not help much.

Or with gas prices like they are now in addition to being hot would have hurt car count and spectators.

There is one track a few weeks ago that cancelled a race they said because of the heat, traction compound shortage and Gas prices. I can not blame them to stand around in the heat all day and lose money.

So to answer your question I do not think the heat is the only factor but it is a large one in addition to gas prices, traction compound, insurance and other things tracks have to deal with.

quote:

Originally posted by 434 olds:
I`ve raced in 105 degree temps with the air at 5800FT. 20 - 30 years ago nobody cared how hot it was. We all went racing. We`ve gotten a little out of had with the weather. If a half inch of snow falls, they shut down the whole town and Schools. 90 degree weather, same thing.

So true.

I remember my t shirt hanging to my knees because it was so wet from sweat. Still racing though.. Now, I have friends stay home because it's to hot..lol

Dave

I remember bench pressing 350 when I was 40. At 56 I am not even in the neighborhood of 250 much less 350.

I remember er Memphis being ungodly hot. Literaly 104 in shade and all concrete pits. When I was 25 and about to pass out, now I would succeed and be on the ground or back of the emergency vehicle. Pretty are quite a few in a similar boat.,

quote:

Originally posted by 434 olds:
I`ve raced in 105 degree temps with the air at 5800FT. 20 - 30 years ago nobody cared how hot it was. We all went racing. We`ve gotten a little out of had with the weather. If a half inch of snow falls, they shut down the whole town and Schools. 90 degree weather, same thing.

Quoted for the truth! Americans are soft, weak and woke now.

Call me what you will, 20-30 years ago I wasn't 58. I'm a one man show at the races and I will be home this weekend.

In my karting days. ya when your young, you think you are invincible. All it took was one time of having a heat stroke. You learn real quick, it will take you "OUT". It was 103 out. Thank God for the Medics at the track. Don't try to be a hero.

When I was younger (30/40/50/60/70) I raced in temperatures exceeding 110 many times but with very little humidity.

A few years ago when I was back home in Reading Pennsylvania for a graduating class reunion we found ourselves in 94 degree temperature with 95% + humidity, thought I was going to cook to death. I really don't know how you guys suit up and race in high humidity. I would be looking for a "Cool Suit", no matter how expensive they might be.

I am well beyond the "Punishing myself stage" to have fun racing.

Bob

quote:

Originally posted by CURTIS REED:
Call me what you will, 20-30 years ago I wasn't 58. I'm a one man show at the races and I will be home this weekend.

I’ll be 61 next week, I ain’t over weight, in great shape for my age and 100+ degrees days at the track ain’t stopping me!

Racing in heat, we do it pretty often in Las Vegas. Our local bracket program likes to run us during the peak temps of the day with the sun beating on us. While we do shut down in July/Aug. & that just makes sense for all racers.

I'm going on 60 in late Aug. & have been very physically active all my life. I'm not going to blow a bunch of keyboard dribble as some do. The heat is not going to stop me/us, but it does affect us. There's a difference of being at the track (shorts & short sleeve) & actually racing in the hot temps.

Till then, the majority of us will pick & choose when to strap in the seat, put on the brain bucket & compete.

It's July, always hot, at least in Texas. 101 - 108, still just hot as always.