Staying cool in a dragster

June 29, 2025, 01:22 PM

RPROGAS

I wear a vest and hydrate (only water) on really hot day, I'm far from being a kid (84) anymore so my energy and focus levels are substantially lower than when I was younger. I never drink sodas, or as Scotty called them, "Crack in a can". That immediate rush is usually followed by a sluggish feeling that extends over a longer period. Stay away from meat and heavy foods on race day and lose that extra weight.

Heat has a minimal effect on me (up to 100) but humidity (anything over 85%) is a killer so a few minutes in the air conditioned motorhome really helps. Not a lot of advice you haven't heard before but it's all I can contribute.

Bob

June 29, 2025, 01:50 PM

Bucky

quote:
Originally posted by RPROGAS:
I wear a vest and hydrate (only water) on really hot day, I'm far from being a kid (84) anymore so my energy and focus levels are substantially lower than when I was younger. I never drink sodas, or as Scotty called them, "Crack in a can". That immediate rush is usually followed by a sluggish feeling that extends over a longer period. Stay away from meat and heavy foods on race day and lose that extra weight.

Heat has a minimal effect on me (up to 100) but humidity (anything over 85%) is a killer so a few minutes in the air conditioned motorhome really helps. Not a lot of advice you haven't heard before but it's all I can contribute.

Bob

The humidity in Illinois makes it extra bad. You just get wet and there is no evaluative body cooling.
I think I’m going to try a vest. Usually it a diet soda on the way home. Might do a sports drink if I have run through a lot of water in a day.

June 29, 2025, 02:09 PM

RPROGAS

Maybe NHRA should develop a "Seniors" Class since they have a "Juniors" Class. Bucky, you Ferny and I would be perfect for the class. Ever look around and notice the age of a lot of NHRA Competitors? Almost none of them are kids. Come to think of it, a few of my kids would qualify, (Over 60).

Bob

June 29, 2025, 03:48 PM

Bucky

quote:
Originally posted by RPROGAS:
Maybe NHRA should develop a "Seniors" Class since they have a "Juniors" Class. Bucky, you Ferny and I would be perfect for the class. Ever look around and notice the age of a lot of NHRA Competitors? Almost none of them are kids. Come to think of it, a few of my kids would qualify, (Over 60).
Discounted licenses and entry fees too please!
Bob

June 29, 2025, 05:32 PM

Top355x

I remember seeing a post somewhere years ago I guy took a bilge pump for a boat and mounted it like next to steering column so would blow air on him thought was a neat idea I have a cool shirt with the bag but not sure we’re to put the bag while in car thinking about making a mount like on firewall plate behind drivers compartment

June 30, 2025, 11:32 AM

Jodie Jent

quote:
Originally posted by RPROGAS:
Maybe NHRA should develop a "Seniors" Class since they have a "Juniors" Class. Bucky, you Ferny and I would be perfect for the class. Ever look around and notice the age of a lot of NHRA Competitors? Almost none of them are kids. Come to think of it, a few of my kids would qualify, (Over 60).

Bob

off topic but ya know I always thought it would be cool to see some 32 or preferably 64 car shootouts of racers say 60 years old and older. Be kinda cool to see some older racers we have all looked up to and raced against battling it out. I think it would be a good one to watch.

I like the idea.

June 30, 2025, 12:03 PM

Lenny5160

I don't drive my dragster very often, but with the convertible top open it always feels much cooler than being closed up in the door car.

June 30, 2025, 03:27 PM

David Gerard

On the golf cart, we push the Top Dragster with, I have a big golf umbrella slid behind the seats.

If there is some kind of delay, I can whip it out to cover Steve in the car from the direct sun.

Not a lot of help, everything helps!

June 30, 2025, 05:02 PM

CURTIS REED

Sorry, you can’t be cool in a dragster. LOL

Pretty sure Top meant bilge fan not pump.

June 30, 2025, 05:56 PM

Top355x

Correct sorry not a boat guy

June 30, 2025, 06:39 PM

Dave Koehler

I had a OG client tell me he finished and ran his "retirement" car. I asked what it was. It was a door car with a lot less HP than he normally worked with. He was aiming at local heads up or super pro. Just to keep driving.

The big reveal was that it had air conditioning.
He had made up a drainable catch basin to catch the condensation.
He stated it was so much fun tooling around watching the younger guys sweat and look miserable.
Sounds like a plan.

June 30, 2025, 07:10 PM

CURTIS REED

quote:
Originally posted by Top355x:
Correct sorry not a boat guy

That gives me more respect for you then.

July 04, 2025, 08:01 AM

Top355x

Actually if you look at the thread on here about the Elite dragster that Ed posted the owner has vents on the dash with hoses going to it from a blower to give him air flow

July 05, 2025, 08:50 AM

sr4440

You could run a blower with an air hose up under your fire suit. We did that with a heater hose in Bosnia, when we were riding up out of the hatch, and it was 15 degrees outside and it wasn’t too bad. The locals couldn’t see the hose as we were driving by and thought we were some bad a$%es. LOL

July 10, 2025, 12:20 AM

Alaskaracer

I use this:

https://glaciertek.com/product...ort-cooling-vest-set

Best investment I've ever made. I could sit in my car in Florida and be comfortably cool in my firesuit in the heat.

July 10, 2025, 09:18 AM

RPROGAS

Given a choice would you rather cool your chest area or your head and face?

Seems to me cooling your head and face might actually be more important. While racing on a really hot day, splashing cold water on my face seems more effective. Why is it that no one makes a thin device that fits in a helmet and remains cool. Since helmets fit tightly pumping cool air in one location wouldn't do much. Once I get on the return road the first thing I do is to lift the visor, the second thing is to remove the helmet entirely. Cooling my body doesn't produce the same effect.

Thought I would toss that out there to see what feed back I might get.

Bob

July 10, 2025, 09:30 AM

CURTIS REED

quote:
Originally posted by RPROGAS:
Given a choice would you rather cool your chest area or your head and face?

Seems to me cooling your head and face might actually be more important. While racing on a really hot day, splashing cold water on my face seems more effective. Why is it that no one makes a thin device that fits in a helmet and remains cool. Since helmets fit tightly pumping cool air in one location wouldn't do much. Once I get on the return road the first thing I do is to lift the visor, the second thing is to remove the helmet entirely. Cooling my body doesn't produce the same effect.

Thought I would toss that out there to see what feed back I might get.

Bob

Bob, I disagree. Keeping your core cool will also cool your head but the opposite isn't true. The immediate effect of splashing your face is just momentary.

I have one of the Coolshirt brand vests that pumps ice water through it. When I have it on and running strapped in my car I don't sweat. Keeping my core cool helps my brain by cooled blood circulating through it. I put my vest on when I strap in, plug in the cooler lines and turn on the pump. I am cool for 10-15 minutes no problem. It will actually work longer but it decreases in effectiveness as the ice melts. One of the shirts would work even better being right against your skin. My vest goes over my shirt but under my coat.

My set up may not work for everyone though because you have to have a place to put the ice bag/cooler like I do in my roadster. Unfortunately I just looked and don't see the small soft side cooler mine came with so I'm not sure if they discontinued it or not.

I have this.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/11382...tkp%3ABk9SR_Trgcz-ZQ

.