As of this morning, July 5th.

The revised temperature forecast for the inland area (not the mountains or the desert) of San Diego County is 110 degrees. The desert areas will be over 116. Sort of like drag racing in Iraq!

Great weather for a sun stroke, especially if you are in a -5 or thicker driving suit.

I believe that I will pass on going racing this week end. I’ve been told that experiencing a sun stroke can ruin your entire week end of racing.

Bob

It is currently 3:55 on Friday afternoon and the temperature on my rear patio, which is on the shade, is 116 degrees and it is increasing. There is a large fire burning in Alpine just a few miles east of our home. The local News reported that a number homes were lost so we are staying close and packing in the event that we are told to evacuate.

Our AC unit died last night so it’s a little warm in the house, 121 according to the thermostat.

Glad I decided to not go racing in this heat, the temperature at Fontana is even higher and the chance of getting caught (again) in a fire at Barona is not worth leaving the house.

Bob

Bob sorry to hear about the A/C unit ...replaced my 20 year old unit last June. Best cash I spent since getting back into racing, I'm sure glad I did it.

But that fire is real scary, so is this what we get to look forward to as time goes on ?

That’s some rotten luck!!

Low-mid 90’s with scattered tstorms here. Lots and lots of sharp lightning, and air so thick you couldn’t cut it with a chainsaw.

Good luck on the A/C unit! Hopefully something easy and cheap like a cap or contactor!

A crisp new $600 bill fixed the AC (I need to print my own) so we have AC again, wife is happy.

The fire in Alpine burned 400 acres, destroyed many homes but fortunately no one died. That may change once the authorities have a chance to examine the burned homes. We may have had an uncomfortable day without the AC but those folks had a terrible day. The temperature in Ramona (Barona Drag Strip) hit a record high of 117 but that is expected to drop into the high 90’s/ low 100 today.

I hope the weather is better where ya’ll live, it’s just a bit toasty here.

Bob

Just thinking(normally gets me in trouble). Most reply's are when I was younger,but now I'm older and can't/want race in high heat. Since we all know drag racer are becoming a crowd of old folks with very few youngsters joining in.I"m guessing cars counts take big hit in the heat. Might be better chance for those who can handle it to rack some easier wins,easier because less competition not less quality competition.

Seems everyone I have talked with in the 45 yo plus group says they have problem with heat above 90*. Some say they deal with it and go,but most part say not worth it since it kills the fun part.

Up until the first part of June or so, the Summit races will have 2 races in one day, open gates at 8am and go from there. From June to late September they only have 1 summit race a day, gates open at 4pm, first round around 7:30ish. The night races are not bad at all..
The King of the Coast series at Gulfport (Gaylon Rolison has promoted this series for well over a decade) is a fri nite gamblers/Saturday and Sunday main event- Gaylon skips July and August when he schedules the KOC because it’s just too dang hot. He knows that we’re kinda stupid and crazy enough to show up (and fry!) if it’s scheduled!! And shameless plug- King of the Coast is THE best bracket series anywhere, it’s all about the racers..usually it’s more of a party where a 2 day bracket race breaks out.
Other tracks in this area move start times way back. Car counts might be off a little, but most of us are so addicted we’ll risk heat stroke to race..

When discussing the temperature remember you are looking at the air temperature, the ground temperature (that’s the part you would be standing on) is much higher.

Buy yourself a cool vest, drink lots of water and stay away from drinking “crack in a can” sodas.

Have fun but stay safe everyone.

Bob

When it ain't any fun, I stay home.

I work outside in it all day, every day, and try to stay outside even when I'm off work....you sorta get acclimated. But I draw the line when others are saying they ain't going, which usually means less participation, and to me it's no fun-and I stay at the house & tinker with the street car or do yard work...or go fishing.

Have spent many a race day out in heat and humidity and when it's no fun, I'd just as soon go to the house and/or work. Racing is supposed to be fun. If it's not, it's not appealing anymore.

Something I didn't see mentioned is that if one gets heat stroke, they'll get it again and easier the next time. I've had it many times at work and find it to be absolutely true. Seems like I am recognizing the symptoms a lot sooner now than I used to. Especially the confusion part. This June has been warmer than I can remember most Junes and I haven't been to the track once, not even to watch. Been 95-100 every single day, with dewpoints as high as 80 degrees. When I go to work some mornings, the temp hovers around 81 degrees and it's not uncommon to have to drive through a thick fog bank in the valleys. Dew usually goes down into the 75-78 range in the afternoons but comes back up as the sun sets--and there is zero breeze to help evaporate the sweat...so you're reliant on a fan, or some sort of movement. You all in Louisiana, Mississippi, LA (lower alabama), Georgia, etc know exactly what I'm talking about. Houston TX area too.

The older I get the less I want to deal with it. Now I know why rich folks have a summer home in the North and a winter home in the South (or Florida-which I don't consider the "south").

I'm 31 years old and 90 degrees is pretty much my limit, mostly by choice. Also, something that most people don't understand is that proper hydration doesn't start the day of the race, it starts many days before. I drink at least half of my body weight in water every single day. I sometimes drink more than that if I know I'm going to be in the heat sometime in the next few days. Also, Pedialyte is a no sugar alternative to Gatorade to help you build up your electrolytes.

quote:

Originally posted by Jason Haley:
I'm 31 years old and 90 degrees is pretty much my limit, mostly by choice. Also, something that most people don't understand is that proper hydration doesn't start the day of the race, it starts many days before. I drink at least half of my body weight in water every single day. I sometimes drink more than that if I know I'm going to be in the heat sometime in the next few days. Also, Pedialyte is a no sugar alternative to Gatorade to help you build up your electrolytes.

Exactly and you can also eat fruits Watermelon,starwberries,cantaloupe,peaches and oranges are also great for hydration.

At 50 yrs old, I am still racing in the heat and humidity...90 degrees is not a worry. 100 plus gets my attention and being in Houston the humidity is typical gulf coast. It without a doubt takes more out of me and simply could not do it without AC in my rig. If I don't cool off in cold AC between runs, I would be in trouble quickly.

You have to hydrate and prepare. You have to really love this to do it in the heat of summer. I have seen 6 to 8 lbs of weight loss in one weekend...all water as the weight isal back by Wednesday. Be careful out there guys and gals as it's easy to get overheated with adrenalin and winning rounds and losing track of staying hydrated.

STAY COOL AND drink water frequently during the day.

Hell living in Houston just makes you tuff in regards to heat. Been there twice.Both time Summer and it SUCKED. Area wise great, weather not for me.

quote:

Originally posted by TORQIN:
...simply could not do it without AC in my rig. If I don't cool off in cold AC between runs, I would be in trouble quickly.

I raced for 20+ years with a pickup. Sometimes there were motels, but I usually slept in the trailer. 4 days at a national event in July with no shower.

Now I'm 40 years old and have had a toterhome for 2 months, and I already couldn't imagine racing without it, and I don't know that I would.

I guess I will see where my line is this weekend. Just turned 54 and it's supposed to be 99° and 106° heat index. I'm trying to go back to back winning the championship so I hate to miss a race. Really glad I put AC in the trailer and I have my cool vest. I'm sure I couldn't make it through a double race day without it. We 2 races this weekend, single race the next, then 2 races the 3rd weekend. Grueling schedule the rest of July for us older guys.

Curtis

Good luck to ya Curtis!

LOVE the sound of back to back championships at 50 yrs old plus!

I also ran open trailers up until around 1997, I then went enclosed trailer with pick up. In 2006 went to a dually with living quarters and in 2010 went to a toter and stacker.

No regrets and can't wait till my son takes me racing like I have my Dad all these years!

quote:

Originally posted by TORQIN:
Good luck to ya Curtis!

LOVE the sound of back to back championships at 50 yrs old plus!

I also ran open trailers up until around 1997, I then went enclosed trailer with pick up. In 2006 went to a dually with living quarters and in 2010 went to a toter and stacker.

No regrets and can't wait till my son takes me racing like I have my Dad all these years!

Thanks Chris,

I've won 4 of the first 7 points races. Doubled up our last 2 race day a couple weeks ago.

On another not when I met J.R. (seabass) last month he said I was taller than he thought I would be. Just so everyone knows my son in the pic is 6'3". LOL