How much extra fat do you carry?

G

gran racing

Super Moderator
Lets assume that you are able to get down to the minimum weight - how much extra do you have on the car? I've been trying to determine how much I should allocate for based on a few different factors such as gas consumed, possible difference in scale readings, my own weight fluctuation, as well as other minor things.

I was thinking about a 13 lb allowance might work. What are your thoughts?

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Dave Gran
NER ITB #13
'87 Honda Prelude si
 
We're not talking beer gut here, are we?
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A 1% margin for scale variation is what I've generally heard; on my 2600# pig that means I should scale 26# heavy. YMMV

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Vaughan Scott
Detroit Region #280052
'79 924 #77 ITB/GTS1
www.vaughanscott.com
 
I shoot for 25 lbs heavy without fuel.

No telling if the track scale will jibe with whatever you weighed with last time so I ALWAYS weigh at the track before the race, and I carry two extra lead blocks in the trailer should I scale light.

Yes, I did come in two pounds light one race. It bites.


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Ty Till
#16 ITS
Rocky Mountain Division
 
Like x-ring says ALWAYS weigh at the track before you need to tech. Every scale is different and I've encountered some that are way beyong the 1% quoted above.

My procedure is to weigh the car when we get to the track. I add fuel to compensate for being light. We keep records of average fuel economy at each track we go to by measuring fuel levels before and after sessions. We pump the tank out and measure, not relying on a gauge. We then get a real good idea of what we need to start a race with to finish with enough fuel to make weight.

We missed a bit at Gateway last month. Spec is 2680. We weighed 2680.
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Another mistake I made one time was weighing the car after a wet morning sessions with my rain tires on the car. The wheels themselves at about 8lbs heavier plus the added weight of the tires over my dry package. Got my reading and calculated fuel load based on the heavy tires. We came in only about 2lbs over if I remember just by sheer dumb luck.

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Chris Ludwig
08 ITS RX7 CenDiv
 
We weigh the cars at every event and find that the scales are different from Toms (our alighnment specialist
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) by up to 6lbs, thus we make the adjustment at the track depending how different the readings are. We generally end the race 3-10lbs over weight (in impound). This is fun (probably more risk than gain) and it certainly adds to the work that needs to be done at the track as we "weigh in" on our scales 2-3 times a weekend.

We have also found that on average ours cars loose about 1.5 lbs per lap at NHIS and Lime Rock (this is an average per session and would include any losses from the paddock driving as well as idling on the grid).

Raymond "Thanks Tom" Blethen
 
Why not just use the local scales and set up from there at a pound or two? That's what I do. I plan on losing between two and three pounds of water weight (me) and maybe a pound or two on the car but it's rarely that much. I Put two pounds on the car (a lead filled Darth Vader Pez dispenser taped to the roll cage and a big bottle of Evian in the glove box)and drink LOTS of water at the end of the race before being weighed. Hasn't failed yet.
 
***(a lead filled Darth Vader Pez dispenser taped to the roll cage and a big bottle of Evian in the glove box)***

Matt, don't ya think the mass is a little high.

Have Fun
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David
 
I've never been able to keep track of how much fuel I go through. For the first few races I'll be a bit conservative, but was curious how much extra others put on.

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Dave Gran
NER ITB #13
'87 Honda Prelude si
 
I'm so jealous that I do not have these issues...
You could make all the panels on my car from Carbon Fiber and it would still be over the limit.

Cheers.
 
Originally posted by Mattberg:
drink LOTS of water at the end of the race before being weighed.
Click to expand...

As crew, it can be fun and / or painful to watch the driver squrim when not released from impound in a timely manner. "I've got to pee" Nope. "Please?" Nope.


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Kevin M. Keller
crew, '94 Saturn SC2 ITA CenDiv 2003 Champs
F&C, STL Region
http://www.saturnperformanceclub.com
 
Since my minimum is 2350 and we will sneak below 2500 for the first time when we pull all of the ABS junk in the next two weeks, I've made it a policy to not cut it any closer than 150 pounds.

That's about 92 pints of beer for those of you doing the conversion at home.

Now, when the new wheels come for the Summit 12 hour, we'll only a little more than 100 pounds overweight. Whee!

K
 
Dave, I wouldn't think about going on track without Darth! He's been with me ever since I lost my lucky astrology mood watch!

Seriously though. If you set your car up empty at the local scales at the minimum you're going to make weight as long as you have a gallon of gas. I need to be 2600. I run at 2596 empty. Usually come in between 2602 and 2609. Even a quarter of a gallon of gas weighs a couple pounds. Darth takes care of the rest.

If you run it closer than that put a couple pounds in the car. If you're really close, and I do this just to be safe, have someone pour a gallon or two of water over your head when you come in. Soak your suit. Good for five or six pounds. Best unsprung weight you can get!
 
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