Elevation and 1/4 mile times.

[J DAWG]

This past weekend in Bowling Green, it seemed in general the et's where not as low as, at least, I expected. I looked up the elevation and the airport is at 547 ft. Also it warmed up into the 80's on Saturday, which obviously did not help either.

Any opinions or is there a generalization on how altitude affects et's?

 

[terribleted13]

J DAWG,
From my younger days I remember, 1 second at 1 mile in elevation. The "PRO" cars weren't as fast as they are now though.

 

[1TONY1]

You need to look at density altitude to get corrected elevations based on actual elevation/temp/dew point/baro pressure, then you can relate that to horsepower. This is where aviation and racing agree
Density altitude correction: http://www.wahiduddin.net/calc/calc_da_em.htm

I did some looking and weather history. Check the date we were at Steele Al to see if it is correct ( I could not find my time slips)

1/10/04 Steele Al. 2pm
Elevation:569 temp:37 DP:25 press:30.37
corrected elevation: 1234 BELOW sea level mmmmmm good

4/17/04 Bowling Green Ky V10 nats 2pm
ele:547 temp:80 DP:64 press:30.25
corrected elevation: 1859 above sea level

Bradenton Fl. V10 nats 2/8/04 2pm
ele:31 temp:59 DP:30 press:30.35
corrected elevation: 378 BELOW sea level mmmmm good

 

[1TONY1]

A quick calculation based on those corrected elevations:

If a car had 500hp/rwhp at Steele then there would be a 55hp loss at Bowling Green and 40hp loss at Bradenton.

 

[J DAWG]

Makes sense. I looked back at Steele timeslips and my times were just about the same, however my mph was up 2 to 4 mph in BG. Too bad I didn't do my part at driving cause the car was running stronger than Steele. Thanks for the link.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

I think the minimal track prep had as much to do with slower times than anything.

 

[J DAWG]

I think the minimal track prep had as much to do with slower times than anything.

Good point Chuck. After racing several times, it is obvious track prep plays a huge role. Moreover, I didn't drive that well either.