n80 Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 I've got a DE event coming up this weekend and they are calling for isolated showers so we may be driving in the rain a bit. The driver's and passenger windows have to stay open. I'll be driving my DD which isn't expensive or fancy (used 07 350Z) but the interior is in good condition. My question is this: what can be done to minimize damage/odors from water in the car? Are there things you can do between runs? What do you do after the event? Thanks for any input. Quote
obzezzed350 Posted March 14, 2012 Posted March 14, 2012 Nothing you can do but get over it and towel it down when the session Quote
Cobra4B Posted March 15, 2012 Posted March 15, 2012 Airflow will keep most of the water out of the car. Keep the windows up while on grid then put them down going on track. Towel up the rest. Quote
sperkins Posted March 15, 2012 Posted March 15, 2012 All cars are different. Some get drenched inside and others don't get much at all. If pulling the carpets isn't that big of a deal, it might be worth doing. Quote
obzezzed350 Posted March 15, 2012 Posted March 15, 2012 The Z usually only gets wet behind the driver and its not much water. Quote
n80 Posted March 15, 2012 Author Posted March 15, 2012 Your left shoulder and arm will be soaked... Well, at least its going to be warm! Quote
Stoopalini Posted March 15, 2012 Posted March 15, 2012 As others have stated, it really won't get as wet as you think. keep the windows up until you get up to speed on track, and put them back up right before pitting. If you're getting too much in when up to speed, play with the windows a bit by raising them a few inches. Sometimes this can redirect airflow to reduce the amount of water coming in, or it can increase it, so try it and see. Oh, and keep it on track!! Don't go 100% in the rain, with windows down and a car with interior you value. Going 4 wheels off in the rain, with windows down, will cause quite the mess inside. Not only water, but mud will make it's way onto just about every interior piece, including the headliner! Ask me how I know, LOL! Quote
kbrew8991 Posted March 15, 2012 Posted March 15, 2012 and you may find that the track / club will back off on the windows down thing if it's really pouring out there. barring that, have some towels ready Quote
n80 Posted March 15, 2012 Author Posted March 15, 2012 Going 4 wheels off in the rain, with windows down, will cause quite the mess inside. Not only water, but mud will make it's way onto just about every interior piece, including the headliner! I had not thought about that. I guess if I ruin the interior there wouldn't be much reason not to put a cage in it at that point. Quote
n80 Posted March 15, 2012 Author Posted March 15, 2012 and you may find that the track / club will back off on the windows down thing if it's really pouring out there. That would be nice. I never asked about the reason for keeping the windows down. I'm assuming it is for quick exit in case of fire + jammed door or quick access for emergency crew. I would think it would be easy for emergency crew to break the window but might be tough for the driver to get out if the door won't open and the car is on fire. Quote
Stoopalini Posted March 15, 2012 Posted March 15, 2012 That's part of it, but a large benefit to having the windows down is being able to hear what's going on. With you car, other cars, brakes, tires, pavement surface, etc... Quote
beerkat Posted March 16, 2012 Posted March 16, 2012 The main reason for keeping the windows down is so you can POINT someone by. Kind of hard to do if your window is up. Quote
n80 Posted March 16, 2012 Author Posted March 16, 2012 The main reason for keeping the windows down is so you can POINT someone by. Kind of hard to do if your window is up. As much as I have to do that I can't believe I forgot about the point by. Quote
aaronsti Posted March 21, 2012 Posted March 21, 2012 i dont get why they dont just let us use the blinkers to indicate pass left/right and flashers for pitting Quote
kbrew8991 Posted March 21, 2012 Posted March 21, 2012 too easy to accidentally hit the turn signal in alot of cars - plus a point-by is a very delibarate motion, no mistaking that one I've heard of turn signals being used when you're allowed to run windows-up when the rain is really bad though Quote
Stoopalini Posted March 21, 2012 Posted March 21, 2012 Plus, not all cars have (working) blinkers and flashers. Quote
08Bullitt0572 Posted March 22, 2012 Posted March 22, 2012 When your car spins it will shake the water off like a wet dog. Quote
aben8057 Posted April 6, 2012 Posted April 6, 2012 TIP: Be faster that everyone else to avoid point-bys Quote
rsmith350 Posted April 7, 2012 Posted April 7, 2012 Shop vac- to pull water out of upholstery, if you vaccum out the water after each run it never has time to really set and mildew. Other than that, febreze anti bacterial and " ozium" for any left over smells Quote
whoahstu Posted April 12, 2012 Posted April 12, 2012 Ask if they will let you run with the passenger side window up and the driver side down. I've seen it allowed in our region. Quote
Joshua Posted April 12, 2012 Posted April 12, 2012 Going 4 wheels off in the rain, with windows down, will cause quite the mess inside. Not only water, but mud will make it's way onto just about every interior piece, including the headliner! I had not thought about that. I guess if I ruin the interior there wouldn't be much reason not to put a cage in it at that point. Now your thinking like a racer . Quote
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