The Rolex Grand-Am Sports Car Series presented by Rolex is known to be a tough racing event that tests the endurance, determination and the spirit of the racers. Regarded as a formidable racing challenge the Rolex Grand-Am Sports Car Series attracts the most determined racers from all over the world. Rolex the fuel behind this highly prolific event understands that merely having a passion for racing is not enough it is equally important to be able to adapt and conquer daunting conditions. In honor of these racers Rolex consistently lends all its support for the recognition and promotion of these champions. To be a true master of the sport of racing and a world champion one has to be able to comprehend and take into account all the underlying factors that are required to race.

As a spectator racing around the circuit in a continuous loop seems quite easy however, this sport requires tremendous skill, focus and the strength to withstand almost unbearable conditions. To increase their chances of winning and with the constant state of development of the Daytona Prototype racing cars the top speeds have reached incredible new levels. The surge in speed consequently means an increase in the overall temperature of the car. Nowadays the racers do not just have to keep in their purview the competition, control over speed and the wheel but also be prepared to face the sauna like conditions in the cockpit of the racing car. The 850 horsepower engine of the car produces a lot of heat and most of it finds its way into the cabin. Many racers have to be taken to the Daytona Medical Center to get a dose of intravenous fluids in order to replenish their body systems. All the Daytona Prototype cars have engines placed on the rear while most of these cars are fitted with front mounted radiators that cause the extremely hot air to move directly towards the cockpits. However a few rule changes have led to the radiators moving to the sides of the cars. Even though this has led to a drastic reduction of temperature in the cockpit of the Daytona Prototype a few more changes still have to be incorporate in to the system.

The temperature reading inside the cabin of Michael Shank Racing Riley-Ford had reached an unbelievable 116 degrees that equals the temperature of the Mojave Desert. The natural process of development and evolution calls for the lowering of the temperatures inside the cabin and measures have to be taken to introduce air conditioning to allow the racers to focus on the race and not be bothered by the sweltering heat.

The introduction and incorporation of air conditioning in the racing vehicles is not an easy task and many factors have to be taken into account. The Grand-Am officials are have already begun studying the various aspects and collecting data on to taking a decision of introducing the air conditioning system, extracting more air out through the roof vents or feeding the cabin with more fresh air ahead of the radiators.

A decisive action is going to follow through soon but until then the racers have to battle the competitors while fending off the discomfort caused by the surging heat.

Tags: Daytona International, Daytona prototype, Grad-Am, Michael Shank Racing Riley-Ford, Rolex, Rolex Grand-Am Sports Car Series

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 1:18 am and is filed under Rolex Culture, Rolex Events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.