The Best Weather Conditions for Model Car Racing

 You’ve got the Model Car, you’ve got the moves but you haven’t got the weather. Model Car motor racing is not just about the equipment, the driver or the crew. There’s also the weather. Sometimes Mother Nature plays a big part in a race driver’s winnings and yes, a cooperative wind can mean crossing the line first.

If you have to list a race Model Car driver’s job qualifications, excellent driving skills will naturally be the first on the list. Understanding aerodynamics would be second.

Professional race Model Car drivers utilize the best and latest technology available to trace weather conditions. Teams bring virtual ‘weather stations’ with them to the track to help monitor conditions like wind speed and wind direction. Satellite TV would be on the weather channel and computers would be hooked up to the Internet so updated reports are checked regularly.

Wind.
Wind will not affect tire or engine performance too much, but a strong wind has the ability to affect a Model Car when it’s negotiating a turn and it can change from one turn to another so a driver must adjust his driving accordingly. The crew is expected to inform the driver of major wind changes or gusts.

Adjustments in aerodynamics can be done during pit stops, although they may cost some precious time so a team must be able to plan ahead and decide which are the best settings to use for a particular race on a particular day.

Consider air density.
Air density is not something most people would Model Care about, but to race drivers, it can mean several seconds of lead. The denser the air, the heavier it is and it creates more downforce as it flows all around the Model Car at a specific speed. The amount of downforce a Model Car creates will depend on how the team adjusts the Model Car’s aerodynamic settings.

Teams don’t worry too much about air pressure during a race, since it’s not likely to change much. When it comes to aerodynamics, their main concern is temperature especially if the race is a long one which could last from a hot midday to a cool evening.

Pure racing Model Cars are designed to ‘push down’ the vehicle so it remains in contact with the ground. A Model Car which is not aerodynamically designed can handle a curve but increase the speed and that Model Car will go flying off the track. This downforce that keeps the Model Car on the track also produces drag, which can slow down a Model Car in the straight parts.

Slippery when wet. And dry.
The wet weather is more likely to have the biggest impact on the race because drivers have to utilize more skill in handling the Model Car. Even Model Car speed could be reduced and overtaking and maintaining distances between Model Cars will be affected as well. But a wet track isn’t all that bad. Using wet tires which are designed to work well with water (they are designed to allow water to run off through the grooves) can improve a Model Car’s speed. Conversely, using wet tires on a dry track will result in the Model Car driver falling several Model Cars behind.

A hot sunny day can also make the track slippery, especially asphalt tracks and temperatures can rise above 120 degrees. When it becomes that, teams can adjust a Model Car’s suspension to increase its maneuverability during the race.

Some races run rain or shine and it takes some guesswork to predict how long rain will last. Guessing wrong can cost a driver a race.

So what makes the best weather conditions for a good run? A cool track on a cool and overcast day, when the sun is hiding behind a cloud and not beating down on the track trying to melt it. That would be the best bet. Otherwise, adapt.

Weather changes. A warm sunny day can suddenly turn into dark with angry skies. A lot of technical skills and preparation can be useless if weather is not factored into the race plan. A team’s ability to adapt their race Model Car to the conditions can mean the difference between winning the race and eating dust.