Kevbot wrote:This will be my team's first 24 hour race. I know all the tech stuff, but any other advice for a team that hasn't raced at night?
Can we fuel at our paddock for this race?
Aim you lights the night before, you want to have corner lights aimed at a 45 degree angle to your driving lights.
Make sure all your drivers have driven the track in the daylight, remind them to look for track markings for turn ins and brake zones. If like Buttonwillow, you will not be able to see anything past the edge of the track. Even if you think you know the track, you will be completely lost your first couple of night laps.
Ask your drivers, especially the less experienced ones, to check in after 30 minutes. Some people can't handle night driving and you should change their shift lengths appropriately. If you find yourself losing concentration, come in early and change. I cut first time night driver stints in half their first time.
Have a clear plan of who is driving next, and make sure that person is in an agreed upon location before their shift. Also make sure the person(s) who can fix the car is in a known location. Nothing is more annoying than coming in early because something is broke, or you just can't drive anymore and nobody on the team can be found.
Mirrors are useless due to 1 billion lumens of LED light bars spewing light in your eyes. Some people say you can use window tint on them to make it better, I just stop using the mirrors and drive a predictable line when the really fast cars come up on me.
Sleep when you can. If you are the captain, good luck sleeping.
Have fun, it's a race!
Team whatever_racecar #745 Volvo wagon