Track days with/without EV's

[gone_n_60]

There was a thread before when someone asserted that all tracks are now mixing EV's in with ICE. Just noted that one of the clubs I do events with definitely does not allow EV's. I know this can be a divisive subject but when you are spending decent money to have track time it just seems better if I'm sharing the track with the same engine technology drivers. Not sure about other Road courses but this local one doesn't seem to have the type of gear to deal with potential EV track problems.

Sponsored

 

[DRAGOON]

There was a thread before when someone asserted that all tracks are now mixing EV's in with ICE. Just noted that one of the clubs I do events with definitely does not allow EV's. I know this can be a divisive subject but when you are spending decent money to have track time it just seems better if I'm sharing the track with the same engine technology drivers. Not sure about other Road courses but this local one doesn't seem to have the type of gear to deal with potential EV track problems.

To me, it seems odd that an organization would ban an EV or hybrid. I would think the individual track safety teams/directors would set policy. I know that the event planners/organizers I use allow them now. I frequent Road America and safety team there only wants to know what run group they’re in so the safety team is aware of an EV on track. Blackhawk Farms in Rockton allows them but warns at the mandatory drivers meeting that if there is a fire issue while on track, they will let it ”burn to the ground” as they do not have thousands of gallons of water nor the foam to control that issue. If an EV is there the day I’m there, I have no issue with it and a good track friend runs his 2017 NSX at both those tracks without any issue.

 

[TeeLew]

There are very specific ways to deal with EV energy levels. They just don't have the proper equipment at most small tracks. Sooner or later in F1, endurance or FE they're going to zap a safety worker to death. It's just a matter of time. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[saleen367]

To me, it seems odd that an organization would ban an EV or hybrid. I would think the individual track safety teams/directors would set policy. I know that the event planners/organizers I use allow them now. I frequent Road America and safety team there only wants to know what run group they’re in so the safety team is aware of an EV on track. Blackhawk Farms in Rockton allows them but warns at the mandatory drivers meeting that if there is a fire issue while on track, they will let it ”burn to the ground” as they do not have thousands of gallons of water nor the foam to control that issue. If an EV is there the day I’m there, I have no issue with it and a good track friend runs his 2017 NSX at both those tracks without any issue.

I would bet the organization holding the event would have to put liablity insurance on the event in the case of a major malfunction. It may or may not be part of the agreement (contract) between track and organizer when its negotiated for the event. Just a guess on my part.

 

[WildHorse]

To me, it seems odd that an organization would ban an EV or hybrid.

Our track bans them. Not equipped to handle a lithium-ion fire.

 

[NightmareMoon]

There was a thread before when someone asserted that all tracks are now mixing EV's in with ICE. Just noted that one of the clubs I do events with definitely does not allow EV's. I know this can be a divisive subject but when you are spending decent money to have track time it just seems better if I'm sharing the track with the same engine technology drivers. Not sure about other Road courses but this local one doesn't seem to have the type of gear to deal with potential EV track problems.

do you also want to ban fwd cars or awd cars because they have different drivetrains? If the track is equipped for handling EV emergencies, what do you care if there are is an EV or two in your run group? They’re not stopping you from having any fun, why stop them?

 

[Johnny Rockit]

do you also want to ban fwd cars or awd cars because they have different drivetrains? If the track is equipped for handling EV emergencies, what do you care if there are is an EV or two in your run group? They’re not stopping you from having any fun, why stop them?

I would think it is mainly the fire apsect and not wanting to dump thousands of dollars into training and equipment to put out the inevitable fire in one of the ev. Plus charging stations.

 

[TeeLew]

do you also want to ban fwd cars or awd cars because they have different drivetrains? If the track is equipped for handling EV emergencies, what do you care if there are is an EV or two in your run group? They’re not stopping you from having any fun, why stop them?

There's also the point of the staff being trained to handle it. There are all sorts of protocols to deal with crashed cars if they're hybrids/EV's. For instance, if Bob in an IC car and a Tesla end up getting into each other and are sitting by a fence parked in a pile, you shouldn't get out of the cars like normal. You should stand on the car and jump with both feet to the ground. Never touch what could be charged car and earth at the same time. Also, racecars have big lights on the outside which tells safety it's safe. Normal EV's don't have that. This is just one concern. The Li fires are reasonably spectacular and good luck putting them out.

I think the concern is real until safety standards get figured out.

 

[MexicanFiestaST]

I was just reading up on the policy for a local track. They confirmed that they don't have the safety equipment or training yet to handle EV accidents, but it seems they want to work on getting there. So they are banned for the moment.

 

[TeeLew]

I was just reading up on the policy for a local track. They confirmed that they don't have the safety equipment or training yet to handle EV accidents, but it seems they want to work on getting there. So they are banned for the moment.

I think it's a case-by-case thing. I've seen a Tesla ripping laps at a track. The guy was getting about 3-5 minutes of hauling a$$ before having to let it cool and charge. Cooling the batteries, motors and controllers are all a big deal.

 

[NightmareMoon]

I would think it is mainly the fire apsect and not wanting to dump thousands of dollars into training and equipment to put out the inevitable fire in one of the ev. Plus charging stations.

Its up to the EV drivers to sort out where to recharge, so not my problem. Tracks do have to sort out how to deal with EV emergencies and figure out if it makes sense for them.. but why would a gas engine driver not want EVs in traffic around them? That's what I was reading.

If its about lost track time to an EV fire, I'd love to hear how often that's actually happening at track days. Seems very uncommon? I've seen an M3 catch fire (spun into dry grass and the headers caught the grass on fire, car was stuck so it burned and was totaled).

FWIW, I've been on track with Teslas at CotA. They were mostly stock, so slow in the corners (stock tires) but quick on the straights. They let faster drivers pass so I really didn't see an issue.

 

[gone_n_60]

do you also want to ban fwd cars or awd cars because they have different drivetrains? If the track is equipped for handling EV emergencies, what do you care if there are is an EV or two in your run group? They’re not stopping you from having any fun, why stop them?

I do, maybe lots do already share track with fwd, awd, cars, GT4's AMG GT's, Cobra's etc. no beef there from me. A concern I have on the street as well as track these days is if I'm somehow in a mixup with a EV heading to T-bone or rearend me, that extra 2000 to 7000 pound battery is going to do way more damage (injury?) than a vehicle without one.

 

[NightmareMoon]

I do, maybe lots do already share track with fwd, awd, cars, GT4's AMG GT's, Cobra's etc. no beef there from me. A concern I have on the street as well as track these days is if I'm somehow in a mixup with a EV heading to T-bone or rearend me, that extra 2000 to 7000 pound battery is going to do way more damage (injury?) than a vehicle without one.

Well the thread is about the track, but I'll play
A tesla model 3 weighs between 3862-4048 lbs. A Mustang GT can be up to 3933 now. A GT500 is almost 4200. That's very comparable. BMW M440s are directly comparable to M4 weights.

A model X is up to 5390. A ford explorer is up to 5076. and an F150 is up to 5740. I live in TX so every other car is an F150. A Mach E is only 4920. Sure an F150 lightning is 1000 lbs more than the normal F150 (what happened there Ford?), but that seems to be the exception, not the norm.

So I think we're only talking the differenceof <10%...certainly not 2000 to 7000 lbs more.

No, I don't want to get rear ended by an F150 or a Cybertruck neither, but I'm not seeing where EVs are massively heavier and thus more dangerous somehow.

 

[furdfan2018]

Im as anti-EV as they come from a theoretical/necessity standpoint, but I don't see the reason to ban them from motorsports. What am I missing?

 

[NightmareMoon]

Im as anti-EV as they come from a theoretical/necessity standpoint, but I don't see the reason to ban them from motorsports. What am I missing?

Some tracks are banning them because they're realizing they can't currently handle an EV battery fire if it happens. Its making the news because its fun to report negative stuff in general. That's about the size of it.

Sponsored