anti freeze alternative

[Phokaioglaukos]

GT3s--as has been noted, several GT3s in the club (including the one I owned) have experienced failures of coolant lines, generally of the bonded manifolds that sit atop the engine. Excellence magazine published an extensive analysis in the February 2011 issue with removing and welding the failing joints as a top candidate for repair and prevention.

Banning Coolant--the June 2011 Excellence tech forum column notes that using water or water and WaterWetter is not that much of an improvement over antifreeze. Citing a WaterWetter white paper (HERE), the authors note that water on dry pavement cuts the dynamic friction coefficient of tire rubber on pavement by about half. Using WaterWetter is no worse and using common anti-freeze is just 5-15% worse. Their conclusion is that banning coolant at the track does not reduce the risk all that much. The fix is to take measures to avoid coolant/water losses.

Air Cooled Cars--please remember that these cars are more accurately described as oil cooled cars and that there are oil lines, often of rubber, that run the length of the car. They can leak, too, and should be inspected and replaced regularly. Oil on the track is slippery.