We all know that colder temps make the cars run faster, because they make more power. However, the colder the temp is, the worse the traction is. That being said, what would be the ideal temp to run the 1/4 at without sacrificing traction for increased power? Any ideas?

 

I've found around the 40 or 50 degree range works best for me. I tried once when it was around 30, and just couldn't get any stick.

 

If you are at a track that maintains it regularly, then traction shouldn't be that much of a problem. If there are a lot of car's there, preferrably really fast ones with huge slicks... then the track will warm up as the night goes on. And traction will get MUCH better. But if you are at a crappy track, trust me I've been to a few, then 40-50 degrees would be pretty nice once the track warms up.

If you want to experiment, then run your car during one of the first runs of the night. Then, remember that launch and then run your car again an hour or two later. You should see a difference.

 

Ideally I'd like it to be about 40 degrees with the sun beating down out of a clear sky so the track surface is as warm as it can be with a 40* ambient temp. That plus a bunch of VHT would be nice. Of course I've never run in weather cooler than 60' (even in January 2002 in Indiana) so I might be way off.