Amateur Race Car Interior Preparation - Acura Integra

One of the most crucial factors that will make aon a sports car but unnecessary in a race car.
race car competitive on the race track is theThe sunroof can also be removed for a
weight of the race car. The typical race car,substantial weight savings. The rules allow the
however, that is used in amateur auto racing is aopening to be covered with a metallic panel.
street car that undergoes modification. And oneThe sound deadening material under the carpet
modification is the removal of many parts of thecan be removed for further weight reduction and
interior, which may reduce 10 to 15% of the curbfor a cleaner interior appearance. Even without
weight of the car. When parts of the car's interiorthe need to reduce weight, the deadening material
are removed, horsepower is freed up to addshould still go because it is a hazard in the event
speed. But speed is not the only basis for theof a fire. Removing the sound deadening material
interior preparation of a race car. In this article, Ican be greatly simplified by using dry ice. I've tried
will describe the preparation of the interior of thethis in the past with minimal success but the
Acura Integra that will race in the Honda Challengealternative is not viable. The thought of sitting in
2.the car for hours with a scraper and a torch,
The Acura Integra has raced in the SSBexposing myself to a potential fire hazard and
(Showroom Stock B) category in the SCCAtoxic fumes, led me to try the dry ice again.
(Sports Car Club of America). The SSB rulesI've also tried wire wheels and chemical strippers.
require that the majority of the interior be intactNone of these methods were as effective or as
with some allowances for installation of the rollfast as dry ice. The key seems to be applying
cage and a racing seat. The Honda Challenge rulesliberal amounts of dry ice over a large area and
allow the removal of just about everything withallowing it at least 4-5 minutes to work its magic.
the exception of the instrument panel. This meantI made some cardboard dams to try and keep
that all of the carpet, front passenger seat, trimthe ice in contact with the vertical surfaces
pieces, and mounting brackets can be removed.around the tunnel. This seemed to work pretty
The HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Airwell but may not be absolutely necessary. Once
Conditioning) stuff under the instrument panel canyou hear the insulation start to pop and crack a
be removed also. This adds up to a lot of weightfew strikes with a dead blow hammer should be
reduction.enough to dislodge the material. Be gentle with the
I've talked to some guys that like to leave thesehammer as the floor is probably less than a 1 mm
systems intact to keep the windows clear but thethick and can be damaged easily. The remaining
potential weight savings was too tempting andresidue can be easily removed with a grinder with
I've had good success keeping my windows cleara sanding or wire wheel. This process also helps to
with anti-fog treatments. The sunroof looks greatprepare the surface for paint application.