| One of the most crucial factors that will make a | | | | on a sports car but unnecessary in a race car. |
| race car competitive on the race track is the | | | | The 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 a | | | | opening to be covered with a metallic panel. |
| street car that undergoes modification. And one | | | | The sound deadening material under the carpet |
| modification is the removal of many parts of the | | | | can be removed for further weight reduction and |
| interior, which may reduce 10 to 15% of the curb | | | | for a cleaner interior appearance. Even without |
| weight of the car. When parts of the car's interior | | | | the need to reduce weight, the deadening material |
| are removed, horsepower is freed up to add | | | | should still go because it is a hazard in the event |
| speed. But speed is not the only basis for the | | | | of a fire. Removing the sound deadening material |
| interior preparation of a race car. In this article, I | | | | can be greatly simplified by using dry ice. I've tried |
| will describe the preparation of the interior of the | | | | this in the past with minimal success but the |
| Acura Integra that will race in the Honda Challenge | | | | alternative 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 SSB | | | | exposing myself to a potential fire hazard and |
| (Showroom Stock B) category in the SCCA | | | | toxic fumes, led me to try the dry ice again. |
| (Sports Car Club of America). The SSB rules | | | | I've also tried wire wheels and chemical strippers. |
| require that the majority of the interior be intact | | | | None of these methods were as effective or as |
| with some allowances for installation of the roll | | | | fast as dry ice. The key seems to be applying |
| cage and a racing seat. The Honda Challenge rules | | | | liberal amounts of dry ice over a large area and |
| allow the removal of just about everything with | | | | allowing it at least 4-5 minutes to work its magic. |
| the exception of the instrument panel. This meant | | | | I made some cardboard dams to try and keep |
| that all of the carpet, front passenger seat, trim | | | | the 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 Air | | | | well but may not be absolutely necessary. Once |
| Conditioning) stuff under the instrument panel can | | | | you hear the insulation start to pop and crack a |
| be removed also. This adds up to a lot of weight | | | | few 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 these | | | | hammer as the floor is probably less than a 1 mm |
| systems intact to keep the windows clear but the | | | | thick and can be damaged easily. The remaining |
| potential weight savings was too tempting and | | | | residue can be easily removed with a grinder with |
| I've had good success keeping my windows clear | | | | a sanding or wire wheel. This process also helps to |
| with anti-fog treatments. The sunroof looks great | | | | prepare the surface for paint application. |