Menu

Shop

Garage

Cart

Account

Products to Compare (max of 3)
X
Compare These Parts

Surviving Speed Week

8/4/2020
Add Article To List
Tags: Tech, Tech, Race
The Good, The Bad, and The Glorious - Surviving Speed Week

Like anything in life, in racing, there are many difficulties. If someone were to ask me today what some of my biggest challenges in racing have been, I would most certainly answer, “Speedweeks.” Some may ask, “what is a speed week?” In short, it is several races consecutively spanning over the course of a week, typically at several different venues within proximity. However, though these events are a great challenge they are also very rewarding. With that said, I would like to share some of my experiences over the years from participating in various speed weeks.

What makes speed weeks so challenging? There are several factors. Time is one of the biggest factors because you do not have much of it. What I mean by that is typically you are racing every day. In order to give yourself a fair opportunity at success, you must be very prepared. Races often run late into the night or early hours of the morning, so it becomes a test to service and prepare the race car in a timely manner for the next day's race. In my experience, we would typically wash cars the same night immediately following the race, so everything is already clean and ready to service. Often, we do not get to bed until AM hours which takes its toll as you get towards the tail end of your week. We usually get up early the next morning so we can go through the car and prepare it for that evening. As other racers know and understand, maintenance takes hours.

Then there comes the next challenge. Traveling. Depending on where the next race is located, you may have to drive a couple of hours to the next venue so having a plan is important. Depending on distance, you may travel to the next location prior to servicing your car. If you choose to service the car first, you need to make sure you allow yourself time in transit to get to the next event on time and have all your work done prior to leaving. This is where a speed week can be most stressful in my opinion. You constantly hustle and you are exhausted from sleep deprivation with a lot of hard work. Typically, it is very hot as well since these speed weeks tend to take place during the summer months. Lastly, the competition. Probably the most challenging part of all. More than the average car count will turn up for a speed week because it is an opportunity to do a lot of racing in a short amount of time. In order to achieve great results, you must execute as a team flawlessly, and remain laser-focused the entire time you are there. Winning races, in general, is always a test, but when you expand car counts and heighten the level of competition, winning is no easy feat

With all the difficulties that come with a speed week, there is always a reward. The abundance of racing in a short period of time is one of the biggest rewards. One thing I appreciate so much about doing speed weeks is having the opportunity to race at new venues that you wouldn’t ever go to otherwise. I have been able to travel all over the country, and the world, and experience some of the most interesting places because of various speed weeks we have participated in. Experience is one major key to speed weeks because you gain an abundance of experience in a short period of time. Every time you set out to compete, there is an opportunity to learn and improve. We have been able to make great strides with our racing program and have improved tremendously due to the knowledge gained from those learning opportunities. Another thing that I appreciate about partaking in a speed week is the people. You tend to meet lots of new people, all of whom are friendly faces. You create new friendships that often result in life-long relationships. Making memories with those individuals who you may not have met otherwise are priceless.

Lastly, the glory. Winning seems a little more special when you capture a checkered flag at a speed week. Not everyone is fortunate to experience this, but those who are would rank these victories as some of the biggest in their career. With the extreme difficulty that comes with winning these events, it becomes much more memorable and certainly more rewarding when you find yourself in the winner’s circle.

In summary, if you were ever on the fence about attending a speed week in your future, my advice is to DO IT! You will test yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. You will gain valuable experience and learn a ton. You will make unforgettable memories and new friends. But most of all, win or lose, you will have FUN! That is the good, the bad, and the glorious surviving a speed week.

Related Articles

Top Holiday Gifts for Race Car Drivers 2023
by Mark Houlahan - Posted in News
11/16/2023
Not sure what to get that race car driver in your life? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back this holiday season with our 2023 gift guide!
Speedway Tech Talk - How to Measure for a Racing Suit
12/29/2021
EMi Employee Frank and Speedway Motors employee Jeremy demonstrate how to properly measure for a race suit.
How to Choose a Racing Harness
by Speedway Tech Team - Posted in Tech
12/3/2021
Having a difficult time deciding which racing harness to use? With many options to consider from size to closure type, this article will walk you through how to go about choosing the perfect one for you and your race car. Safety first!
HANS Device Buyers Guide: Choosing & Sizing a Head Neck Restraint
by Jack Hall - Posted in Tech
8/31/2021
HANS Devices are life-saving devices that offer superior protection vs. foam neck braces for all different types of motorsports.
Selecting Quarter-Turn Fasteners
by Jason Lubken - Posted in Tech
8/13/2021
There are several types of quarter-turn fasteners used in the performance automotive aftermarket and in this buyer's guide we'll help show you the correct fastener for your application and how some of the most common types of fasteners are used.
How to Vinyl Wrap a Race Car
by Caleb Filipi - Posted in Tech
8/6/2021
How to vinyl wrap a car with this guide on using a heat gun on your race car. Learn how to remove creases and the best temperature settings.
Tire Grooving and Siping Tips
by Speedway Tech Team - Posted in Tech
7/21/2021
Learn some helpful tips for using your tire groover as well as what direction to cut your grooves and sipes for maximum side bite and forward bite on your dirt circle track race car.
How to Use a Stud Extractor Tool
by Steve Lewis - Posted in Tech
6/15/2021
Broken exhaust studs are a common problem. This article describes what you need and how to remove a broken stud from an exhaust manifold. Learn how simple it is to remove broken or stubborn studs with a Titan Tools stud extractor tool.
Racing Shocks 101
by Speedway Tech Team - Posted in Tech
6/8/2021
Get a good foundation on racing shocks and their different functions. Learn about the fundamentals and the pros and cons between various types of shocks available.
How to Choose Racing Wheels
by Speedway Tech Team - Posted in Tech
6/8/2021
Check out this article to learn about why it's important to choose the right wheels for your race car and which types to choose.