How to Install a Driver Cooling System in Your Race Car

A racing car requires a high level of concentration as well as a variety of skills and mental tasks. It demands a great deal of physical work. As a result, the ability to avoid "heat gain" is important for racers to perform at their peak. The healthy human body maintains an internal temperature of around 37 °C. Variations, typically of less than 1°C, depend on the time of day and level of physical activity. A temperature shift of more than 1°C occurs when environmental conditions exceed the capacity of the body to deal with intense heat. Our driver cooling system installation guide explains how to keep the vehicle cool and install the cooling system.

Professional racing drivers now benefit from better cooling systems. These technologies have been thoroughly researched and designed to provide drivers with the maximum level of ease and efficiency. Techniques for cooling include ice packs and moist towels, as well as cool clothes and suits. Continue reading to learn more about driver cooling systems, including the upsides of cool shirts, and why Westwood Racing Supplies is the right choice for achieving the best results on the racetrack.

Types of Driver Cooling Systems

Cool shirt systems circulate cool water through the shirt. It consists of a cooler filled with ice or chilled water, a pump, and a shirt with coolant tubes.
Phase Change Material (PCM) vests use materials that retain heat as they change from solid to liquid.
Helmet coolers allow cooling without using a power supply. They add to the comfort of drivers during races by blowing cold air into the helmet.
Hydration systems range from simple straw-fed bottles to more complex installations that include pumps that deliver fluids directly to the driver.

Components of a Race Car Driver Cooling System

A basic driver cooling system consists of a cool shirt or cooling vest with tubing for coolant circulation. The Coolshirt motorsports pump pumps coolant from a cooler filled with ice or cold water, and tubes connect the pump to the garment. ASparco ABC 2-Liter portable extinguisher is recommended for additional safety.

Cooling Shirt Driver System

Cool shirts, sometimes known as cooling vests, use a variety of innovations to regulate body temperature in hot conditions for drivers during racing competitions. There are two types offered. The first cools the body by circulating coolant around the clothing, removing excess heat. The second type employs PCM to remove heat as the cooling medium changes from solid to liquid. This is how they work:

Cool shirts useevaporative cooling as they are made of moisture-absorbing and retaining materials. When water is applied to the shirt, either by soaking or using the built-in hydration system, the moisture evaporates from the surface of the fabric.
Cool shirts use phase change material (PCM). PCM is like a substance that absorbs and retains heat. When you get heated, the PCM in the shirt converts from solid to liquid and absorbs your body heat. This makes you feel cool. When you begin to cool down, the PCM returns to its solid state and releases the heat it has collected.
The latest collections of cool shirts may feature active cooling systems, such as battery-powered fans or pumps, to circulate chilled air or water through the garment. These systems actively remove heat from the body. Some cooling vests are also compatible with external cooling units or ice packs.
Cool shirts often have insulated layers that help control temperature by keeping cool air close to the body and preventing external heat from entering.
In order to disperse better, the moisture-wicking feature transfers moisture from the skin to the surface of the fabric.

Cool Shirt Motor Sports Pump

The blackmotorsports pump is a direct replacement for all Cool Shirt hard drive coolingsystems. The pump is an industrial-grade water pump that provides superior efficiency and reliable service for years for your Cool Shirt System.

Sparco ABC 2 Liter Extinguisher Handheld

This is a portable extinguisher with a 2 liter capacity. It has two kilograms of ABC powder, which is useful against several kinds of fires. The handheld shape makes it portable, making it quick to use in an emergency.

Installation Steps for a Driver Cooling System

Below are the steps that you can follow to get a driver cooling system installed in your racing car.

Get Your Materials Ready

Make sure you have all the required parts before beginning the installation:

You will need a cool shirt motor sports pump to circulate the coolant.
Pick a cooling vest or shirt.
Get a bag or hard case cooler to store ice or cold water.
You need to have the appropriate hoses and connectors for your system.
You must have a fire extinguisher for fire safety.

Set Up the Cooler

The first thing to do is put ice or cold water in your cooler. Maintain a low temperature by properly sealing your hard case cooler.
The pump and cooler need to be attached next. You can view the guidelines provided by the manufacturer for sealing the pump.

Wear the Cooling Shirt/Vest and Adjust the Cooling System

Put on the Phase Change Materials (PCM) Vest or Cool Shirt.
Consider it important to place the cooler safely within the racing car, preferably where the driver can reach it easily.
Adjust it in such a way that it remains steady and does not move throughout the race.
Attach the hoses to the cooler.
Connect the hoses from the pump to the shirt or vest. There should be no leaks.
Connect the hoses from the cooler to the driver's position—this is the next and most important step.
Stay away from anything that could cut the hoses, such as hot parts or sharp edges.

Safety Inspections

Double-check that all of the hose connections are secure and that nothing will cause problems for the driver during the race. Please do not hesitate to contact us by phone, email, or in person at our Los Angeles store if you require any additional information.

Benefits of a Driver Cooling System

The racer benefits from using a driver cooling system in several ways.

It prevents heat-related illnesses, including heat stroke and exhaustion, by keeping the body temperature within a healthy range.
Systems for cooling drivers improve comfort levels overall in competitions. These systems help prevent sweating and discomfort from too much heat by controlling body temperature.
Driver cooling systems can help the drivers during a race, as longer periods of focused driving are possible when drivers are at ease and not overheated.

Top Brands for Cool Shirts in Motor Sports

When it comes to high-quality cool shirts for motor sports, several brands stand out for their quality.

The White Cool Shirt is a special piece of clothing that helps you stay cool. It contains tiny tubes that transport cold water. This chilly water helps to reduce your body temperature. The garment links to a little machine that stores ice and water. The tubes in the shirt are pumped with cold water by this machine. The shirt covers a large portion of your body, and it is great for keeping racers cool, especially in hot environments like race vehicles. Many notable athletes use it to stay cool and perform better.
The Sparco Ice Vest has 8 low profile cooling inserts that fit into watertight zipped compartments in the lining of the jacket. The cooling inserts are charged by soaking them in water and then freezing them for at least an hour. Once charged, they can provide hours of body cooling, depending on the temperature. The vest includes two full sets of cooling inserts (16), and more inserts can be purchased for longer periods of body cooling.
Alpinestars Cooling Vest before the race is used to lower body core temperature and prevent heat fatigue. Its lightweight chassis and refillable water chamber make it easy to use again and again. The specially engineered stretch inserts and ventilation vents maximize airflow and breathability. An innovative refillable water chamber and cooling system properly distribute moisture for long-term cooling.
TST cooling vests are a stand-alone cooling solution that uses PCM. It makes use of specialized cooling packs. It must be refrigerated for a few hours before wearing the cooling packs. If you need it right away, you can store it in the freezer or in cold water for a shorter period of time. The cooling packs begin to work after your body heats them up. The vest can keep you cool for up to four hours in a heated environment. The vest is available in both conventional and fireproof materials. It includes adjustable straps, so it will fit most individuals. The cooling packs can be readily removed to clean the vest or replaced with new ones.

Get Our Driver Cooling Solution Right Away

When it comes to driver cooling systems, Westwood Racing Supplies has the components to provide you with an energy-efficient and affordable cooling system for drivers with high heat sensitivity. We work to provide auto racers with a cooling system that has no constraints, making it ideal for challenging weather conditions. We guarantee a cooling system that effectively regulates body temperature. Choose us to keep yourself at ease during the competitions that demand focus and strength. All the high-performance features of our driver cooling system allow drivers to test their limits without being bothered by heat-related issues.