Using compressed air, the NASCAR® Air Titan™ pushes water off of the racing surface and onto the apron where vacuum trucks and Jet dryers will remove the remainder of the moisture
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The NASCAR® Research and Development Center in Concord, North Carolina, was tasked with developing a means to shorten the delay caused by rain
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NASCAR® Chairman and CEO Brian France tasked the team at the NASCAR® Research and Development Center in Concord, North Carolina, with developing a means to shorten the delay caused by rain. The reasons were many, but at the top of the list was the goal of reducing wait times before racing resumes following a downpour for fans in the grandstands or watching on television.
Phase 1 of NASCAR® Chairman and CEO Brian France’s vision was to introduce the Air Titan™ track drying system during Speedweek at Daytona International Speedway. This innovative technology, steeped in science and created by the NASCAR® R&D Center, will reduce track drying time, improve the racing product and enhance the fan experience.
As part of the Air Titan™ development process, the NASCAR® R&D Center incorporated the high-flow air filter technology found in K&N performance air filters
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NASCAR® R&D found that switching to K&N air filters allowed maintenance crews to remove the filters with the Air Titan™ blower still in the vehicle
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“In a short amount of time, our talented team at the NASCAR R&D Center imagined, designed and built the Air Titan, an innovative device that will dramatically improve the race-viewing experience for our fans,” France said of the initiative’s first phase. “With its far-reaching potential and impact, we believe the Air Titan is a big win for the motorsports industry, and eventually will enhance many surface cleaning and drying industries as well.”
With the ultimate goal of reducing track-drying time by up to 80%, the NASCAR® R&D team took an advanced scientific approach during the production of the Air Titan™. Using compressed air, the Air Titan™ efficiently and reliably pushes water off of the racing surface and onto the apron where vacuum trucks will remove the remainder of the moisture. Jet dryers will follow each Air Titan™, drying any excess water that remains on the racing surface.
Oil samples have proven that using K&N air filters, and K&N oil filters, have reduced the amount of particles entering the engine which will prolong the life of the engine and blower unit
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Over time, the innovations of the NASCAR Air Titan™, along with reusable K&N air filters, will lessen the carbon footprint of track drying, decrease emissions, noise pollution, & waste
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As part of the Air Titan™ development process, NASCAR® incorporated the high-flow air filter technology found in K&N performance air filters. K&N and NASCAR® have fully equipped the Air Titan™ track drying system with K&N filters, K&N oil filters, and K&N breather filters. During testing the NASCAR® R&D team noted several advantages to using K&N filters, which include reduced maintenance times, cleaner running engines, and the ability to reuse the K&N air filters. NASCAR® R&D found that switching to K&N air filters allowed maintenance crews to remove the filter with the blower until still in the vehicle. The factory style filter on the blower required the entire unit to be removed just to change the filter. Additionally, oil samples have proven that using K&N air filters, and K&N oil filters, have reduced the amount of particles entering the engine, which in turn will prolong the life of the engine and blower unit.
For the immediate future, jet dryers and vacuum trucks will continue to be used during track-drying efforts. Over time, the innovations of the Air Titan™ will lessen the carbon footprint of track drying, decreasing both emissions and noise pollution. The next evolution in the innovative technology will be to optimize the power source.
NASCAR® and its marks are trademarks of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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