Have you ever inspected the track after 2 rounds of 20+ ET trucks? The groove from the rear wheels to just past the beams is like polished concrete and just as slick!
:doh:
It doesn't have anything to do with "soot". Personally I believe it is mainly due to tires.
1- Guys with aggressive A/T tires, or just plain street tires, trying to be cool by doing big smokey burnouts:badidea: All that does is make an already "not track friendly" tire more greasy and promote more tire spin.
2- A/T tires, by their design, bite into and remove the rubber and glue from the track. Add those same type tires spinning and it is like taking a grinder to the track.
3- The guys that start spinning then proceed to do an 1/8 mi burnout instead of liffting. (see #2) You can literally watch the rubber being ripped off the track:doh:
At almost every "all diesel" event I ask in the Drivers Meeting what the running order will be and if the track will be prepped before the faster classes run or after the ET guys. If not, I have had good success running slightly out of the groove where the track is a little "fresher". Although, it is a very fine line.
I rarely have traction problems at other events with mainly "drag tire" cars.
Now, before all the kiddies get their panties wadded up LOL, I'm not suggesting anything "bad" about the ET guys!! It is just a nature of the vehicle. But also some commonsense needs to be used when racing a "non race" vehicle. Another thing is the track personnel need to be informed and aware of what will happen and be willing to do the additional prep that will be needed.