Your car vs. RACE CAR

Cars suffer wear and tear racing on an oval or just rolling down the block. The longevity of car parts and routine maintenance varies, even among similar automobiles. Personal cars can differ based on city driving versus highway miles. Different attention is given, somewhat, to race cars based on how often they run and whether they run on dirt or asphalt tracks.

Tires

Local race car drivers can go through about two sets of tires per summer, typically lasting about six race nights. “The first set of tires I've used this year I've used about five nights,” said Aric Becker of Cedar Rapids, who leads the Sportsmod division at Hawkeye Downs Speedway. “I've got one set that has one night left and another set ready to put on.”

The durability of car tires depends on the style and brand but can remain good for at least 30,000 miles with some lasting up to 80,000.

Filters

These certainly vary. Oil filters are similar to oil with changes at 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Air filters can last longer, but their durability can vary from regular driving to driving on dirt roads. Wyckoff recommends changing only when they're dirty, and Setzer suggests at least a yearly change.

Many race car drivers have reusable filters, which has added longevity. “After so many races you just wash them out, re-oil them and reuse them,” Becker said.

Engine

An engine routinely gets a lot more than 100,000 miles and can last a very long time with proper maintenance. Race car engines vary, depending on whether it's a crate engine sealed at the factory or a 9-to-1 compression engine, according to Becker, who has used the same crate engine since 2004. A difference exists between dirt and asphalt racing. “It depends on the application of racing,” said Steve Setzer, the owner of Performance Concepts Inc. in Marion, which builds cars for racers. “If you put high-quality parts in them, you can run it three seasons (on pavement).”

Brakes

It definitely depends on how and what type of driver you are, but brakes last an estimated 30,000 to 60,000 miles. “It mostly has to deal with driving habits ... where you drive,” said Josh Wyckoff, manager of Tires Plus in southwest Cedar Rapids.

The life span for brakes on a race car is much shorter. “On the pavement at Hawkeye Downs, the brakes are going to last a whole season,” Setzer said. “If you're running a touring series where you're running 250 to 300 laps a weekend, you're not going to run the whole season. You'll end up having to service it about midseason, like after five races.”

Struts/shocks

Road conditions play a vital part in how struts and shocks break down, according to Setzer. Wyckoff said shocks and struts usually last about 50,000 miles, if they don't start leaking or posing other problems first.

Setzer said race car drivers can spend extra money and purchase custom shocks that can be rebuilt and adjusted with regular tests, lasting for a number of years. Dirt tracks can be harsher on shocks and struts. “They'll fail in a crash before they wear out,” Becker said.

Oil

Oil changes are more regular than most maintenance items. It's suggested that oil is changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles or every three to six months, depending on the type of oil used. “The most commonly recommended mileage and time are three months and 3,000 miles,” Wyckoff said.

Race cars need oil changed much more frequently. Becker said he changes oil every six to eight nights, depending on the conditions, including heat and how many laps he drives.