Lead Weights in Sports Racing

Lead is a dense a relatively inexpensive metal. Lead weights have a myriad number of uses in all industry and human activity. In sports, lead weights are used most often horse racing and car racing. rnWhile the object of any race is to win, lead weights are used to different purpose in horse racing and car racing. In horse racing the lead weights are used to ensure a more completive leas predictable race, while in car racing the added lead weight is used fine tune the performance of the car to increase an individual’s chance of winning.rnNuclead has available lead weights for all applications, up to 40,000 lbs in many configurations. rnLead weights for racing car traction and handlingrnIn racing cars lead weights are used to help control the cars traction and handling. While the rules require cars meet a minimum weight to be allowed to race, this is actually a secondary factor in most cases.rnIn order for the racing to move, the engine needs to produce enough power and the tires have to generate enough traction. The more weight the more of both are needed. rnA well constructed race car will need to add weight to meet the rules, but the placement of the added weight can make a significant difference to how the car performs on the track. Lead weights need to be carefully placed in several parts of the chassis for example: • Rear placed weights are important for traction; the amount of weight is determined by the race track conditions. High traction race-tracks will obviously need less weight at the rear, but the track conditions will vary on several factors including the weather, and time into the race. It is important to be able to predict how the race track will change over the race and adjust the lead weight accordingly. • Front placed lead weights are important for steering and handling. Weights are typically placed higher than rear weights in order to increase front roll and subsequently front tire traction. • Side weight is important for handling in the corners. As the car drives into the corners, the weight will tend to transfer onto the outer tires having weight on the sides of the car will tend to keep traction on the inside wheels.rnOne other weight factor that needs to be considered is fuel weight. As the race progresses the car will burn fuel so will become lighter. Depending on the length of the race and track conditions decisions need to be made regarding the percentage of weight at the rear. If there rear weight is high then the handling will improve as the race goes on but the car will not be as fast in the early laps due to the increased weight. So it is key to understand how the race track will change. Lead Weights for handicapping horse races Lead weights are used to handicap horse races, to make the race more competitive. The most important factor in the popularity of horse racing (the sport of kings), is the betting on the result. However, predicting a winner of a race is relatively easy based on the maturity of the horse and its past performance, so in order maintain a competitive betting experience many horse races are handicapped. In addition to the weight of the jockey and the saddle, the horse carries a defined amount of lead weights in the saddle bags. This lead weight is called the “impost” and is assigned by the racing authorities based on several factors. The most important factor that that determines the amount of lead weight added to the saddle bag is the maturity of the horse. Horses are fully mature by the age of three, without the impost a mature horse will always win a race with a younger horse, especially over a longer course. As a result, in 1855 the weight for age scale was introduced by the then steward of the Jockey Club, Henry John Rous. Under the weight for age scale the amount of lead weight the horse carries is determine by the horse’s age, its sex, the race distance and the month.rnAs a result of the handicapping, races become much less predicable and much more interesting. Betting can take place based on how well the horse is performing, and factors such as the horses “pace” (defined as how the horse runs a race front runner, closer etc.), how well the horse looks in the paddock and the skill of the jockey. The handicappers can add additional interest by setting up races between horses with similar paces styles.rnConclusionrnLead weight plays an important part in many sports races, but not always for the same reasons.