Windows, up or down

[JimLill]

Given the choice, would you track with your windows up or down.

[jamesb]

Always down, easier for a worker to extract you or get out in case of car-b-que situations, also less glass to bust out and attack you in a shunt or roll.

[Warpedcow]

Always up for me:
1. Increased structural rigidity in a roll
2. Curtain airbags seem to be dependent on windows by design
3. My car has rollover detection and shuts down fuel/etc so very unlikely to catch fire in a roll
4. Legendary Volvo safety means in just about any surviveable crash I'll be able to open my door just fine
5. Less noise to distract me from the task of driving
6. AC for those hot summer days
7. Quicker speeds down the straights thanks to less drag
8. Passing by contract is for weenies anyway

(above ranked in descending order of importance, if you couldn't already tell )

[Conan]

Since the question posed is, "...would you track with ...", I prefer them up. It's better aero and I can hear passengers easier. I also don't get the wind interferance on my videos. It's really not a big deal for me either way. If I can choose, I like windows up. But I can see the safety issue logic for windows down.

Regarding safety, I honestly think it depends on the car. I have no data to base that on, it's just speculation.

[trackrat]

Down.

- provides cool air for driver. no A/C.
- provides an exit. Don't assume an impact will not damage the door.
- Allows for point-bys.

As an aside, I was at the track on Monday and caught a car. His windows where up (they were supposed to be down). He tried to give me a signal and wacked his window instead. He then put his window down and put his arm out as I was going by.

[Stack]

I like 'em down... so, in the spirit of there are two sides to every argument:

1. Unless you're out there racing, passing with a contract is a necessity
2. Street cars aren't "quick" enough for window drag to be much of a factor... Most straights aren't long enough either
3. A/C is for weenies
4. More external audible input in order to be more aware of track conditions and other (faster) cars in your immediate vicinity. Besides, wind noise is an indication of speed down those fast straights!
5. As was posted above, don't overestimate what bent sheetmetal can do to ruin the operating efficiency of a door
6. Most cars don't have roll-over detection
7. OK, I got nuthin for curtain airbags
8. I'm still not buying the structural rigidity argument unless your windows are made of Lexan and are, well, structural

I will give a nod to the rare, but reasonable argument for windows up where flying debris can enter the cockpit and hit the driver or passenger. But if you're not following to closely, this shouldn't happen... or if it does, it shouldn't be more than an annoyance.