VHT TrackBite
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VHT TrackBite is used in drag racing to increase the tires's traction or as a sealer for newly ground and/or resurfaced race tracks.
It is a black liquid resin that stays sticky for weeks. It has fire-retardant properties and is hydrophobic. It is generally sprayed onto the track from either a 55-gallon (208-liter) drum or 1 gallon, 2.5 liter and 15 liter plastic jug.
VHT TRACKBITE SP-162 is the consumer formulation and comes in 1 gallon, 2.5 liter and 15 liter sizes.
VHT TRACKBITE CONCENTRATE SP-163, the commercial formulation, comes in 55 gallon drums.
VHT TRACKBITE CONCENTRATE SP-165 is formulated especially for oval racing, and also comes in a 55 gallon drum.
It can also be sprayed from specialized VHT spraying tanks. The VHT that the NHRA uses, commercial "VHT TRACKBITE CONCENTRATE" is yellowish in color and some (maybe all) dragstrips dilute it with methanol for optimum effect. VHT Trackbite contains no petroleum distillates and is biodegradable when dry. It has been used in professional racing since 1972.
[edit] History
The compound originated as a high temperature coating made for NASA by the Sperex Corporation; VHT is a brand owned by Sperex. It was taken up by drag racers, and Sperex soon began producing formulations specially made for the sport. Sperex was purchased in 1989 by P. J. Harvey (a businessman, not Polly Jean Harvey the singer) and is now part of PJH Brands.
