PJ1 TrackBite (formerly known as VHT TrackBite or simply VHT) is a custom formulated synthetic resin, typically black in color, used in

drag racing Drag racing is a type of motor racing in which automobiles or motorcycles compete, usually two at a time, to be first to cross a set finish line. The race follows a short, straight course from a standing start over a measured distance, mos ...

to either increase the traction of a car's tires or as a sealer for newly ground and/or resurfaced race tracks. It stays sticky for weeks, has fire-retardant properties, and is

hydrophobic In chemistry, hydrophobicity is the chemical property of a molecule (called a hydrophobe) that is seemingly repelled from a mass of water. In contrast, hydrophiles are attracted to water. Hydrophobic molecules tend to be nonpolar and, thu ...

. It has been used in professional racing since 1972. The TrackBite that the

National Hot Rod Association The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) is a governing body which sets rules in drag racing and hosts events all over the United States and Canada. With over 40,000 drivers in its rosters, the NHRA claims to be the largest motorsport sanction ...

uses is yellowish in color and is diluted with

methanol Methanol (also called methyl alcohol and wood spirit, amongst other names) is an organic chemical compound and the simplest aliphatic Alcohol (chemistry), alcohol, with the chemical formula (a methyl group linked to a hydroxyl group, often ab ...

for optimal effect. The compound originated as a high temperature coating made for

NASA The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agencies of the United States government, independent agency of the federal government of the United States, US federal government responsible for the United States ...

by the Sperex Corporation. VHT, a brand owned by Sperex, began offering it for sale commercially. It was taken up by drag racers, and Sperex soon began producing formulations specially made for the sport. Sperex was purchased in 1989 by businessman P. J. Harvey and is now part of PJH Brands.

PJ1 in non-drag racing applications

Oval tracks also use TrackBite to provide extra traction in the corners of what would otherwise be a "one groove racetrack". Its use was prohibited by

NASCAR The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is an American auto racing sanctioning and operating company that is best known for stock car racing. It is considered to be one of the top ranked motorsports organizations in ...

in 2010 to reduce the amount of chemicals used at its events. However, it was used at

Bristol Motor Speedway Bristol Motor Speedway (formerly known as the Bristol International Raceway from 1978 to 1996 and as the Bristol International Speedway from 1961 to 1978) is a oval Oval track racing#Short track, short track in Bristol, Tennessee. The track ha ...

in 2016, 2017, and 2018. Due to its frequent use in recent years at Bristol, TrackBite is often called "Bristol Bite." At Bristol it is used on the bottom of the track in an attempt to restore racing in the bottom groove that has been lost with changes to the banking in 2007 and 2012. Bristol and Charlotte both have regular TrackBite treatment trucks for their drag strips to prepare their tracks for their regular NHRA regional events along with their national events. Bristol's concrete surface uses the treatment similarly to the launch pad for the drag strip, which is concrete. For

IndyCar IndyCar, LLC (stylized as INDYCAR), is an auto racing sanctioning body for American open-wheel car racing headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The organization sanctions two racing series: the premier IndyCar Series with the Indianapolis ...

, PJ1 causes various problems on the racetrack. The combination of lighter vehicles, harder tire compounds, and PJ1 results in less grip. Since the racing drivers avoid surfaces with PJ1 during the race, marbles from tire wear collect there. This leads to a slippery lane. In the IndyCar races of 2019, 2020, and 2021 at Texas Motor Speedway, this resulted in incidents attributable to PJ1.

Formula One Formula One (F1) is the highest class of worldwide racing for open-wheel single-seater formula Auto racing, racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The FIA Formula One World Championship has been one ...

had an issue at the 2012 German Grand Prix with PJ1. Drivers were consistently using the treated sections of the Sudkurve, which doubles as the launch pad for the drag strip at

Hockenheimring The Hockenheimring, officially Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg () is a motor racing circuit situated in the Rhine valley near the town of Hockenheim in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, located on the Bertha Benz Memorial Route. Amongst other mot ...

, to gain traction. That led to sandblasting of the circuit to remove the PJ1. The

Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA; ) is an international organisation with two primary functions surrounding use of the automobile. Its mobility division advocacy, advocates the interests of motoring organisations, the automot ...

was forced to cancel championship status of the European Drag Racing Championship round at Hockenheimring as professional categories were having issues with the cleaned circuit, even after it was reprepped. At the 2019 German Grand Prix, rain during the race led to numerous incidents when drivers slipped and crashed after running into the slick, PJ1-treated part of Hockenheim. The following tracks used or are still using PJ1: *

(2016) *

Charlotte Motor Speedway Charlotte Motor Speedway (known as Lowe's Motor Speedway from 1999 to 2009 due to sponsorship reasons) is a quad-oval Oval track racing#Intermediate, intermediate speedway in Concord, North Carolina. It has hosted various major races since it ...

(2017) * New Hampshire Motor Speedway (2017) * Michigan International Speedway (2019) * Texas Motor Speedway (2019) *

Pocono Raceway Pocono Raceway (formerly known as the Pocono International Raceway in early years) is a tri-oval track in Blakeslee, Pennsylvania. The track has held a variety of events since its opening in 1969, including NASCAR, IndyCar Series, and IMSA GT ...

(2019) * Phoenix Raceway (2021)

References

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External links

Manufacturer's website
Drag racing Adhesives