PJ1 TrackBite (formerly known as VHT TrackBite or simply VHT) is a custom formulated

synthetic resin Synthetic resins are industrially produced resins, typically viscous substances that convert into rigid polymers by the process of curing. In order to undergo curing, resins typically contain reactive end groups, such as acrylates or epoxides. ...

, 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, most c ...

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 physical property of a molecule that is seemingly repelled from a mass of water (known as a hydrophobe). In contrast, hydrophiles are attracted to water. Hydrophobic molecules tend to be nonpolar and, th ...

. 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 drag racing 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 motorspo ...

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 and the simplest aliphatic alcohol, with the formula C H3 O H (a methyl group linked to a hydroxyl group, often abbreviated as MeOH). It is a ...

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

NASA The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agency of the US federal government responsible for the civil space program, aeronautics research, and space research. NASA was established in 1958, succeeding t ...

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. The privately owned company was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1948, and hi ...

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 Bristol International Raceway and Bristol Raceway, is a NASCAR short track venue located in Bristol, Tennessee. Constructed in 1960, it held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961. Bristol is among the m ...

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 Charlotte ( ) is the List of municipalities in North Carolina, most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located in the Piedmont (United States), Piedmont region, it is the county seat of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Meckl ...

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 the

IndyCar INDYCAR, LLC, is an American-based auto racing sanctioning body for Indy car racing and other disciplines of open wheel car racing. The organization sanctions five racing series: the premier IndyCar Series with its centerpiece the Indianapolis ...

, PJ1 causes various problems on the racetrack. The combination of lighter vehicles, harder tire compounds and PJ1 mean 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 in

Fort Worth Fort Worth is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Texas and the 13th-largest city in the United States. It is the county seat of Tarrant County, covering nearly into four other counties: Denton, Johnson, Parker, and Wise. According ...

, this resulted in incidents attributable to PJ1.

Formula One Formula One (also known as Formula 1 or F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The World Drivers' Championship, ...

had an issue with the

2012 German Grand Prix The 2012 German Grand Prix, formally the Formula 1 Grosser Preis Santander von Deutschland 2012, was a Formula One motor race that took place on 22 July 2012 as the tenth round of the 2012 Formula One season, 2012 season. After being held at the N ...

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 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 motor racing events, it has hos ...

, to gain traction. That led to sandblasting of the circuit to remove the PJ1. The result was the FIA 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: * Bristol Motor Speedway (2016) * Charlotte Motor Speedway (2017) * New Hampshire Motor Speedway (2017) * Michigan Speedway (2019) * Texas Motor Speedway (2019) * Pocono Raceway (2019) * Phoenix Raceway (2021)

References

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External links

Manufacturer's website
Drag racing Adhesives