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Deer Trail, CO
Live motorsport conditions at the circuit
Temperature
75F
Humidity
13%
Wind
4 mph
Pressure
1001 hPa
Density altitude
1,498 ft
Track surface
73F
No public description is available for this track.
Elevation Change
300 ft
Precipitation
none
Alerts
1
Air Quality Alert
Air Quality Alert issued June 12 at 4:10PM MDT by NWS Denver CO
“Density altitude is a great tool for making sure your plane is able to fly in given weather conditions. And it does a great job of helping you jet a carburetor, but it is not really ideal for motorsports corrections from an engine-tuning standpoint. Engine power is not directly related to density altitude.”
Practical Engine Airflow — John Baechtel
High Plains sits at 5,700 ft where the thin air reduces naturally aspirated engine power by roughly 15%. Baechtel's insight that engine power corrections at altitude are complex means you should not simply apply a blanket correction factor. Turbocharged cars fare better (the turbo compensates), but naturally aspirated cars lose significant power. Adjust your expectations for straight-line speed and braking distances — less power means less kinetic energy, which actually reduces braking demands slightly.
“Aerodynamic downforce increases the tires' cornering ability. The significance of aerodynamic downforce to race cars is extremely important, especially on tracks with high-speed, unbanked turns.”
Race Car Aerodynamics — Simon McBeath
At 5,700 ft elevation, air density is roughly 20% lower than sea level, which reduces aerodynamic downforce by the same proportion. McBeath's principle about downforce increasing cornering ability means that at High Plains, aero-dependent cars lose a significant chunk of their cornering advantage. Mechanical grip becomes proportionally more important — tire compound, pressure, and suspension setup matter more here than at sea-level tracks.
“If the tire is operating much below its designed temperature range, it will lack stick. If it is operating very far above it, it is in danger of blistering or chunking due to local destruction of the rubber compound's internal cohesion from excessive heat.”
Tune to Win — Carroll Smith
High Plains' altitude creates a counterintuitive tire challenge. Smith's temperature-window principle is complicated by the thin air: less aerodynamic drag means slightly lower straight-line tire heating, but the reduced air density also means less convective cooling. Combined with Colorado's temperature swings — cold mornings, hot afternoons — the tire operating window shifts significantly throughout the day. Check tire temps frequently and adjust pressures to keep the compound in its designed range.
Find HPDE organizers, car clubs, and sanctioning bodies that run events at High Plains Raceway.