Drag Race Weather Stations & Equipment

What Does A Drag Racing Weather Station Measure?

A drag racing weather station measures temperature, barometric pressure and relative humidity, then turns those readings into numbers that show how much power your engine can make. Those three inputs are the core of every unit. Most stations also calculate values that make the raw data easier to use at the track.

• Density altitude, a single number that describes air density
• Air density ratio and horsepower correction factor
• Grains of water, dew point and vapor pressure
• Wind speed and wind direction on models with a wind sensor
• Percent oxygen and oxygen altitude on select oxygen-sensor models

Higher density altitude means thinner air, and thinner air means slower ETs. Tracking these readings run to run helps you understand why your car slowed down or picked up.

You'll find these units alongside other bracket tools in our delay boxes, weather stations and practice trees category.

Handheld Vs. Trailer-Mounted Racing Weather Stations

A handheld weather station is portable and affordable, while a trailer-mounted weather station stays in place and samples the air all day. Handheld meters fit in your pocket or toolbox and take readings wherever you're standing. For accurate numbers, keep a handheld unit in the shade and out of the car, since sunlight and engine heat skew the temperature.

Trailer-mounted stations use a pole-mounted sensor that watches conditions continuously. Many can send text updates or pages, so you'll see the air change while you're in the staging lanes. Portable analyzers sit between the two, with an internal fan that pulls fresh air across the sensors.

If you run a few weekends a year, a handheld may be enough. If you chase points every weekend, a trailer-mounted station saves time and keeps a steady log. Pair either one with delay boxes and practice trees to build a complete bracket setup.

How ET Prediction And Density Altitude Help Your Dial-In

Density altitude and ET prediction help you set a dial-in that matches the air your car will run in. When density altitude rises, the air is thinner, your engine makes less power and your ET slows, so your dial-in needs to go up. When it drops, the car picks up and you'll dial down.

ET prediction software compares current weather to a database of your own runs, then estimates your next time. That database is the key. A station needs a record of your runs before its predictions become reliable, so log every pass with the weather, ET and any notes about the car.

Air is only part of the picture. Track temperature affects traction, and traction changes how your car leaves and how consistent it runs. Learn how tire choice plays into that with our guide to drag radials vs. slicks.

Weather Station Brands At JEGS: Kestrel, Computech And Altronics

JEGS carries racing weather stations from three brands. Kestrel offers the Kestrel Handheld Racing Weather Meter with 14 total measurements. It reads moisture content in grains, air density, relative air density, relative humidity, temperature, barometric pressure and wind speed, with a 1600-point data log.

Computech Systems builds the RaceAir line. RaceAir Cloud trailer stations add text messaging, which requires internet, plus optional paging and a 40 ft extension cable. The RaceAir Pro is portable, with automatic air sampling and ET prediction programs for throttle stop, run completer and carburetor jetting.

The RaceAir Weather Analyzer is a portable, fan-aspirated unit that calculates correction factor, density altitude and grains.

Altronics makes the PerformAIRE PRO Weather Station. It measures temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, grains of water, dew point and horsepower correction factor, plus percent oxygen on O2 models. Paired with RaceWORKS software, it handles ET and throttle-stop prediction and sends paging or smartphone messages.

How Much Does A Racing Weather Station Cost?

Racing weather station price depends on the type, with handheld meters costing the least and trailer-mounted systems with texting costing the most. Here's how current JEGS prices break down.

• Kestrel handheld racing weather meters at $309 and $369
• Altronics PerformAIRE PRO with wind sensor at $1,124.99
• Altronics PerformAIRE PRO with oxygen and wind sensor at $1,349.99
• Altronics PerformAIRE PRO with paging system and wind sensor at $2,024.99
• Computech RaceAir Cloud trailer stations with texting between $1,349.95 and $2,999.95

Budget for accessories too. JEGS stocks a RaceAir wind meter vane assembly for $54.95, a 40 ft extension cable for $149.95 and a storage mount for $99.95. A PerformAIRE PRO pager runs $251.99.

Start with the tool that fits your racing schedule, then shop our full lineup of ignition, electrical and tuning parts to round out your program. For setup and strategy tips, read our bracket racing tech articles.