Stock Car Windshields - The Windshield

Many of the factory-built cars, like the Dirt Late Models, seem to have the mud guards built into the chassis. The Street Stock classes and the factory stock guys are on their own when it comes to building the mud guard or windscreen. Many racers are clever and have developed some very good designs. Most are made from 1/4 or 3/8 steel bar stock. The racers take a section of 1010 or 1020 steel, cut the steel into sections and weld it together to form an open grid which is mounted to the car, usually by welding it in place. On top of this is placed an open metal screen often with the openings being 3/4- to 7/8-inch. This provides the driver with good visibility and a good level of protection from flying mud and other debris often found on the track. This wire mesh is often held in place with zip ties or safety wire for easy cleaning and replacement as necessary.

Saturday night racers should first consult the rules that govern the cars that race in their area. Not all tracks are open to anything that the racers may dream up. It is the racer's responsibility to check the rules prior to making any type of windscreen, to ensure that the design will meet the rules. If you are racing at multiple tracks you may have a more difficult task, making sure that the windscreen you build meets all the rules at all the tracks you race at on a regular basis.

Just like every other part on a racecar, the windscreen is not a maintenance-free part of the car. You need to make sure that all of the hardware holding the windscreen to the car is in good condition and is torqued to the correct specification. If the windscreen is welded to the chassis, make sure that the welds are in good condition. This is an area of the car that usually does not receive any type of attention until something breaks. This should be part of the regular maintenance program.

If your racecar has a Lexan windshield you will need to inspect it on a regular basis. You will notice that scratches will be a regular part of your life, and there are special products on the market to help you rub out the smaller scratches. Always check for compatibility with the Lexan prior to using a product that will damage the windshield. However, the best way to clean Lexan is usually with mild soap and water. Make sure that you use a clean soft rag. Make sure the rag is free from any grit or dirt or you could be doing just as much damage as good.

You can prolong the life of the windshield by keeping a good coat of wax on the outside and inside. Just remember that all waxes are not compatible with Lexan and some can actually damage the windshield to the point of necessitating replacement. There are special waxes and polishes on the market that will help you to keep this type of windshield in peak performance. Check with your windshield supplier for the best products. The point is that this is an area of the car that will require some time to maintain.

Just like any other part of the racecar, you need to take the time to ensure that the whole system is in good working order prior to going to the track. If you can't see out of the car, you won't be able to find Victory Lane.