Shade At The Racetrack

[NO COMPROMISE 50]

Here in Florida (as many places) the sun can be brutal when spending a weekend at the track and working on the car.

I thought I made a good choice having an attached awning on my trailer but found almost any wind makes the awning unusable. Perhaps a different design would work in the wind but others echoed my dismay at just how flimsy the roll out awning is. There is a reason you see so many canopies at the track.

So after a little research I bought 2 10' x 10' EZ Up canopies. I chose steel frames - although heavier - for a more sturdy structure on windy days. I also had them made with vented tops based on the shared experiences of other racers. I felt 2 10' x 10' would be easier to move around, setup, and store vs. a larger and heavier 10' x 20' canopy.

Since nobody stocks the EZ Up Eclipse with vented tops (custom order only) I just ordered direct from EZ Up in California. The factory was very helpful answering all my questions and advising what would best fit my needs. Surprising but a dark color is actually cooler than lighter colors - just the opposite of what I would have thought. When I initially looked I was going to go white or light grey but after talking to the factory decided on dark burgandy. They built just what I need and shipped in less than 2 weeks, including special order color, storage bags, and sand fillable weight bags. Their price with all the options was better than some of the discount retailers who offered no options.

I feel they will pay for themselves in only a few track outings with the shade they will provide. Interested to see how these hold up in a strong wind all weekend.

Curious to hear others experience with both a trailer mounted awning and a stand alone canopy.

[BayouTiger 88]

I've had better success with QwikShade than EzUp. My Summit got beat up pretty bad at the Mile in October, but I was amazed it survived at all. I use it mostly for Tailgating and the side panels make it almost twice as big when they are up. I gave my old one to me sis and just got another. Dick's had it locally.

[Blue Blur 45]

Alot of guys screw them to their wood deck trailers when at the track. let the wind blow.

[NO COMPROMISE 50]

I use a large tarp on the ground so no wood there to screw down to.

[BayouTigress 73]

In our case the wind broke one of the metal cross frame members at a rivet so it really needs to be fixed to hold it shape properly. Wood would not have mattered. We have the round weights with the slight in the side that slide over the feet to weigh it down so it can sit in any surface.

[Tout 60]

My large trailer has one of these, great if staying at the track for more than a day, for day trips can't beat the EZ.

www.canopyguy.com

[Adanac Charger 30]

We found the same issues with the retractable awning on our travel trailer.

We use 10'x10' pop ups at sporting events and as long as you strap/tie them down, they're great. I have two that are about 7 years old and still going.

[BayouTiger 88]

We got caught in a tropical storm at the mile, and ours went through 30+ mph winds. Didn't blow away because rain was pooling in it. Rain did more damage than wind. But amazed it even survived.

[CenTxRT 3]

I have 2 of the cheap 10x10's. One from Academy and the other form Harbor Freight I think.

The Academy one got blown away at one of the Texas MoparFests in Sealy and the frame is bent but it still works.

I just lash them together to make a 10x20 and weigh them down and I've never had an issue.