I like to be pretty cool as well. I don`t run a thermostat on either car, and ideally, I`d like to be about 145F at the starting line, but thats kinda tough to do in real life, especially in the warm summer temps. Realistically, I am usually about 140-145 in the burnout box, and 160ish on the starting line. With driving up the returm road, getting the ET slip, and driving back to the pits, I`m usually up to 185-190, sometimes closer to 200 if traffic is heavy in the pits. Since I don`t have a generator to charge the battery between rounds, I perfer not to run the water pump any more than neccasary. After a run, I usually spray down the rad with water in a garden sprayer, and run the water pump for a few minites to get the temp down to 140, then turn off the pump, and spray the rad again. If its a good day, and I`m going some rounds, I will often flush the rad in the water cool down area in a hot lap situation. My Fairmont has a V6 Firebird aluminum rad, the Mustang uses a stock 5.9 rad, both have Moroso electric water pump drives, although a CSR, Mezirere, (or maybe a Jay Brown/CVR ) electric pump are on the wish list. The Fairmont has a fiberglass FlexALite fan on the Edelbrock water pump, the Mustang uses a stock aluminum reverse rotation 5.0 pump, and a single cheapo electric rad fan. Both cars have a single battery and stock alternator, and have no trouble going thru a 2 day weekend without any re charging, although if a buddy next to me has his generator handy, I may borrow it for 1/2 hour if I feel it is a good idea on a hectic hot lap day, or if its getting dark, and I need to use the headlights.