I borrowed a thermal camera and took some very interesting photos of my Mini, after a ten minute run. In particular it shows the relative temperatures; some components (eg exhaust and cylinder head) heat up quickly while others (eg sump) take much longer.
The camera, scales each photo, from hottest to coldest, on the scale on the left hand side and also gives the temperature of the target near the centre of the picture.

hot stuff!!

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Fascinating images... I recently made a firewall blanket from PVC vinyl (ebay) and 3mm polyester felt (spotlight). Good to know the temperatures are well within tolerances for the material.

Very fascinating.
Now I want a camera to look at my race mini after an event.

I have booked the camera again from my library for next week, to try to chase down a parasitic draw in our Forester.
Let me know if there is any particular part of my Mini that you would like me to focus on as well.
Since I bought my Mini I have regularly checked the temperatures right around the car after a run, with an Infra Red "heat gun". My "logic" is that any change from "normal" is suspicious and worth looking into. The camera is much easier and more sensitive but is also about 20 times more expensive. (For a race car even a dragging brake, or worn bearing could lead to an expensive failure, so buying a camera might be good insurance).
Dave D