Hello List,
Received the following Article in an Oct. 10, 2000 email publication.
Thought the Roadster List (activity seems to be light) might be interested
in the Article. Weight Distribution is often discussed, but seldom fully
understood especially by non Physics types like me. :') Yet it has a
dramatic impact on handling and performance, when one is trying to maximize
performance.
The Dallas Morning News and on dallasnews.com
by Tony Fabrizio
The Finish Line - Inside Motor Sports
"NASCAR teams don't want to throw weight around"
Oct. 10, 2000
"Ever wonder why NASCAR teams will try to get away with lighter engine parts
or titanium wheel hubs or holes drilled in the roll cage?"
"After all, a Winston Cup car still has to weigh 3,400 pounds when it is
rolled onto the scale for inspection. What good does it do to take away
weight from one place if you only have to have put it back in another?"
"Well, Craftsman Truck Series points leader Greg Biffle provided some good
insight during a recent visit to Texas Motor Speedway. The answer is that
the location of the weight in a car makes all the difference in the world.
Engineers try to get as much of the weight as possible to the center of the
car, and then, as low as possible in the car."
"Biffle used the analogy of a pencil affixed with two small led weights. If
the two weights are placed in the center of the pencil, it rotates left and
right with ease. But if the weights are placed at either end of the pencil,
there's much more inertia involved in the rotation of the pencil. A race car
works the same way."
"The issue came up during a discussion of the magnesium intake manifold that
got Jeff Gordon's team in trouble recently. General Motors issued a press
release saying the magnesium manifold provided no horsepower advantage over
a regular aluminum one. But apparently, the magnesium manifold is lighter
than the aluminum one, allowing for some weight savings in the engine
compartment."
For what it is worth, DaimlerChrysler is experimenting on Forging Titanium
Piston Rods vs Forged Steel for the Dodge Viper. They believe the weight
saving will provide improved performance and a higher CAFE miles per gallon
rating. Saving weight in a rotating object, reduces energy required to
overcome the initial inertia. That is why lighter flywheels and wheels are
desired. The Viper boys may also be tired of getting beat by a Corvette.
Enjoy the ride,
Mark Gill
Denton, TX
1970 SRL311-14359 waiting on a shorter starter to enjoy the ride.
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