How Much Power is too much

[scottj]

Wayne,
This is not meant to be a detailed explanation, but instead an example of the 14% factor as I am familiar with.
The most controversial subject in circle track racing right now is traction control and for the most part it is illegal. The whole idea behind traction control is to keep wheel slippage to the 14% number that Richard mentioned. The simplest devices are preprogrammed to retard the timing if the unit senses RPM increasing faster than it would at 14% slippage. The more advanced units use wheel speed or drive shaft speed sensors and ground speed sensors to compare ground speed to wheel speed and then accurately calculate slippage, then retard timing.
Tests have proven that forward bite is best and lap times are quickest when slippage is kept to 14%. The better drivers use RFTC or right foot traction control, but even the best can’t compete with an on board computer. Typically the more power you have the harder it is to CONSISTANTLY control slippage using RFTC.
A while back I was involved in a thread about BB vs. SB where I loosely quoted Mario as having said he that he was able to go faster with the 351W spec racer than with the over powered 408W. I don’t think anyone believed that too much power is not better than the right amount of power, even when one of the world best drivers says it.
Scott