Nascar: 2010

[Wayne Maybury]

Don, glad to hear that the spoilres are moving ahead.

Ron, I believe the no-fueling rule has to do with safety. F1 had quite a few fueling problems the past couple of years resulting in fuel spills and some fires. They increased the size of the fuel tanks from 80 litres to 250 litres this year.

They must use 2 different tires during the race so every car must pit at least once. The best teams were changing 4 tires in 2.8 seconds. The interesting thing was to watch lap times that were affected by tires wearing out versus a lighter fuel load as it was being used up. The best lap times were turned later in the race when the cars came out of the pits with new tires while not having all that much fuel left on board.

Wayne

[Ron61]

Wayne,

I kind of figured it may have to do with the fuel spills they have had in the past. But just think what a fire they could have if two of the cars crashed just right and caused one of those full fuel cells to explode.

As for the spoilers, I saw on one of the sites the other day that they will be at a 70 degree angle and the teams won't be allowed to adjust them.

EDIT: Just saw this on the NASCAR site. The spoilers will be on the cars starting the 28th. http://www.nascar.com/2010/news/head...lle/index.html

Ron

[Don]

From past articles, believe the initial reason for no refueling was safety oriented, inclusive of leaving the pits with the hose still attached, spills in the pits, etc. Forgot the exact number, but the GPM for F1 refueling was extremely high.

Carrying a full fuel load for the race but only the minimum needed to qualify was to add another variable in race strategy, same as starting on either the soft or hard tire compound, at least one set of each required during the race , believe for a F1 pit stop, there are 14 crew members, or use to be with refueling.

Summary of 2010 F1 Rule Changes

http://www.formula1.com/inside_f1/ru...ulations/8692/

[Wayne Maybury]

Don

I wouldn't swear to it, but I think I heard that each pit crew consists of 18 members. There are 3 for each wheel, (one with the wrench, one for the tire coming off and one for the tire going on) plus a front and a rear jack man so that is 14 right there. They always have a couple of other guiys available to make minor adjustments or clear away debris, etc.

Wayne

[Don]

The USA Today version:

* March 28th @ Martinsville, spoiler start date

* " Shark fin " , see article

* Quote of the month from Robin Pemberton: " would ( the spoiler ) increase drag and reduce the speed during a spin, which is key to preventing liftoff "

* Reference to wind tunnel testing of a car backwards

http://www.usatoday.com/SPORTS/usaed...T_U.htm?csp=34

[Wayne Maybury]

Don I get the feeling that NASCAR is being very careful in how they comment on the spoiler versus the wing controversy. It seems like they do not want to appear to be admitting that they screwed up by going with the wing in the first place.

Wayne

[Ron61]

Wayne & Don,

I believe that with the current F1 set up, I would start on the hard compound tires while I had the weight to help with traction and then change to the softer compound after a certain amount of fuel was gone. You would be slower at the start than the ones on softer com[pounds, but they won't be as fast as they would with less weight and you could make up what you lost by staying out a few laps longer while they changed tires unless you were way behind.

As for the wing, I am happy to see it go. As someone stated in an earlier post, when they showed the wreck in slow motion you could see that wing kind of bend up which means it was lifting the car. Just sit next to a window over an airliner wing and watch it as they take off and climb. As for NASCAR admitting they made a mistake, never happen.

Ron