> On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 00:55:13 +0100, Matthew Knutsen
> >ABS was not something "discovered" in F1. Neither was traction
> >control.Tell me exactly what family sedan aerodynamics have to do
> with
> >F1 aerodynamics?
> Aerodynamics are still very much an unknown science, and being
> furthered by the motorsports and aviation industries - particularly
> F1. As for those inventions, they may not have been invented in F1 but
> they were certainly developed - especially traction control. Then
> there is electronic engine management (a legacy of the thirsty turbo
> days), Honda's VTEC engine, active ride, semi-automatic 'boxes, paddle
> shift, to say nothing of advances in safety and tyre technology.
Citroen ages ago, and, oh dear,by a certain Sir Alec Issigonis!!:))
Porsche had the PDK gearbox system out many years before sequential
gearshift was used in F1
(in the 962 Group C car), "paddle shift", well, I believe the studebaker
had a push-button system<g>.
Safety, well, naah. Carbonfibre is still to expensive for the family
saloons. And it doesn't rust....
Since Goodyear has had a monopoly the last few years (until now,
Brstone gets it..), I would say
it's , more a case of motor racing in general. A formula 1 tire has
nothing to do with standard tyres.
Radial tyres was a nice idea, but Michelin, Firestone, Bridgestone,
Nokia and other brands have
participated in other forms of motorsport of more relevance.
Actually, there's more thruth to it than the sound of it....modern day
F1s are no match for other racecars in bumpy, slow, twitchy sections
because they
have virtually no suspension movement, and rely pretty much on their
aerodynamics.
Just look at how poorly they react to bumps and hairpins..
I have a poster in the workshop where a magazine arranged a Duel between
, i think, the 1993 Williams and
a Rallycross Metro with a twin-turbo 6R4 engine. Naturally, the metro
was blown away above 100 MPH,
but did'nt do too bad before that!
If they let a proper set-up rally car out at Monaco, I think we would be
surprised.
After all, Super Tourers aren't that far away from Formula 3 times....
Matt
--
Matthew Birger Knutsen
Cheek Racing Cars (http://www.racesimcentral.net/~kareknut)
"Racing cars is like dancing with a chainsaw"
-Cale Yarborough