Goin to see NASCAR racin' this weekend at Lime Rock. Those guys know how to
rock on the track!!!!!
Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: Mark Gill <willie2570@hotmail.com>
To: <datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 7:05 PM
Subject: It Is Not What you Weigh, but Weight Distribution
> 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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