James D wrote:
airnutz wrote:
tom d. friedman wrote:
The more complicated the driveline the more weight=less speed. To paraphrase a Brit racing term, "you must add lightness".
Curiously, that doesn't hold true for land speed racing. You need weight for traction on the salt, since neither cornering or acceleration is really a factor.
I think the push start is just an assist for cars that are geared so high that they have trouble pulling away from a standstill without bogging the motor down.
Hmmm...I've followed a few builds and some things were changed in design stated toward reducing weight. Perhaps it was just "racer habit". Maybe it's weight bias toward keeping it in a straight line. I would also think you would want a minimum amount of shifts past the beginning trap line.....push starts and high gears. Room is a major factor of course, reduced complication another. Cleverness is always fun...like omitting a coolant tank and making that another job of the frame tubing...seen that one old school in formula cars. Off topic, but saw a showroom stock car get caught hiding nitrous in the tubing when it was noticed he got faster than "theoretically" possible.
Anywho...fun stuff..