Throttle bodies vs carbs

[Russ]

No no no, the ultimate test is the touge racing (think downhill hill climb)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touge

Not only do you have the bends and some straights, you also have to manage a car that accelerates without you! Try going down Cheddar gorge and you'll see what I mean.

 

[zedhead260]

Ok, I'll try and make my point again.

If drag racing is a measure only of power (and weight) and not of brakes and handling, then how does a lap time measure brakes and handling ?

Lets use a hillclimb as an example.

Bens car does the run in say 1 minute. The next one does it in 58 seconds - does this mean it brakes and handles better ? Or is it just making up time between the corners ?

 

[SeanDezart]

................ the celebrated competitors , their cars and the races have always been in circles - does that tell you something or are those blinkers THAT wide ?

Read what I write carefully Ben !


"The majority of the tracks are purpose laid tarmac of race track spec. ............................ Statistically you are more likely to pick up damage on a track day than at any of these sports."

A track day is not necessarily all cars on at the same time in which case, statistically, a hill-climb event is more likely to entail damage to your car - NOT purpose laid tarmac and plenty of run off space !

Rob - you've missed the boat ! Enjoying ones' car and measuring it's performance is not about getting ones' calculator out !

"......does this mean it brakes and handles better ? Or is it just making up time between the corners ?" What is the difference here ? How would you make up the time ?

 

[zedhead260]

Rob - you've missed the boat ! Enjoying ones' car and measuring it's performance is not about getting ones' calculator out !

Ok, but you do have your stop-watch out - so why ?

"......does this mean it brakes and handles better ? Or is it just making up time between the corners ?" What is the difference here ? How would you make up the time ?

The bits in between corners are known as straights, they may not be perfectly straight, but straight enough to not have to worry about handling.

Car 1 is quick through the bends because it has good road holding, but loses out a little because it is under-powered.
Car 2 isn't so quick through the bends but has massive power and accellerates very quickly between the two corners.

The amount of time gained by car 1 through the bends is lost on the straight by car 2's greater horse power.

 

[SeanDezart]

Well, there are cars that are as powerful but handle better, then there are cars that brake better. A faster car may have to brake earlier and therefore the slower but better handling, braking car is quicker on the lap - it's called an all-round package and 'Vettes don't have it !

A well sorted car can be worth up to 2.5 seconds a lap (same car, same driver) !

Best method is to have it all - power, lightweight, braking and handling....and not be a stupid driver !