What an awesome concept! My only question is how do they get out in the event of an accident? There are more pictures and the story @ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...tml?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
Looks fantastic, but I don't want closed cockpits. I guess I'm a traditionalist in a sport that is constantly evolving. I sure wouldn't want all that glass surrounding my upper body in the event of a crash, even if it would be designed to "pop off" upon impact. have you been following this season? 8 races and still nobody is even remotely close to Mercedes, but there's been some excellent racing amongst the pack.
I think I'm spoiled. Watching on tv is boring to me. In the time I was stationed north of Bordeaux in '58 and 59' I got to go to watch the 24 hours of Le Mans twice - rode my motor scooter there both times. While everyone sees the race, they never see the fairs and carnivals that go with it. Went to the Neurberg Ring twice, Hockenheim 4 times. Never made it to any in Italy. Also, watched motor cycles racing up and down a dirt track around a castle in southern France. TV too tame after that.
We no longer run the American Grand Prix Formula 1 race do we? Used to be at Watkins Glen, N.Y., but that track went to seed, and was bought out by NASCAR. Homestead-Miami lost the Indy race series opener a few years ago, not sure what really is happening with that circuit, used to love to see those cars run, they even were doing 160-mph around tiny Richmond, Virginia's dangerous D-Shaped oval NASCAR track at one time. With Indy cars, you have to watch a spot on the track to keep track of your favorite, the cars just zip by so fast, you can't even read the sponsor's letters. Miami used to hold a Formula 1 race on their downtown streets, years ago, but gave it up. They also used to run, if I remember correctly, out in Long Beach, California. Miami now has the Richard Branson electronic car F-1-type race, on her downtown streets, and they put on an exciting show this year, hope they return. As for the new F-1 cockpit being covered, it probably is a one-piece plexi-glass-type cover designed to pop off. Getting out of one of these things, or an Indy car during a crash - very difficult, and the driver's legs are right up there in front by the wheels, that's where they experience the worst injuries. F-1 is the grandaddy of motor sports $$$ - because the Formula 1 cars run all over the world. You always have to have two cars at least per team, and fly them to the race destination. They go from Europe to South America to Australia. That's one sleek looking car though - it would looks like it is moving just sitting still...........
No matter how fast it CAN go, the ruling body forces manufacturers to limit it with restrictors and other equipment to make them "competitive".
The US grand prix was being run at Indianapolis, but after a short hiatus returned to COTA (circuit of the Americas) in Texas. Fantastic track with extremely dramatic uphill, blind 90% left hander in the first corner. Its on Oct 25th this year. This past British GP was a great race. Despite Mercedes dominance this year (and last) there's been some fantastic racing this year.
Yeah, there's a "formula" for engines and car design. And considering the enormous disparity in team budgets, having a few "levelers" makes it a more competitive race. I agree that the formula does restrict the speed and performance of the cars but the objective isn't to simply build the fasted possible race car without restriction. I'd say a 210 mph vehicle that can go from a dead stop to 100 mph to a dead stop in 3 seconds and can pull 5+ g's in the corners is plenty damn fast enough.
Racing has always been about "showing the brand." An effort for each manufacturer to hype its name and ability to make cars. To me, the most fascinating part of racing is the ability of the DRIVERS. You can make the greatest machine in the world but without a good driver it's just a piece of metal and fiberglass.
Totally agree, but the very best engineering-to-formula gives the merely very good driver an opportunity to win, while in the hands of a superior driver it is unbeatable.
In early 1958, I was stationed in a small compound in the middle of marshland north of Bordeaux, France. A few miles away was a castle set atop a hill and we learned they were going to hold a motorcycle race there. A bunch of us went and I will never forget watching those gutsy guys racing up and down hill and around the castle. No special equipment, just what they drove on the streets. The eventual winner took the trophy and Francs because he simply was the best - and smartest - driver. I also went to Hockenheimring several times and saw the difference when they tried to race a Corvette against some of the European cars. Big muscle engine and all the latest tech - the driver should've stayed home or turned it over to one of the mechanics.
