Motor Racing and Formula One

Jessica Whittaker asked:


Audi is one of the best known supercars.

Over the years, Audi has been actively involved in motor sports. The participation of Audi into motor sports dates back to 1930’s with their former company the Auto Union. The Audis dominated the Touring and Super Touring categories of motor racing in the 1990’s.

The four wheel drive Quattro, launched by the company in 1980 was successful in winning rallies and races worldwide. The Quattro is one of the first cars to make use of the new rules of rally racing then, which allowed the use of four-wheel drives for racing. However, the critics saw the four-wheel races as too heavy and difficult. The Quattro gained significant success in the World Rally Championship winning the 1983 (Hannu Mikkola} and the 1984 {Stig Bolmquist) drivers titles. The Quattro also got home the manufactures title in 1982 and 1984.

In 1984, Audi launched the short-wheelbase Sport Quattro. This car dominated the races in Monte Carlo and Sweden, by taking all the podium places. Audi also received the rally honors in the Honk Kong to Beijing rally in the same year. Michele Mouton is the only race driver to win a round of World Rally Championship and a driver for Audi. In 1985, Michele raced the S1 in the Pike Peaks and set a record of 11.25.39. She is the first woman to set a Pike Peak record. Walter Rohrl claimed a title for the company setting a new Pikes Peak International Hill Climb record of 10:47:85 in the Audi S1. The Audi S1 employs a 5-cylinder turbo charged engine and generates over 600hp (447kW). The S1 serves as the bas for all the S models of the company. The company entered the Trans American Racing in the year 1988. In 1989, Audi moved to International Motor Sport Association (IMSA GTO).

Touring Races

The company was successful in marketing and selling its cars in the United States of America. In the 1990’s Audi returned to Europe. The company began racing into the super touring series. The company participated in the French Supertourisme and Italian Supertourisme. The company also participated in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). The Federation International de Automobile (FIA) faced difficulties in regulating the Quattro four-wheel drive system and the impact it had on the competitors, which eventually led to the ban on use of four-wheel drives for competitions. The company then started focusing on the sports car racing. The company raced with their RS4 in the Speed World GT Challenge. Few of the races allowed the use of four-wheel drives and thus enabled the Quattro to dominate as the Champion.

Sports Car Racing

Audi entered the 24-hour Le-Mans races in the year 1999. In 2003 two Bentley Speed 8s, with Audi engines competed the GTP and finished in top two positions. These cars were loaned to the fellow Volkswagen Group then. In the 2005, Le-Mans two R8s entered along with an R8 from the Audi PlayStation Team Oreca. Audi continues its active participation in the 24i Hour Le- Mans.



Marshall

rob anderson asked:


Err, hi.

 If you are here to find out where the connection is between motor racing and the internet marketing system is - great. I am glad. But I am going to warn you up front, I am going to explain it the long way around. This is not going to be a quick 500 word article. In fact I admit a huge amount of it is for my own benefit. Sorry.  In the future when all the disbelieving scrubbers come to me, hat in hand, saying, “ahh - please Rob, could you help me do as well as you have?” or “do you have some money for me please?” there is I high chance that I am going to tell them to fly! I will tell you why at the end - maybe - perhaps my cynicism will have shown through.

I love honesty.

By understanding this analogy perhaps the 90% dropout rate could be lowered. To be honest I do not really care that much if I save you or not. If you are one of the start up and drop out types - well, hello and goodbye.

So here is how it works.

If I told you that there is going to be a new type of motor race and anybody can enter, race and even make money, hey, a lot of money, would you be interested?

You will be supplied a racing car, given a workshop to work in, shown how to build, tune and then race the car. You will be given step by step instructions on exactly how to drive and race. Even a huge bunch of tips will be supplied on how to overtake, slipstream and ultimately get to the front.

For $50 dollars I will give you the chassis of a formula one racing car. I will throw in all the parts to make up the newest type of engine available, it will include all the tyres and even an extra dozen tyres. You will get every single nut and bolt needed to build up this high tech racing machine. We will even give you a racing driver. What more could you ask for?

Here is the best part; you don’t even need to race on the same day. If your car only starts running at eleven at night then cool, off you go, do a few fast laps, and they will count towards that days times. Then the next day someone will work out that you did the fourth fastest lap, and wow, you will get $300.00. Then you do it again the next day.

You will be offered 79000 different types of races, 16000 different types of tyres to race on and you can even enter races where you have to push the car.

AND IT ALL WILL COST YOU NOTHING!

Well nothing after paying the initial car price.

So having been given that offer how many of you think that you could build your car, learn to tune it, practice driving skills etc etc, in 48 hours. Ahhh! Come on. Be realistic, out there on the track are 12000 other drivers that have all been driving a lot longer than that. So what the hell gave you the idea that as a brand new driver, you will win a race in a few days?

Yes, but if you did build your car carefully and read all the instructions correctly, then carefully tuned it. And re tuned it. Eventually you will be able to hear that it is starting to sound the same as those cars going around the track all the time.

Then and only then can you venture out carefully onto the track and start doing a few laps. And yes, after a few laps you will see that it is quite easy and pick up speed. Pretty soon you will be lapping with the fast guys, and making money.

So my question is this, how long, (be real with your answer here), would it take you to learn how to, and build, tune etc a high tech racing car? Even if you do it every day? Personally I think about 4 weeks at the very fastest. Remember I am learning a brand new skill. If I have any problems at all it could easily slide into 3 months.

So, finally I can get to the point. WHY do newcomers to the internet expect to be wealthy instantly? Do you come to the internet with a full and 100% understanding of how everything works? Are please, gimme a break, yes they said you can start earning money immediately, and in some extreme cases it is true. But if you believed that then I want to offer you a few other products. And they are very expensive, but you will double your money…… ha ha. Just click here!

No, please be serious. As with any new business it will obviously take a month or two to even get the ball rolling. Then a few more months to get a good grip on the proceedings. And then finally you really will start making the huge amounts of money that is possible.

So why do newbie’s start bleating within a few days about how they all got lied to, and how all these promises are a bucket of crap? When in reality they have only done two or three weeks work. And most of that in a completely confused manner because they allow themselves to be distracted by brightly colored banners all the time.

Do this. Get a really good training course. I did, and it was an absolute bargain. Do every minute of the training. Do it again. Then set up a proper plan, and simply stick to it. It is so easy that I am still amazed. Every day I wonder why everybody in isn’t doing this. If you do that you might not be the first newcomer onto the race track, but when your car does start lapping the other guys will sit up and take notice.

There is another way to think about it. Every year a huge number of very bright youngsters leave school and enter university. They then proceed to work very hard studying for at least 4 years, get qualified, and then only get their first job. The place that they will reach in about 10 years after they start, is the same place you could be in within 12 months of doing hard work for one year. Starting today.

Same story. Get trained properly, make up a game plan, and then apply it. Work hard for at least a year. And then you will be able to say if you got lied to or not.

All the newbie’s that are trying to race their cars with only two of the wheels on are stupid. Seriously I really mean - STUPID. That is why they will be told to fly. Think - even just a little, and I will willingly give you a huge amount of my time. Thanks for following my rant, now let’s rave.

So - Let’s Go Racing.



Bria

Carazoo.com asked:


Car racing is the ultimate display of engineering and driving dynamics. It is a test of man and machine on the aspects of speed, acceleration, aerodynamics and endurance skills. The earliest racing cars were built with what we now know as simplest of the technologies, but which were revolutionary then. As the engineers and designers learned from mistakes, cars got racier and leaner. Some great racing cars owe their existence to some innovation.

Ford GT40

When Ford lost its bid to buyout Ferrari at the last moment in early 60’s, it vowed to set a greater example than the Italian sports car company. Ford set out to make its own sports car. The company came up with the stunning Ford GT40. Ford and Ferrari fought hard to win events since it was launched in 1966. The GT40 won Le Mans in 1966 as well 67, 68 and 1969. The Ford GT40 endurance racer was the first car to exceed 200 mph speed. They defeated Ferrari’s at several events. By winning Le Mans and several other racing events, Ford demonstrated that the traditional V8 engine typical to American cars was sufficient to compete in world racing events.

Matra Simca MS670

When Le Mans that was essentially, a French event was dominated by other European, a lone French sports car company announced its desire to win the 1969 Formula one and Le Mans, ahead of the race. As FIA had changed rules to allow every sports car to receive only 3 litre prototype engine, Matra’s option were limited. Matra fitted the Simca with V12 engine with 60 degree block angle, twin overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinders which demonstrated high level of build standards. The car however faced a disappointing run in 1969. The company refined it to give it more boost. The new car for 1970 was called the MS670 which sported a barchetta body and a rear wing. This car won convincingly at the Le Mans in 1970. It grabbed the imagination of sports car enthusiasts and was named one of the greatest win.

Jaguar XJR-12

Jaguar has had a long history of racing. It won the Le Mans for 7 consecutive times with the last one being in 1990. It was also the last British car to win the Le Mans. The XJR-12 was installed with the same aspirated V12 engine that was fitted in XJR-9. The FIA rules were relaxed and the sports were allowed to have engine with any capacity and any number of cylinders but had to weigh a minimum weight of 1000 kgs, The XJR-12 embodied smart looks and performance. The team of four Jaguars raced at the 1990 event. They were ahead of the Porsches and Nissans. At the finishing line two Jaguars grabbed the second the third position at the racing. It demonstrated that endurance of the sports car in toughest conditions like the Le Mans which is a 24 hours event.

Ferrari 250

This Ferrari Grand Touring car was the most beautiful car ever driven on racing circuits. The GTO was designed in such a manner that it had gained the perfect balance and aerodynamic abilities.  It was called the ballet dancer of motor racing, by racing enthusiasts. In its very first race, the 250 GT won the Mille Miglia event in 1952 and also gave its best performance at the Le Mans. The GTO was termed as the the top dog in racing. It went to win many races till 1964, untill  it was relegated to behind lines by the Daytona Coupe.

Porsche 956

The 956 is a remarkable Porsche sports cars holding some phenomenal record in motorsports. It was created after the FIA brought in new rules in 1982, allowing participants a limited amount of fuel per car per race. The 956 was given a turbocharged aluminum flat six engine and a new aluminum monocoque construction, which was new development in racing cars then. It gained superb aerodynamics which gave it its seductive looks. Due to the technology 956 generated over three times more downforce than Porsche 917. There was a remarkable change was in the fuel economy too as it got a 2.7 litre engine producing 620 bhp power. The 956 enjoyed four consecutive victories at the Le Mans 24 from 1982 to 1986.



Sam

scubagnu asked:


Fantastic Racing’s corporate events are never forgotten

Fantastic Racing specialises in group packages for corporate events in South Africa, focusing on experiences rather than mere ‘corporate events’. You will experience the thrills of high-performance motor racing at South Africa ’s most prestigious race tracks.

Our professional instructors will be on hand to teach you how to handle - and enjoy - single-seat Reynard 98s.

You will then get the opportunity to pit your race skills against your friends and colleagues.

The off-track scenario is equally impressive. Our dedicated team of hostess and event managers will ensure that you and your guests do not have to lift a finger during your event.

With the option to brand the event in your company’s name, we believe that Fantastic Racing offers the most exciting solution to all your corporate entertainment needs. It is an experience of a lifetime wrapped up in an opportunity to promote your company and develop ties with your clients.



You will race world-class open-wheel race cars

You will receive thorough tuition

Your company brands the entire event

You will enjoy first-class hospitality

Your client never stops thanking you!



Our many corporate clients have used our corporate events to:



Promote their business

Entertain clients

Network

Cement business relationships

Build internal teamwork



Outstanding Adaptable Packages

Fantastic Racing offers a choice between ‘One-Day Events’ and ‘Three-Day Race Events’, but i f you would like to adapt any aspect of your chosen itinerary, we are only too happy to accommodate any specific requests.

With all your needs catered for, your only difficult decision will concern choosing a venue. Fantastic Racing currently holds its race events at Kyalami race track, WesBank and Zwartkops in Gauteng, and Killarney race track in Cape Town. Other race tracks can be included by arrangement.

Please download the document below for more information on these corporate event packages and on the Fantastic Racing experience.

For further information about our packages for corporate events in South Africa, please call our Cape Town Office on 021 461 1414 or email Jules Brown on julieb@fantasticracing.com



Trent

Patrick Arden asked:


ght and speed have fueled up popularity of motor bikes posters. Although, contributions of celebs and formula one star icons have sheer share in influencing young minds to ignite passion for these posters too. With latest designs, heavy construction, sleek and steel body, hardcore tyres inclined in various postures – these motor bikes posters and calendars are extremely vivid. What’s even better? These posters and calendars are ready to be accessible through Internet directly on the walls of bike lovers. If anyone is interested to set his or her walls on fire with the hot wheels and dying to add ‘Brooom, Brooom, Brooom’ effects – simply import these posters from world wide web.

Speed of Internet based services perfectly match the dust-raising speed of motor bikes. Motor bikes on the posters and calendars boast of countless styles and shades. Being flashed in fiery colors, inclined on sometimes right or left angeled, sometimes almost paralleled to the motor racing alley and sometimes simply flying overhead – bikes posters like their original models give an adrenaline rush to the bike lovers. It is so easy to get bowled over by versatility of models and movements of motor bikes. These unblemished posters are the easiest and most common evidences to it – without even keeping an eye on the racing alley or TV channels.

From the very initial stage, motor bike riding caste strong and stylish impressions exemplifying ruthlessness, courageousness and toughness of nature. Motor bike riders like their vehicles are really swift to create an impact on their viewers’ minds as well as swift to become style gods. And, so are the motor bikes posters which are simply going steady and fast to occupy significant space in the poster lovers’ minds – regardless of men and women, ages and race. Serving myriad purposes including gifting ideas for birthdays, special days, anniversaries, decorations, inspirations or simply to flaunt one’s rough ‘n’ tough nature – these motor bikes posters and calenders getting ’super-hot’ items available online.

Marc

Dr. Larry A. Johnson, D.c. asked:


ts were first created in the United States in the 1950s with the majority of historians crediting Art Ingels as the inventor. He built his first go kart in California in 1956 and it was during this post-war period where airmen raced these go karts as a way to pass the time.

They are referred to as go karts, go carts, go-karts, shifter karts, gokarts and many other differently spelled variations. Go karts are related to open-wheel racing such as Formula One and Indy Car. In fact, many top professional race car drivers, including Michael Schumacher, Sarah Fisher, Darrell Waltrip, Tony Stewart and Kyle Petty, got their start on the go kart racing circuit.

Go kart enthusiasts can easily become addicted to the thrill of racing. Once you’ve experienced the excitement it’s hard to let it go. There are ATV all terrain vehicles, dirt bikes, scooters, mopeds, mini bikes and motorcycles, but none give a driver any more of an adrenaline-rush than the popular go kart. They are simple 4-wheeled vehicles with no suspension (relying on chassis flex). They are basically just a smaller version of the professional open wheel cars and race on similar, but smaller, racing tracks.

Go karting can be a stepping stone for drivers desiring to work their way up to professional Formula One or Indy Car racing. It’s a cheaper way to get involved with racing. If a driver shows talent on the go kart circuit he can then move up to the more expensive divisions of motor racing including Formula One and Indy Car.

But go karting is not just for the professionally-minded. Most of the time go karts are raced by non-professionals, people just out for a little fun. Go karts have become popular all over the world and are found in most larger cities. For the faint of heart there are extremely tame tracks located in many family fun centers and amusement parks.

So what is a go kart? Go karts are made up of a chassis, motor, transmission, seat and 4 tires. Since go karts have no suspension the chassis must provide flexibility and yet retain enough stiffness to allow the kart good grip around the track and through the turns. The chassis can be either open or closed. Simply put, the closed, or caged chassis, allows protection for the driver in the event of a rollover. The open chassis does not.

Engines used in karting are typically either 2-stroke or 4-stroke. The 2-stroke engine is generally more of a specialized engine that is made by companies such as Honda or Briggs and Stratton (who also make lawnmower engines). In fact, 4-stroke engines are usually the standard type used in lawn mowers. The 2-stroke is usually more powerful than the 4-stroke and can attain up to 30 horsepower or more.

Sprint karts can usually get up to about 60 mph while the more powerful enduro karts can reach a top speed of up to 90 mph. Shifter karts use a manual transmission and a clutch to bring out all the engine has to offer and can reach speeds of 160 mph or more. These are not toys.

As with Formula One racing the kart tires can be either slicks or rain tires. Slicks have no tread and are used for best traction on a dry track. Rain tires have tread and are used during wet weather. And in icy conditions there are specially-made spiked tires that give good grip on the slippery ice.

Go karts are generally considered a safer and cheaper way to get into racing. With the many different levels available drivers can move up the line until they reach the professional level. With the right mixture of talent and practice racing alongside the top pros is certainly a possibility.

Gage

Stephen Lars asked:


The American Danica Patrick has made history in the racing world by winning the IndyCar official test; the Indy Japan 300 Grand Prix and has been able to quite the sexist comments.

The flaming 26-year-old winner of the Circuit of Motegi was respectful and modest when referring to the victory over fellow drivers as the Brazilian Hélio Castroneves (second place) and Tony Kanaan (fifth place), as well as the New Zealander Scott Dixon (third place) and the Britton Dan Wheldon (fourth place).

Throughout her career this later event was Patrick’s 50th competition in the IndyCar; with only two laps left and thanks to a brilliant strategy from her team, the Andretti Green Racing the young woman grasped the leadership to the Brazilian Castroneves who had to stop to refuel.

The American girl born in Beloit, Wisconsin had to hold to the pressure received by the Brazilian but Patrick managed to finish 5.8594 seconds ahead.

In 2005 Patrick was awarded in the best rookie of the category of Indy Racing League (IRL) finishing seventh overall, as well as for her remarkable performance at the 500 miles of Indianapolis that same year where she was set apart as the first woman in heading the test. Also, she became the fifth woman in disputing the mythical competition in the oval circuit of four kilometers.

Patrick’s career began back in 1992 in the ‘go-kart racing’ roads and won various national championships in this category. At the age of 16 she traveled to England to improve her technique and competed in some tests of the Formula Ford and the Formula Vauxhall with incredible actions.

In 2002 Patrick returned to her country and participated in some tests of the Barber Dodge Pro Series after signing a contract with the team of Bobby Rahal. One year later she competed in the Toyota Atlantic Championship Series; Patrick did not win a race but gained ‘pole position’ and a consistent performance which allowed her to end in the third place in the 2004 pilots’ general classification.

After the 2005 season came much trouble for the young American and criticism began to arise from the press as well as some colleagues. The press only mentioned her ability to advertise but never spoke of her actions on the road. Amongst some of the remarks was that of former driver Richard Petty, one of the Nascar’s legends “The truth, I think that this is not a sport for women and, up to now, she (Patrick) has shown it”.

Another unkind comment was that of Jenson Button, current Formula One driver, who in 2005 affirmed that “a woman with large breasts never will be able to feel comfortable in a race car” besides “the mechanics would not be able to concentrate either for to be looking at”.

Despite of these critics Patrick did not give up and continued racing and training stronger than before reason why in the 2007 the former Formula One driver and Andretti Green Racing team co-owner, Michael Andretti hired her for his team.

After much toil Patrick obtained her first victory in the IRL, but critics have now a new target regarding the good-looking American pilot future presentations…when and how will she win again? … An answer only Danica knows.



Gustavo

skully asked:


The pistons Im running in my motor on the bottom ring is notched out for the rist pin. Wouldn’t that cause a motor to burn oil?

Julian

Buffy asked:


I have an old racing bike and a small motor with a spindle. I was wondering if its possible to make a motor mount out of wood because I have no experience with welding. also, if you know any sited that could help me with making a motor mount that would be great, thanks.

Christopher

Mervyn Rees asked:


(c) 2008 Mervyn Rees

So, moving from one extreme to the other, let’s take a look at motor sports. Everything that can move seems to be raced these days, from Formula One cars to lawn mowers on steroids, and there’s no doubt that such races are incredibly popular.

All over the world, racing motorised vehicles draws millions of ardent fans each year to the literally thousands of races and other events which pull in billions in gate fees and merchandising.

The cost of supporting one F1 vehiclewhich is only in theory, as all racing teams host a minimum of two vehicles, a primary and secondary one, in case of a crash or system failureis literally tens of millions of dollars per year. Sponsorships account for the vast majority of operating fees, but the ticket office and licensed merchandise they generate is still the financial mainstay of the racing industry. NASCAR alone pulls in billions annually from such products.

What exactly is it that draws the crowds to motor racing:

Is it the potential for an accident; the thrill of speed?

The mental powers involved in being able to handle such a machine?

Perhaps each spectator has his or her own personal reason for enjoying the sport.

One thing that’s sure is that from the very beginning of the automobile age, people have succumbed to the pressing need to test the limits of their skills and vehicles by pitting themselves against one another in a test of speed and endurance.

Not unlike horse racing, dubbed ‘The sport of Kings,’ motor vehicle racing offers the senses the thrill of victory laps, and the agony of defeated egos, and could quite easily be dubbed ‘The sport of the Proletariat.’

The very first sanctioned automobile race was in 1894 in France, and was a test of the vehicle’s durability. It wasn’t long, however, before the emphasis shifted to raw speed, and the appeal of speed in motor soon spread. Many number of racing formats drawing enormous crowds sprang up all over the world with the end result being that today; motor racing is among the most popular and certainly among the most commercialized of all sporting events.

Not only that, but there is now a literally dizzying array of such contests to choose from. If you are a fan of the more conventional form of motor car racing, you cab choose between F1, CART, NASCAR, Indy Car, Drag Racing, Hot Rods, Rally as well as Motorcycle contests and a host of others.

For the more eclectic fans, there is Ice racing, which consists in outfitting either cars or motorcycles with special studded tires to grip the ice, or may even involved the more suitable snow mobile variety. One can also enjoy the exploits of Hill Climbing or Speed Climbing, which tests individual drivers of either motor cars or motorcycles, to compete against the clock to finish a course on an uphill incline.

Believe it or not, this is one of the oldest forms of racing competition in the world, the first such event having taken place as early as 1897, and remains as popular today as ever.

A common event which serves as an introduction to racing for many enthusiasts is ‘kart racing’, involving small, scaled down models of open or caged chassis motor vehicles commonly known as Go-Karts.

Once considered merely a hobby, the appeal of kart racing has grown to become a considerable sport in its own right, and has launched the career of many a professional driver.

For the truly unique minded fan, there is the ever popular Demolition Derby. Amounting to the very antithesis of safe driving, the object of this frenetic ’sport’ is to literally use your wreck of an old vehicle to destroy those of all other contestants, engaging the old adage of ‘last car standing’ to its ultimate degree. There’s no denying that there’s something undeniably exciting about watching someone else’s vehicle getting sandwiched by a phalanx of drivers, and trying to gauge which one will eventually limp out of the arena, smoking and creaking like a battered and bruised gladiator of old.

Motor racing certainly has its place in our society and there’s little chance of it ever disappearing - apart from lawn mower racing, that is. That just seems such a waste when there are so many good plots of overgrown grass in desperate need of grooming.



Nicolas