Motor Racing and Formula One

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

irishpride-importguycrx asked:


i have always thought about a v6 DOHC v-tech but i would prolly have to make crazy modification to the front end and mounts as well as the fire wall but a 2.2 DOHC v-tech outta the newer prelude before they stopped producing that line impressed me so much and it was only stock would a 2.2 DOHC v-tech fit in my CRX with no troubles or mod’s ?

Destiny

Brian S asked:


I saw the Motor Racing Version of the BMW z4 and damn i loved it, i have a 2005 BMW Z4 and i know you cant purchase the it but i was wondering how much would it be to get a custom made body kit that looks exactly or at least really close to it ? type in BMW Z4 motor racing kit on google to see it

Makayla

Shininglight asked:


seriously do they just stand around wearing very little?

Cole

Denny Hamlin Fan11 asked:


who will win the race.

Chloe

kainetech asked:


I would like to become a driver in some field of motor sports. In the US, circle track racing is prominent, but I would prefer something closer to rally or formula racing. I am a talented driver and I’ve done very well in amateur events. How do I progress from a hobbyist and into the professional circuit, and more importantly, at 25 years old, am I too old to try?

Eric