we often talk about weight's effects on a car, especially on race cars. we know that power to weight ratio is key to not only improving acceleration and braking, but also for handling. if weight was so important in racing, why do i see some really overweight buffs driving in quarter mile competition and other racing events? wouldn't shaving a couple of hundred pounds of fat give you some .xx seconds advantage in the quarter mile?

 

Because one thing is more important than weight-savings, horsepower, brakes, or preparation. The most important thing in racing is... sponsors!

 

I don't know what the rules are in drag racing, but some racing series factor driver weight into the minimum weight of the cars. In the case of a heavier driver, they just make the car lighter and there's no handicap against a smaller driver.

Mark

 

Well, for F1 and CART, you have to be pretty strong to drive those cars around for a few hours. I'm sure even for drag racing, strength in controlling the car as it rockets down the drag strip is more important than weight savings.

 

Fat guys deserve to have fun too. Besides when you approach the speed of light your weight goes up anyway.

 

ive lost 30lbs so far, i can say, my car is much faster

 

I'd say it's because your engine is getting more powerful as the miles build up!

 

I'm no lightweight so I figure i just have to be better than the next guy! Mingster, more to your point, I think drag racing brings out more beer drinkers than other forms of racing (can you say red-neck?).

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Penforhire
[B]I'm no lightweight so I figure i just have to be better than the next guy!