how to start a racing career?
05-03-2005, 02:50 PM
#71
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Originally Posted by WarrenW,May 2 2005, 08:56 PM
Drive in circles all damn day, how freakin' hard can that be???
I guarentee you, if you tried to compete with the good ol boys with an attitude like that, they would put your a$$ in the wall just like that 
05-03-2005, 03:24 PM
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Since we are talking about circle racing, (oval) qualifying at Indy can be very difficult. If the car is set up right, you may reach average speeds of 222 to 228 mph. If the car is not set up right, you would be lucky to hit 211 to 217 mph.
Two time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr was unable to qualify one year because his team could not get their racecar to handle properly. There was another year (I don't remember) that the Penski cars were not handling that great either. They were running a stock block Mercedes Benz engine (a push rod engine) Because it was a push rod engine, USAC allowed them to run a higher boost (turbo)
Even though the car handled like crap, because the engine had soo much more power than any other engine in the field by far, plus the fact that they ran a huge amount of toe-in at the rear, they were able to make the field.
There was soo much bloody toe-in at the rear, you could see the car leave big a$$ strips of rubber coming off turns 2 and turn 4 on television. The horsepower advantage made up for the extra resistance of the massive toe-in. I am not joking about the strips of rubber coming off the turns. Keep in mind, this was happening at 220+ mph
In 1992, Roberto Gurrero qualified with a record 232.xx mph. That was 32 mph faster than what Tom Sneava qualified at in 1980. Tom Sneava was the first man to qualify at 200 mph at Indy. At the time, Tom was a retired School Teacher. The speeds jumped up 32 mph in just 12 years.
The Buick V6 had it's day in the early 90's. The Buick was by far, the most powerful and fastest engine at Indy. The only problem was, it would only last 100 miles
Since we are talking about circle racing, ever watch any sprint car (asphalt) racing Warren? I've seen outside right front tires smoking coming off of a corner going 110-115 mph
Back in the 70's when the speeds were being pushed at 190 mph at Indy, that was considered pushing the limits. Back then, they were sure the cars would NEVER go faster than 190 mph.
Oval racing is real easy
A.J. Foyt has been upside down so many damn times it would make your head spin.
Two time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr was unable to qualify one year because his team could not get their racecar to handle properly. There was another year (I don't remember) that the Penski cars were not handling that great either. They were running a stock block Mercedes Benz engine (a push rod engine) Because it was a push rod engine, USAC allowed them to run a higher boost (turbo)
Even though the car handled like crap, because the engine had soo much more power than any other engine in the field by far, plus the fact that they ran a huge amount of toe-in at the rear, they were able to make the field.
There was soo much bloody toe-in at the rear, you could see the car leave big a$$ strips of rubber coming off turns 2 and turn 4 on television. The horsepower advantage made up for the extra resistance of the massive toe-in. I am not joking about the strips of rubber coming off the turns. Keep in mind, this was happening at 220+ mph
In 1992, Roberto Gurrero qualified with a record 232.xx mph. That was 32 mph faster than what Tom Sneava qualified at in 1980. Tom Sneava was the first man to qualify at 200 mph at Indy. At the time, Tom was a retired School Teacher. The speeds jumped up 32 mph in just 12 years.
The Buick V6 had it's day in the early 90's. The Buick was by far, the most powerful and fastest engine at Indy. The only problem was, it would only last 100 miles
Since we are talking about circle racing, ever watch any sprint car (asphalt) racing Warren? I've seen outside right front tires smoking coming off of a corner going 110-115 mph
Back in the 70's when the speeds were being pushed at 190 mph at Indy, that was considered pushing the limits. Back then, they were sure the cars would NEVER go faster than 190 mph.
Oval racing is real easy
A.J. Foyt has been upside down so many damn times it would make your head spin.
05-03-2005, 03:38 PM
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Edit above post:
The Buick was also a stock block engine. (push rod) Because it was a stock block engine, USAC allowed the Buick to run a higher boost. (turbo) The Buick powered cars were pushing just under 250 mph down the straights at Indy 
The Buick was also a stock block engine. (push rod) Because it was a stock block engine, USAC allowed the Buick to run a higher boost. (turbo) The Buick powered cars were pushing just under 250 mph down the straights at Indy
05-03-2005, 04:06 PM
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Originally Posted by RACER,May 3 2005, 03:24 PM
Two time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr was unable to qualify one year because his team could not get their racecar to handle properly.
If his dad wasn't Al Unser Sr. than he wouldn't have ever been in a race car. A truly talented driver could let the team know what's wrong with the car to aid them in getting it "right". With all the data they acquire you can't tell me they don't know how correct an ill handling car if they know when and where it is ill handling on a consistent basis with a talented driver behind the wheel.
To really get this thread back on topic= Racing costs money!!
05-03-2005, 05:15 PM
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Originally Posted by RACER,May 3 2005, 05:55 PM
Didn't Parnelli Jones win the 500 in a Granatelli turbine?
05-03-2005, 07:09 PM
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Oh if it were only the Indy 490
RACER, first off thanks for quoting me as saying "blah blah blah"
I'm not saying they can't be talented. My problem is with people thinking they automatically are. Yes, anybody can be taught to be a good race driver with enough experience. However, I want to watch great drivers. You're personal experience with the Unsers is exactly what my point is. If I was 16y/o and my dad which happens to be Al Unser Jr. pays for me to go to a racing school he sure as hell wouldn't have to worry about me keeping up my grades and I sure as hell wouldn't be "parking it" in 11. The opportunity is on the plate right in front of his mouth with people handing him golden spoons and he "had not yet decided on being a race car driver". KISS MY A$$ I'm jealous, I'm pissed!!
RACER, first off thanks for quoting me as saying "blah blah blah"
I'm not saying they can't be talented. My problem is with people thinking they automatically are. Yes, anybody can be taught to be a good race driver with enough experience. However, I want to watch great drivers. You're personal experience with the Unsers is exactly what my point is. If I was 16y/o and my dad which happens to be Al Unser Jr. pays for me to go to a racing school he sure as hell wouldn't have to worry about me keeping up my grades and I sure as hell wouldn't be "parking it" in 11. The opportunity is on the plate right in front of his mouth with people handing him golden spoons and he "had not yet decided on being a race car driver". KISS MY A$$ I'm jealous, I'm pissed!!