auto racing

[jlat]

hello; I was watching a Indy car grand prix this weekend and I don't know what the differance is between that and F1. Now with the Indy cars new body work they kinda look the same. I know one differance and that is F1 cars don't run an oval.
IBBY

 

[fitz3820]

LOTS of differences N/A gasoline V8 in F1 vs. twin turbocharged ethanol fueled V6 for IndyCar, no carbon brakes/tire warmers for IndyCar. No ovals for F1.

 

[TurboDave]

LOTS of differences N/A gasoline V8 in F1 vs. twin turbocharged ethanol fueled V6 for IndyCar, no carbon brakes/tire warmers for IndyCar. No ovals for F1.

Correct, mostly. The rules in IRL this year allow 4 cyl. or V6, one or two turbos (Borg-Warner exclusively). IRL owners have their choice of whether to run Chevy, Lotus or Honda motors.
The previous 5 years IRL had to run ONE engine (Honda V6, N/A) which is why IRL nearly died again, and the above changes were made.

 

[fitz3820]

Correct, mostly. The rules in IRL this year allow 4 cyl. or V6, one or two turbos (Borg-Warner exclusively). IRL owners have their choice of whether to run Chevy, Lotus or Honda motors.
The previous 5 years IRL had to run ONE engine (Honda V6, N/A) which is why IRL nearly died again, and the above changes were made.

Dave is right - I forgot that you can use a 4 banger (Offy?? turbo - nobody is using that layout this year though.

 

[notacarlo]

F1 is considerably quicker, a lot more R&D and cash, a hell of a lot more fragile, completely different rules with FIA, more right turns, MUCH BIGGER following, more skill with driver/team regarding overtaking/pitting/tire choices, downforce modification - there's just a ton more thought involved.

F1 is supposed to be a direct link to product manufacturing for motor companies. Indy is much less so.

The funny thing I hear is that NASCAR is 220 mph....so it's faster than F1 or Indy. I agree. BUT it takes an F1 car much less time to reach 220. Same for Indy though F1 will embarrass an Indy car.

Put all three on a road course or oval for one lap and the F1 car will be loaded on the truck for the next race by the time the other two cross the checkers.

 

[gnX405]

LOTS of differences N/A gasoline V8 in F1 vs. twin turbocharged ethanol fueled V6 for IndyCar, no carbon brakes/tire warmers for IndyCar. No ovals for F1.

This year IndyCar is running carbon brakes, the supplier is Brembo.

 

[gnX405]

F1 is supposed to be a direct link to product manufacturing for motor companies. Indy is much less so.

Pretty much all racing series claim direct links to manufacturing. In the case of the IndyCar engine manufacturers, they are touting the following ties to production:

• Engine downsizing - going from a 3.5L Naturally Aspirated V-8 to a 2.2L V-6
• Direct Injection
• Turbocharging
• Alternative fuels (IndyCar runs on E-85 this year)

 

[TurboDave]

Thanks for the additional clarfiication John

 

[notacarlo]

Agreed, but there's a lot more to the connection than engines. The 6 disk CCM brakes in the F1 contribute (at least in Ferrari's realm) to the CCM rotors on production vehicles along with aerodynamic cues. Chassis materials and construction, electromagnetic suspension dampening, there's just a ton of stuff. I'm sure all motorsports contribute in some form or fashion.