Le Mans sports prototype cars flipping - six in four months
#1
Posted 12 June 2008 - 09:16
Although these crashes are not quite the same as the famous Dumbreck/Webber Mercedes Le Mans crashes of 1999 they're still alarmingly violent and dangerous.
Does something need to be done to stop the cars taking off? Is it always going to be a problem with sports prototype cars? Are we going to see more of this type of thing at Le Mans this weekend?
Advertisement
#2
Posted 12 June 2008 - 09:24
#3
Posted 12 June 2008 - 09:27
#4
Posted 12 June 2008 - 09:43
Regards
Andy
#5
Posted 12 June 2008 - 10:08
#6
Posted 12 June 2008 - 10:48
#7
Posted 12 June 2008 - 10:52
Isn't there a roof hatch in NASCAR so the car does not flip?
Is there a earodynamic NASCAR car? ......
#9
Posted 12 June 2008 - 12:41
Originally posted by AndyW35
Isn't there a roof hatch in NASCAR so the car does not flip? Or is it to stop it going backwards too fast? Or is it so Robby Gordon can thank God personally before he even gets out of the car?
Regards
Andy
slows it down going backwards plus helps keep the car 'sucked' to the ground rather than flipping.
NASCAR can't build enough devices to keep Robby Gordon from screwing up ;)
#10
Posted 12 June 2008 - 13:23
Originally posted by F1Fanatic.co.uk
ACO to change the cars for 2009: Aero rules to change after accidents
From the article:
..."We need to look at the performance of the cars. We want to reduce downforce, which in turn will reduce corner speeds. All aero devices on the bottom of the cars will be banned for 2009."...
Wasn't the decisive factor in the Merc flippings of the late nineties (and the Porsche at Road Ameriva) that they had flat bottoms, i.e. no aero devices on the bottom of the cars?
I'm not an engineer but that sound likes a half ass solution to me. They have to look at the causes for the accidents in order to solve the associated problems. Noda flipped because he hit the gravel. Nothing to do with the underside design. Gene slid of the circuit because it was damp and hit the guardrail and then flipped. Nothing to do with the underside design. Ortelli spun sideways underbraking. It flipped as air was caught under the car, HOWEVER the car was sideways as it happened and on the grass.
So back to the drawing board ACO.
#11
Posted 12 June 2008 - 13:41
Not entirely sure about the underside of the car having a flat bottom or not Least on the plus side though, everybody has walked away from these crashes.
#12
Posted 12 June 2008 - 13:52
Mulsane Corner
just scroll down a little bit
#13
Posted 12 June 2008 - 15:05
nascar style flaps, and mandating open area's in the floor so air can pass through upwards might be a better way to go..