Paul Tracy holds trap speed and fastest laps records at MIS: 256.948 mph in 1996 and 234.949 mph in 2000. What were the specs of the engines he used on both occasions?
Question about Paul Tracy records at MIS
Started by
bubulle35
, Aug 27 2010 09:44
5 replies to this topic
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#2
Rob Semmeling
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Posted 27 August 2010 - 10:44
Tracy ran a Penske-Mercedes in 1996 and a Reynard-Honda in 2000.
The 234.949 mph lap is the qualifying record, but earlier that same day Tracy had recorded a 238.933 mph lap during practice, which is the outright record at MIS.
The 256 mph trap speed is all over the internet, but I have never seen it quoted in a reliable contemporary source. The highest trap speeds in 2000 were 245 mph, and even that was only with a hell of a tow.
The 234.949 mph lap is the qualifying record, but earlier that same day Tracy had recorded a 238.933 mph lap during practice, which is the outright record at MIS.
The 256 mph trap speed is all over the internet, but I have never seen it quoted in a reliable contemporary source. The highest trap speeds in 2000 were 245 mph, and even that was only with a hell of a tow.
#3
Ross Stonefeld
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Posted 27 August 2010 - 10:48
Ive heard the 256 figure in conjunction with the Ilmor-Mercedes Indy500 engine, during an early season test where the weather conditions would have been cooler. Of course at an Indianapolis test.
I've also heard 250-256 in practice around 2000 or so at Fontana, when he was in a Team Green Reynard Honda. Apparently a practice speed set in the tow of multiple cars with those highdrag Handford wings. So he saw that speed on his digital dash in the car, it was never an official speed.
I think it'd be fairly easy to confirm. Either the cars were geared for that speed or they weren't. If they were, it's because the engineers would have known how much of a boost of speed they were getting from leapfrogging multiple cars.
I've also heard 250-256 in practice around 2000 or so at Fontana, when he was in a Team Green Reynard Honda. Apparently a practice speed set in the tow of multiple cars with those highdrag Handford wings. So he saw that speed on his digital dash in the car, it was never an official speed.
I think it'd be fairly easy to confirm. Either the cars were geared for that speed or they weren't. If they were, it's because the engineers would have known how much of a boost of speed they were getting from leapfrogging multiple cars.
#4
D-Type
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Posted 27 August 2010 - 10:50
I wish people wouldn't use TLAs!* 
If someone can answer the question I assume they would know what MIS means. I can't and I don't.
Now, IMS I can guess at being Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but not MIS. Is it Michigan International Speedway, Motor Industry Speedway ( the equivalent of the British MIRA) where the so-called "World closed circuit record was set), or Massachusets Institute of Speed (as in MIT), Minnesota ~ (as in 3M)?
*TLA = Three letter acronym
If someone can answer the question I assume they would know what MIS means. I can't and I don't.
Now, IMS I can guess at being Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but not MIS. Is it Michigan International Speedway, Motor Industry Speedway ( the equivalent of the British MIRA) where the so-called "World closed circuit record was set), or Massachusets Institute of Speed (as in MIT), Minnesota ~ (as in 3M)?
*TLA = Three letter acronym
#5
Ross Stonefeld
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Posted 27 August 2010 - 11:58
Within the context of the question, quite clearly Michigan.
#6
sblick
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Posted 27 August 2010 - 12:14
I was at an MIS race where they announced over the loudspeaker Gil deFerran's trap speed at 258. Was at California Speedway when Gugelmin and Zanardi were flirting with 239 in practice which led to Gugelmin's 240-241 lap there the next day. Wicked, wicked fast. Impossible almost to follow those races the cars came by so fast.
Tracy would have been using a 2.65 liter engine. Were these the single sided turbos? Or was this before that? Horsepower was probably around 8-850.
Tracy would have been using a 2.65 liter engine. Were these the single sided turbos? Or was this before that? Horsepower was probably around 8-850.
Edited by sblick, 27 August 2010 - 12:16.
