Why Do They Take That Line?

[Andrew Longman]

At Indy, on the long stretches, why do they move to the inside after coming off T2 and T4 then back up to the wall before entering T1 and T3? That makes the lap longer than if they just stayed outside by the wall.

I think I remember first seeing that in the late 80s or early 90s but never really understood it. If I had to guess I say it was to avoid denser air being compressed between the car and wall.

Thoughts?

[SteveH]

At Indy, on the long stretches, why do they move to the inside after coming off T2 and T4 then back up to the wall before entering T1 and T3? That makes the lap longer than if they just stayed outside by the wall.

I think I remember first seeing that in the late 80s or early 90s but never really understood it. If I had to guess I say it was to avoid denser air being compressed between the car and wall.

Thoughts?

To get away from the wall. When they are close to the wall it disrupts the air flow around the car.

[dando]

I think that's the apex line with the short chutes b/w 1 & 2 and 3 & 4. Keep in mind that Al Jr. described racing @ IMS as racing on a pool table, since the corners are more square than typical ovals. But heck, it's been so long since I really watched Indy, I could be on crack. :gomer:

-Kevin

[Insomniac]

At Indy, on the long stretches, why do they move to the inside after coming off T2 and T4 then back up to the wall before entering T1 and T3? That makes the lap longer than if they just stayed outside by the wall.

I think I remember first seeing that in the late 80s or early 90s but never really understood it. If I had to guess I say it was to avoid denser air being compressed between the car and wall.

Thoughts?

It may be longer, but it's faster. Isn't that all that matters? :D

[gjc2]

The reason is that they don't use a differential on oval tracks. The ring gear is attached to a spool and since they use slightly different circumference tires left and right (stager) the car has a natural tendency to pull to the left. If the driver tried to keep the car up against the wall he would be scrubbing off speed with the front tires.

George

[Andrew Longman]

The reason is that they don't use a differential on oval tracks. The ring gear is attached to a spool and since they use slightly different circumference tires left and right (stager) the car has a natural tendency to pull to the left. If the driver tried to keep the car up against the wall he would be scrubbing off speed with the front tires.

George

Hadn't thought of that. Makes sense, but is that true at IMS too? Most of the lap is in a straight line and relatively little is turning. Tracks such as MIS almost the entire lap is at radius.

[gjc2]

Hadn't thought of that. Makes sense, but is that true at IMS too? Most of the lap is in a straight line and relatively little is turning. Tracks such as MIS almost the entire lap is at radius.

It's most noticeable at the IMS because it has four distinct corners connected by long straights. Also I think the amount of stagger is related to the amount of banking.

George

[Gnam]

I remember David Hobbs commenting on Lewis Hamilton's line coming off the banking. In the early practices, Hamilton would exit Turn 13 right against the wall. It was breath taking to see him get so close, but Hobbs was convinced it was a bad line not because it was dangerous, but because he was sacrificing speed.

I thought it had something to with the wall exerting drag on the car. :confused:

[Sean O'Gorman]

FWIW, which is probably not much, whenever I'd drive on IMS or any large oval in a video game, it seems like you get a better corner exit because you aren't trying to force the car to stay along the wall. Stagger, differential, whatever.

[gjc2]

in a video game, it seems like you get a better corner exit because you aren't trying to force the car to stay along the wall.

With a car using a spool and running tire stager that is exactly what happens. In order to keep the car against the wall the driver has to put some slip angle on the front tires, and slip angle scrubs off speed

George

[Chaos]

marbles too maybe?

[Insomniac]

marbles too maybe?

Marbles would form off line. They wouldn't form on that path if that was the preferred line.

[Chaos]

Marbles would form off line. They wouldn't form on that path if that was the preferred line.

I agree, but I just figured with the wall, there's no where else for them to go.

[Ankf00]

airplane on a treadmill?



:D

[mapguy]

airplane on a treadmill?

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/298677/2/istockphoto_298677_can_o_worms.jpg

[Insomniac]

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/298677/2/istockphoto_298677_can_o_worms.jpg

I thought that was settled.

[Cam]

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/298677/2/istockphoto_298677_can_o_worms.jpg

That has redundancy written all over it. It should just say "Worms" We can tell it;s a can! :rolleyes:

[chop456]

That has redundancy written all over it. It should just say "Worms" We can tell it;s a can! :rolleyes:
Perhaps you'd also like to complain about the fact that they have eyes and appear to be standing upright.

Just trying to help. :D

[Don Quixote]

Worms don't have eyes? Then how do they see? :confused:

[cameraman]

Worms don't have eyes? Then how do they see? :confused:

The common earthworm doesn't have eyes and is blind.

[Don Quixote]

I was trying to make a funny. :gomer:

[cameraman]

It is getting harder and harder to tell anymore.