Choose ESC?

[Marbot]

The FIA are going to run a campaign on the benefits of Electronic stability control.Something that they would like to see fitted to all roadcars by 2012.Can you think of a way to make the general population more aware of this device?

http://www.fia.com/mediacentre/Press...070307-01.html

Note: On my car it is called ESP (Electronic Stability Programme,and not Extra Sensory Perception as my wife originally thought).

[MGDavid]

might be better to think of a way of getting the FIA to stick to motor sport issues. Still, a jolly in Rome in May for hundreds of people from all over the world paid by you and I sounds very nice - bugger 'save the planet' !

[Bononi]

Originally Posted by martyn bott

Note: On my car it is called ESP (Electronic Stability Programme,and not Extra Sensory Perception as my wife originally thought).

I must admit that it would be a much better device.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Bononi

I must admit that it would be a much better device.

Yes,but we're a few years away from that I think.

I was actually wondering at what point this would be fitted to F1 cars....God forbid!

[Snrub]

I can't imagine it's likely that ESC/ESP/etc. would ever end up on a F1 car, but I suppose it's not utterly impossible. In road cars those systems correct body roll, pitch and the back end stepping out. They don't improve the performance of a car, they decrease it. For most drivers they stand a better chance of controlling the car without it making wild manouvers, but for a skilled driver it is worse. I imagine it's possible that in an F1 car such a system might reduce the chances of the car going out of control.

On the same token figher planes are designed inherently unstable and their controls system keeps the plane stable and prevents the pilot from making extreme manouvers that might cause themselves to black out, damage the plane or cause it to go out of control. This type of controls system would definately be of benefit in an F1 car. If you look at a dataplot by F1 drivers they do not optimally utilize the performance of the car very well. See the "Under the skin of the F2000" Peter Wright book.

[Paddockman]

Yeah but 10 years ago I for one would have thought that about the **** that is Traction Control!!

[MRJUCY]

There has been a few groups trying to make it mandatory here in Australia for new cars but the problem is while some cars systems work brilliantly there is others which are damn awful.

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by martyn bott

Can you think of a way to make the general population more aware of this device?

As this thread is in F1, I assume you mean a good way to promote it is to include it in F1 (?).

I'm not sure it fits, really. In addition a Sprinter* van has it, so it is out there already and findint its way into the market.

*Actually it may be even more use on a Van, especially if, like the Sprinter, it takes into account load distribution and changes.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by AdamAshmore

As this thread is in F1, I assume you mean a good way to promote it is to include it in F1 (?).

Err.....yes.

Originally Posted by AdamAshmore

I'm not sure it fits, really.

Err.....no.

Neither does TC,ABS etc.But I have this funny feeling..................

[pplater]

I really like the system in my old man's VW. It allows a touch of wheelspin, and a fair bit of lateral movement before killing the fun. It's quite complicated; using a proportioning diff (FWD) along with EBD that pulls the brakes harder on one side (or wheel) to help pivot or stabilise the car. Magic in the wet too, as that touch of slip helps you get a better feel for the road than some of the nanny systems out there.

I think it really could work in F1 one day; look at active diffs in WRC.

[BootsOntheSide]

Sounds like another way of making F1 easier. Things like traction control are annoying enough. Cars sliding and needing an effort to be controlled is a big part of racing. So is the odd crash; safety isn't an issue anymore. The idea's fine for road cars, but it's not suitable for racing.

[Gore]

Originally Posted by Snrub

I can't imagine it's likely that ESC/ESP/etc. would ever end up on a F1 car, but I suppose it's not utterly impossible. In road cars those systems correct body roll, pitch and the back end stepping out. They don't improve the performance of a car, they decrease it. For most drivers they stand a better chance of controlling the car without it making wild manouvers, but for a skilled driver it is worse. I imagine it's possible that in an F1 car such a system might reduce the chances of the car going out of control.

Interestingly, I read a road test of the Ferrari Enzo a while back, which stated that the stability control was so good that only Schumacher and Dario Benuzzi (factory test driver) were able to lap Fiorano quicker with it turned off than with it turned on.

As such, it may not be beyond the realms of possibilty that we see it in F1 eventually. One would hope the FIA would try and ban it, but I wouldn't presume to try and second guess the current administration.

[Smokey 6 litre]

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

safety isn't an issue anymore.

Safety if always an issue, complacency will lead to serious accidents and serious injury. But i dont believe that this system should be implicated on safety grounds.
I do think this is part of the the FIA's concept of making F1 more road car related, as max has previously stated, but the debate over driver aids is still a big issue and i would like to see less of them not more.