A1 GP Car design is ready.

[Kicking-back]

It's nothing to do with P1GP, which is dead in the water, as far as I know.

[Adam43]

Well, that's got some of you interested, why not continue in National & International Single Seaters

For those of you who haven't visited them meet AndyF, bella and DanFlag.

[Asa]

Looks like the front wing end-plates are designed with sponsors in mind

[Pete Fenelon]

Originally posted by Kicking-back
I wonder if we're going to see the usual "amateur aero guys" here, who can look at a car and make pronouncements about performance!

Just remember it's a one make series, so that doesn't matter so much!

Exactly. The A1GP car has to look like a proper racing car to appeal to new (and not necessarily expert!) audiences. As long as it's safe it doesn't matter how good the aero is!

Personally I think the car looks a bit cartoony with the dorsal fin, the stylised air intakes and the gills (Something out of Fireball XL5?!) but it sure as hell looks more exciting than an F3000!

[Pete Fenelon]

Originally posted by nicholaswhite
I haven't been following all things motorsport for a while, is this by any chance an evolved version of "formula football" which I believe was supposed to start in 2002?

Oh that was Reynard wasn't it? I suppose the whole thing died after that nail in the coffin.

FFooty had a deal with Reynard and then later one with Dallara, the mockup of which was seen once I think... who knows what happened to the Dallara tub, it may now be racing in the IRL? Engines were going to be 4.0 Judd V10s weren't they?

[Pete Fenelon]

Originally posted by mountainstar
Yes, as all I could think of when I heard the langford v6 was the engine was barber dodge.

Could've been worse -- could've been that Reynard-Chrysler V6 series (ISSC, I think?) that was going to take the world by storm about 4 years ago - you know, rival to F3000, going to run on ovals and road circuits, yada yada yada..... I think it ran for a season and a bit on a couple of Mitteleuropean circuits supporting three men and a dog in national sports car series.... (I exaggerate slightly) - but it was a clear example of yet another formula for which there was no demand.


The car looked smashing though - like a chunkier F3000.

[sportscarsRULE]

Why does the car shown at the air show have larger diameter wheels and lower profile tires as compared to most other open wheelers? Looks good IMO.

[Kicking-back]

Because the organisers wanted big wheels and low profile tyres.

[sportscarsRULE]

Originally posted by Kicking-back
Because the organisers wanted big wheels and low profile tyres.

Why do most open wheel cars have the smaller diameter wheels and tires with larger sidewalls? Does a thicker tire allow the tire to get warm and melt to the track surface easier for more grip?

[Alfonso de Orleans]

Because single seaters have to always have 13 inch rims. Supposedly to not make the breaking way too effective and have more overtaking and more exciting racing. That is why F1 are complaining now, they have hit a wall with breaks, the only way to improve them is to increase the size, but it's impossible in a 13 inch rim. On top of that, it's my own personal opinion that running larger rims and breaks just adds unsprung weight that single seaters don't really need unless it's for show. So like previously said,larger rims is more for those who want looks and don't understand much about racing.

[GM Man]

It's a known fact that a lower profile tyre than current F1 reg would provide more grip + better suspension movment. When a Bridgestone tyre engineer was given the question what whould happen if they rim size was increased he simply said: The drivers would not last.

About unsprung weight, a large rim with a low profile tyre weighs less. The weight is in the tyre, not the rim.

[Russfeld]

Suspension. In a modern aero car they're so stiff a lot of the road handling is in the tire flex, so you want some bigger sidewalls. The reason touring/gt cars have so much smaller tires is because there's a lot of inherent roll in road cars, or road car based race cars; so you need not have as much movement in the tire.

At least thats the explanation that seemed to make the most sense

[GM Man]

Interesting...but I can assure you, the tyre flex is an engineers worst nightmare because they cant controll on the dampers and setup. Its something they have learnt to cope with and would be better of without.

[sportscarsRULE]

Thanks guys.

[Mathias]

To quote the ludicrously coiffured James Allen:
"Tyrewise it's getting absolutely fascinating down here, Murray"
Great technical discussion, folks!

[Sid The Manager]

A!GP car is rumoured to be out testing at Snett next week

[Kicking-back]

Is Robbie Kerr rumoured to be driving in the series this winter?

[Sid The Manager]

I wish

will have to spend time buttering up mr watson.
he owes me £50, so anythings possible.

[Rob29]

News from todays 'Daily Express' business pages;Sky TV have bought the rights to show A1GP series including practice. British team franchisee will be anounced on Sept 30.

[Kicking-back]

The car is being tested again next week, with Ralph Firman at the wheel.

[Paul Rayner]

Originally posted by Rob29
News from todays 'Daily Express' business pages;Sky TV have bought the rights to show A1GP series including practice. British team franchisee will be anounced on Sept 30.

Bugger. I was really looking forward to watching this series.

[Kicking-back]

The Sky deal should be good news, they're putting a lot into it because, football aside, there's not a lot of live sport over the winter.

[Mathias]

Oh, goody. More motorsport inaccessible to us mere terrestrials.

[Russfeld]

Can I tease you with my blackmarket Sky hookup here in Italy?

[Kicking-back]

I've never understood the moaning about Sky.

The simple fact is the motorsport they carry would likely not be seen on TV at all if they didn't screen it.

If you want to see it, get a subscription.

If you can't afford it, then that's life!