- #1
zanick
- 383
- 23
In a race car, coming off a slow turn and going into a long straight approaching a slow turn.
if two identically powered cars (say 400hp at the rear tires but one at 3000lbs and the other at 3500lbs) are racing, would one car require more capable brakes than the other?
I subscribe to the laws of the conservation of energy here, but it seems that , against common opinion, that the lighter car might reach higher speeds and be able to slow at a faster rate approaching the turn. even though the same KE might be reached by both , ones rate of KE change on the decel might be higher thus demanding more power dissipation capability of the braking system.
From many years of pro and club racing experience, I have not seen a lesser demand for lowering weight, and certainly have seen a greater demand for increasing power for the same weight.
There are some great simulators out there to plug in the values, but wanted to ping the list to see if I am overlooking something.
Generally, this is to combat the thought from many, that if they have a heavy car, (and the same hp as their competitor) that they need more braking capacity. I disagree and think there is a trade off as the lighter car hits higher speed and that contributes to keeping the KE reached and released on decel, near the same.
if two identically powered cars (say 400hp at the rear tires but one at 3000lbs and the other at 3500lbs) are racing, would one car require more capable brakes than the other?
I subscribe to the laws of the conservation of energy here, but it seems that , against common opinion, that the lighter car might reach higher speeds and be able to slow at a faster rate approaching the turn. even though the same KE might be reached by both , ones rate of KE change on the decel might be higher thus demanding more power dissipation capability of the braking system.
From many years of pro and club racing experience, I have not seen a lesser demand for lowering weight, and certainly have seen a greater demand for increasing power for the same weight.
There are some great simulators out there to plug in the values, but wanted to ping the list to see if I am overlooking something.
Generally, this is to combat the thought from many, that if they have a heavy car, (and the same hp as their competitor) that they need more braking capacity. I disagree and think there is a trade off as the lighter car hits higher speed and that contributes to keeping the KE reached and released on decel, near the same.