With all the belly achin' about restrictor plates, sandbaggin',
aerodynamics, and everything else that goes with Daytona and Talladega, I've
been wondering lately if my two favorite tracks are in dire peril of being
exposed as frauds. To those of us who just like to see a great race, the last
few years have given us 3 and 4 wide, who knows how many deep packs inches
apart for 500 miles. Great stuff! For us. To the drivers, however, three plus
hours of white knuckle hold your breath and wonder if it will be your last
driving seems to be wearing thin.
A conundrum, as I understand it, is a question with no one clear answer.
Such is the case with a race track thats very design actually precludes
racing per se. If , logistically speaking, we could build a track 500 miles
long in a straight line, the only difference would be that the spectators
wouldn't get much of a show. If Nascar were to turn the teams lose with
unrestricted horsepower, as some suggest, the drivers would once again be
forced to lift the right foot once in a while. Of course, due to safety
concerns and the fact that no tires will carry a 3400 pound car at 235 miles
per hour for very long, some other restriction, be it aero or something else,
will have to be implemented. So come on, lets hear all the great ideas that
will save Cup Racing as we know it. Lighten up the cars? The tires will hold
up better. We know because we already have divisions with lighter cars. Take
away aerodynamics? We didn't have much in the way of aeros years ago when
Bill Elliott was running 212. We also didn't have much in the competition
category. Face it. You're not going to put a hundred and eighty thousand old
school purists in the stands to watch a three car race that is won by six
laps. Make engines smaller? Didn't Busch car used to be sixes? Use the 358s
but cut down on the power some how? I know! Put restrictor plates on the
intake manifolds so they can't breath very well and then we'll have a perfect
racing world!
I know, this is where I'm supposed to present my great solution to this
dilemma.
Sorry, if I had one I would be glad to give it up. Unfortunately I only have
advice gathered from those much more knowing than I. Darryl Waltrip expounded
the virtues of a single body design a couple years ago. The noses could be a
little different for each "manufacturer", but the overall dimensions would be
exactly the same thus preventing the sandbagging and resultant constant
changes in rules that prevail in today's atmosphere. After seeing the
resulting savings in fab shop costs and wind tunnel time, this philosophy
could be extended to engines, each being exactly the same except for the
"manufacturers" insignia. Then all the best drivers from all over the world
could be invited to compete and we could call it..... never mind.
Now let me get way out there. I can't claim this as my own idea because
I heard it from somebody on the tube but here it is. Chicanes, shibangs, or
whatever you want to call them. Something to make the driver slow down,
downshift, negotiate traffic and curves, upshift, and resume high speed
driving. This would necessitate driver skill, a good handling car, a durable
drive train, and provide an excellent show in the bargain.
OK I've got my firesuit, crash helmet, and deflector shields up. Let me
have it!
Danny Zeeff
DannyZ@insidethepitbox.com
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