Good question - now I am NOT an expert but I
do have insider information. My father makes
accelerometers. Devices that measure acceleration
(good stuff for me, I can measure the smallest
performances increase in almost any category).
Many Nascar, Formula, Indy etc guys are buying
his products and he speaks to them personally.
He loves racing and one of the things he told
me when I asked this question was brake cooling.
The open wheel also helps keep tire temperature
down. It's easy to overheat those kinds of brakes
and tires, escpecially the way those guys push
them. This was the original idea behind the
design along with less general weight. It
also help with center of gravity, roll centers
and other things that combined create a fantastic
handling car.
Hope that helps. Some of the best information
I have ever gotten about car design came from
a book that was written in the 70s. It's called
"How to Make you car Handle". GREAT book,
you won't believe the info the author (Forget
his name) gives you for 10 bucks. I almost
felt like a theif reading this thing. Though
I must say I have read it twice and some things
still elude me.
Chris
------------------
I've got what it takes to take what you've got.
[This message has been edited by chris_y2k_r1 (edited July 26, 2000).]
