[NASCAR FAN]

Can someone explain to me why at daytona the ganassi team were under texaco havoline sponsorship and then at the auto club 500 they were under wrigleys gum sponsorship.

[bears9]

Originally Posted by NASCAR FAN

Can someone explain to me why at daytona the ganassi team were under texaco havoline sponsorship and then at the auto club 500 they were under wrigleys gum sponsorship.

I can't get that in depth about it but, it's basically the sponsorship deals. Kyle Busch had M&M at the Daytona and Interstate Batteries in Cali.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by NASCAR FAN

Can someone explain to me why at daytona the ganassi team were under texaco havoline sponsorship and then at the auto club 500 they were under wrigleys gum sponsorship.

Basically sponsorship money is becoming more difficult for the teams to come by. Consequently they will get more than one big sponsor and split the races between them depending on how much they give. Teams need anywhere between $15 and 30 million dollars to operate with each year.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

And by the way ...

Where's that post-race perspective thing that I enjoyed so much last year? Did I miss it? I always looked forward to reading them.

Originally Posted by bears9

Racer Duck has had a few more important things on his plate as of late and hasn't had time to write them.

Hey Penny, I'm really sorry I didn't get my "Observations" posts done. It wasn't because I didn't want to (I have about a page and a half of notes from both races), but, as Bears says (thanks Bears) I've had some other things demanding my time. I did add a little to Bob's thread California Synopsis of what was gonna be in my California Observations. My post is here. Happy reading...

With luck I'll be ready with my full Observations next Monday (after Las Vegas). Thanks for asking about it.

[PenelopePitStop]

Thanks, RD!

California was a bore (both days) as always, but I just wanted to be sure I didn't miss your Observations. I really do enjoy them and I'm not just kissing up!

Trust me, I understand that there is more to life than GTG and NASCAR.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

Thanks, RD!

California was a bore (both days) as always, but I just wanted to be sure I didn't miss your Observations. I really do enjoy them and I'm not just kissing up!

Trust me, I understand that there is more to life than GTG and NASCAR.

Penny...If you like Duck's report on races I believe you will enjoy reading Matt McLaughlin's Front Stretch article. The link to his report on California follows:
(The Frontstretch: Matt McLaughlin's Thinkin' Out Loud : Auto Club 500 by Matt McLaughlin -- Tuesday February 26, 2008)

He writes both a pre-race and a post-race piece for every race EXCEPT the Labour Day California fiasco. He denies that race even exists and... well, reading his opinions are kind of like listening to myself.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Penny...If you like Duck's report on races I believe you will enjoy reading Matt McLaughlin's Front Stretch article. The link to his report on California follows:
(The Frontstretch: Matt McLaughlin's Thinkin' Out Loud : Auto Club 500 by Matt McLaughlin -- Tuesday February 26, 2008)

He writes both a pre-race and a post-race piece for every race EXCEPT the Labour Day California fiasco. He denies that race even exists and... well, reading his opinions are kind of like listening to myself.

I like it! Thanks!

[The Dude]

Alright, so I'm watching NASCAR Raceday and they keep talking about these "Bump Stop" things, which are seemingly pieces of plastic that are put on the shocks (I may be completely wrong)

Regardless, I missed the explanation if what they are and what exactly they do, and I'm relying on the aid of you guys to explain to me what exactly are and why they seem to be so damn important.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by The Dude

Alright, so I'm watching NASCAR Raceday and they keep talking about these "Bump Stop" things, which are seemingly pieces of plastic that are put on the shocks (I may be completely wrong)

Regardless, I missed the explanation if what they are and what exactly they do, and I'm relying on the aid of you guys to explain to me what exactly are and why they seem to be so damn important.

Moved your post to the Ask the Expert's thread since that's where it belongs.

Bump Stops are plastic/neoprene donuts that are placed on the shock piston shaft. Their purpose is to stop the shock from compressing completely, thus breaking the shock.

The NASCAR guys have been using this feature to tune their suspension. In an effort to get the nose of the car as low as possible, they've found out if they use weak front springs, the wind resistance (down force) can actually push the nose down until the shock body hits the stop. Then the stop acts like a spring since has an elastic quality, but only for a fraction of an inch.

The idea is by using the bump stops and the tires as springs they can get the car's nose down and keep it there, while not adversely affecting the handling. The lower the nose of the car, the better aerodynamic shape it has.

It's also possible to cause the rear of the car to "lower" using the same type of modifications thus getting the spoiler/wing out of the air stream, allowing the car to attain a higher top speed. Of course, you want it to come back up when you begin entering a turn to keep the rear end planted.

I hope this has answered your question. If not keep firing away until I put up the answer you want

[Bassdogs]

Forum ?? - There are 8 or 9 [including this one] topics listed at the top of my list with a thumb tack icon. Does anyone know why the tack is there and how to get rid of them? Most of the topics are old and contain no current posts.

[lilsexy08]

Taking the wedge out would make your car lower so your closer to the track with more grip, but I could be wrong.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Bassdogs

Forum ?? - There are 8 or 9 [including this one] topics listed at the top of my list with a thumb tack icon. Does anyone know why the tack is there and how to get rid of them? Most of the topics are old and contain no current posts.

Those are put there by the moderators. It is called a "Sticky" and what it does is keep the thread at the top of all the threads. We do it because we feel that there are certain threads that are important and we want them to remain at the top of the forums subject matter. Nothing you did or didn't do.

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by lilsexy08

Taking the wedge out would make your car lower so your closer to the track with more grip, but I could be wrong.

Wedge is a fun thing. Got its name some will tell based on the "triangular" effect of weight distribution when one corner of the car is raised (wedge in) or lowered (wedge out). Wedge "out" of one of the four corners of the car will lower that corner and will decrease the static (stationary) weight on that corners wheel. A wheel with more weight, all other things being equal, will demonstrate greater "grip" simply as a function of its control over a greater (static) percentage of the total car weight.

We got many a blank stare when explaining the above to a new (Rookie/Novice) class. Light bulbs began to light up when we brought an old lawn mower (minus handle) to the track that had the quick height adjustments on all four wheels. With all four wheels set at the same height, it was easy for all to see/imagine the equality of weight distribution amongst the four wheels. Put the mower on four scales (one each wheel) and imagining was supported by "fact".

We'd then take the "drivers/left side rear" wheel of the mower to stupid high adjustment. To the point the mower would now teeter toter between the left rear and right front. "Wedge" happened. All could now see/imagine that the majority of the weight was now being carried between these two (left rear and right front) tires. Placing the scales again under the tires supported perception with "fact". "Grip" as a function of the weight being carried, was on those tires. For those who doubted we invited them to push the mower SIDEWAYS. Sideways cause grip with those forces present in a turn, is pretty much what your chasing/adjusting for with "wedge".

At the track you could see this little lawn mower demo at least "light the light" with regards to the static effect (mower / car not in actual or effective motion) of adjusting the height of one corner of the car.

Folks could now imaging/see that the right front entering the turn, due to the height increase of the left rear, was carrying a lot of "static" weight. Remember the weight distribution of the car moves towards "static" as acceleration decreases/stops as a result of attaining "top speed" on a straight stretch. As top speed is reached, there is neutral force across the axis (i.e. it is effectively the mower standing still).

At this lesson point for the attending novice/rookie drivers and crew, we got happy with the "lit lights" relative to static adjustment recognition and felt it better for a later day to introduce the multitude of considerations associated with spring selection in each corner, shock rates, roll centers (panard bars - front/rear), etc., etc., etc.

I'm sorry for the "go on". We did so love our "job" as novice/rookie director and helping "light the lights" and helping many to recognize complex simplicity within the sport.

Hope the "mower" thing helped in words. It sure helped for many in attendance.

[Bassdogs]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Those are put there by the moderators. It is called a "Sticky" and what it does is keep the thread at the top of all the threads. We do it because we feel that there are certain threads that are important and we want them to remain at the top of the forums subject matter. Nothing you did or didn't do.

thank you

[Bassdogs]

Doesn't Nascar have a minimum weight rule? Is this just for the car or is it the fully loaded car with driver?