Check this out, Indycar at Talladega in '77

[mattbholland]

This was from 1974, when AJ Foyt went to Talladega and ran a lap at 217mph. (Keep in mind Rusty Wallace ran a few laps unrestricted a few years back in a Cup car at 221, AJ ran this 34 years ago!) How fast would they run now, assuming they repaved the surface? And don't argue about the G-forces, it wouldn't be that bad (Texas/CART was different since it was a 1.5 mile track, much tighter turns)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm-T4yWANTs

God I want to see Indycars at Daytona/Talladega! The speeds would be out of control. It will never happen, but it would be fun. Although Daytona definitely needs to be resurfaced, even the Cup boys were complaining about the bumps.

And think of the early 2000s CART cars, the ones with nearly 1000 HP... they would turn laps in excess of 250 IMO

[Gomer Simpson]

The current cars would be limited to the same speeds they are everywhere else, unless the rules were lifted.

[indyracefan]

The current cars would be limited to the same speeds they are everywhere else, unless the rules were lifted.

...yup, instead of restrictor plates IndyCar makes up for it with mandatory wing settings and max rev cut-offs.

[mattbholland]

Well, if the current cars can turn laps near 230 at Indy, what would they do at Daytona/Talladega, assuming repaved surfaces?

[indyracefan]

Well, if the current cars can turn laps near 230 at Indy, what would they do at Daytona/Talladega, assuming repaved surfaces?

...I'm betting under optimal conditions of both car and track you could probably expect sustained speeds in the 240-250 mph range.

[Gomer Simpson]

Well, if the current cars can turn laps near 230 at Indy, what would they do at Daytona/Talladega, assuming repaved surfaces?

They are flat out with negative wing during quals at Indy and top out around 230-ish (lap average). If they took off the rev-limiter we might have something to talk about.

[225_at_Indy]

How fast was Helios pole run in 2003?

If the cars had 200 HP more we easily could see 240 at Indy and that is atleast 250 at Talladega, because no slowing down at the turns.

[Captain Nutella]

G-Forces would be an issue. Even though the turns aren't that sharp, the speed in the turns would be much higher, since the straights are much longer and the turn banking much higher.

Cool clip BTW, only a bit short. Would love to see a full lap.

[jcolbert]

I'm too lazy to do the math right now back this up but you'd most likely need a new/different tire construction as well as some beefed up suspension components.

[Kansaswinner]

I think they would need more than 200 more hp. The drag generated by the tires at that speed is difficult to overcome. Check out this clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovNkwiHJCIA

[Big Mo]

Gil de Ferran ran 241 at California under restricted turbo settings. Remove the pop-off valve from a 2.65 liter Cosworth at Talladega (as Rick Mears once did at Michigan to set the then-closed course record), and you're well over 250. Perhaps closer to 260.

Gil and the other drivers did not complain of G-forces at California because the radius is much larger than that at Texas. Talladega would be significantly larger radii than California.

The current Honda NA is not going to get to those speeds, though. Can they tune it to 16,000 rpm? What HP is that on the current engine? Anyone?

[Jakester]

Gil and the other drivers did not complain of G-forces at California because the radius is much larger than that at Texas. Talladega would be significantly larger radii than California.

It's a combination of turn radius, banking and straight lengths that combined to cause the issues at TMS.

Cal has larger radius turns, but also significantly less banking. Talledega has larger turn radius, but also greater banking. Both have more 'straight' to allow recovery from turn effects.

Given today's restrictions, Indy Cars will be limited to about 230, no matter the track (or technical capabilities of car)

[THIRD TURN]

How about 42 front engine NOVI's at Talladega.

[Gateway Fan]

A few points - Talladega was recently repaved (within the last 2 years). The banking is 33 degrees, and the track length is ~2.66 miles. Without changing mandated wing angles and rev-limits, I doubt the cars would be any faster than they ran at Michigan last year. Open up the rules and let the teams go for a record, who knows what the theoretical limits are. Perhaps Honda would be interested in finding out.

[cbreez99]

Indy cars ran at Daytona once, I think 1959, with tragic results...