Speeds are too slow

[Grinder-Tank]

220 seems a little slow for that track, fontana. It just seems rather week for what you'd expect.

[Jacoby]

Even if it is a little weak, its still 17 to 20 mph faster than CART's race speeds in November.

[gett'n dirty]

The IRL & CART use 2 separate formulas to measure track distance. If you used cart formula you might see a huge increase in speed, but no decrease in time.That is why I had a problem with cart at Texas, I dont beleave their actual time was that much differant than the IRL's, but I could be wrong on that point, and have been known to be wrong in the past.

[Grinder-Tank]

Thanks, that is very important information.

[ZenMan]

I don't think it has anything to do with track length differences. I computed the track length from the speed & time data on the T&S page, and came up with a track length of 2.00000331 miles (i.e. below the roundoff error of the posted times & speeds). These speeds are most likely due to the minimum angle of attack rule for the rear wing.

This is my answer when people talk about speeds being too high if the IRL raced at Daytona. With the minimum AOA rule, the speeds at Daytona would not be much higher than what we're seeing at Fontana, just like the Fontana speeds aren't much higher than at TMS (if at all). The cars are drag limited, plain & simple.

[ February 06, 2002: Message edited by: ZenMan ]

[RaceGuy]

Originally posted by gett'n dirty:
<STRONG>The IRL & CART use 2 separate formulas to measure track distance. If you used cart formula you might see a huge increase in speed, but no decrease in time.That is why I had a problem with cart at Texas, I dont beleave their actual time was that much differant than the IRL's, but I could be wrong on that point, and have been known to be wrong in the past.</STRONG>

Here we go, start accusing CART of bending the truth in an effort to best the IRL.

[RaceGuy]

Originally posted by gett'n dirty:
<STRONG>The IRL & CART use 2 separate formulas to measure track distance. If you used cart formula you might see a huge increase in speed, but no decrease in time.That is why I had a problem with cart at Texas, I dont beleave their actual time was that much differant than the IRL's, but I could be wrong on that point, and have been known to be wrong in the past.</STRONG>

Here we go, start accusing CART of bending the truth in an effort to best the IRL.

[RaceGuy]

Originally posted by gett'n dirty:
<STRONG>The IRL & CART use 2 separate formulas to measure track distance. If you used cart formula you might see a huge increase in speed, but no decrease in time.That is why I had a problem with cart at Texas, I dont beleave their actual time was that much differant than the IRL's, but I could be wrong on that point, and have been known to be wrong in the past.</STRONG>

Here we go, start accusing CART of bending the truth in an effort to best the IRL.

[silvercrown]

I checked with some old results from last years race. Doesn't look to me like CART uses a different distance figure. It might be true at some tracks, but I don't think it is here.

I didn't do the math, granted, but the results seemed reasonable to me.

[DanH]

That statement was not worth repeating RaceGuy.

The truth can be calculated by comparing lap times with published speeds for each league. It's been done before and the result was that CART does use a different distance at some tracks. It's become common knowledge.

Do it yourself and you'll see who is bent.

[ February 06, 2002: Message edited by: DanH ]

[JoeBob]

Here's the numbers:
IRL TITW Fastest Lap: 32.4395 sec (221.952MPH) (Scheckter)
2001 CART Race Fastest Lap: 32.347 (225.814 MPH) (Papis)
2001 CART Combined Practice Fastest Lap: 31.219 (233.973 MPH) (Brack)
2001 CART Pole: 31.935 (228.727 MPH) (Tagliani)
2000 CART Race Fastest Lap: 31.414 (232.521 MPH) (Castroneves)
2000 CART Combined Practice Fastest Lap: 30.152 (242.253 MPH) (Montoya)
2000 CART Pole: 30.255 (241.428 MPH) (de Ferran)

Official CART Track Length: 2.029 Miles
Official IRL Track Length: 2.000000 Miles

[IndyIRLman]

Seems fast enough for me.