Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/06/21
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Frank Dernie wrote: > > We built a 4WD F1 car in 1981/2. It used 6 wheels in > total, two at the > front and four driven wheels as close together as > possible at the rear. > It had several advantages such as rear wing > position, frontal area and > the possibility of running full length "skirts" (it > was ground effect > era). It was the speed of this prototype which > caused the change in the > rules banning 4WD. > I do not think it would have been possible to get it > down to the weight > limit though. > Frank > My favourite auto racing personality, Andy Granatelli, was behind the design of a couple of 4WD Indy 500 cars, back in the 60s. While none ever finished a race, and they were retired with mechanical troubles of various kinds, USAC also banned 4WD for what seem like rather murky reasons. One wonders how different racing would be with 4WD -- inherently safer for drivers and fans alike, I'd guess. Granatelli's autobiography, "They Call Me Mister 500," is one of the great American rags-to-riches stories, IMHO. Emanuel Lowi Montreal ______________________________________________________________________ Post your free ad now! http://personals.yahoo.ca