[s-cars] speed vs. weight, core & seating

[Bill Mahoney]

Forwarded to the list (below) via the double secret, probationary, Frontage
Road off ramp and pipeline:
Platt’s response to MLP’s enquiring mind enquiry~
“Basically, what rough rules of thumb does one look to when guessing about
the performance effectiveness of shaving a little weight off a car? “

From: Mike Platt 
Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2009 12:11 AM
Subject: Re: FW: speed vs. weight, 10 kilos and 0.4 seconds & Mahoney JNR
ersatz M3 CSL

Weight is an evil thing. I agree with Matchetts theories but you must agree
driving technique and drivers weight(or slightly overweight in my case)
affect lap times. F1 cars are very finely tuned machines bordering on
insanity.
 
Look at a bike rider. Why buy a super lightweight bike if the cyclist could
stand to lose a few pounds. Bike will only make you so fast. Weight and
conditioning make the rest.
 
I bet if I dropped 10-20 lbs I'd gain .1-.2 secondes from 0-60 on the elise.
Certainly a few mph on the tandem.
 
I need a pic of that M3 Bill!

Mike P

Which IME brings us full circle to where “weight counts” for a lot even
though it is elusive to quantify
. Seemingly anyhoo.  I would also submit
that (like in cycling and running, 2 other idiocies I know of) woahah, less
weight IS really a good thing.  That, and building core muscles.  It's all
about the core.
  
In addition, I have found that good seat/driver position can make a big
difference in track times.  
What is good position?
Proper driving position, according to Ralf Schumacher:

1. Seat height: as high as possible. 
2. Distance from steering wheel: your outstretched arms meet the sides of
the wheel at the wrists. 
3. Distance to the pedals: with the clutch fully depressed, the knee is
still bent. 

"A Formula One driver wouldn't be able to driver more than a few hundred
yards in the seating position used by most drivers... 

...The best seating position for ordinary drivers is not quite as extreme as
in motorsport, but the principles are similar... 

...A high seating position automatically provides a better all-around view
and a better view of the instruments. Of course, there are limits to height
adjustment: there should be at least enough room between the ceiling of the
car and the top of the driver's head for a clenched fist... 

...The angle between the backrest and the seat should be 90-100 degrees,
i.e., nearly upright. Most drivers prefer a more shallow position for the
backrest, and initially find this most comfortable. That's not ideal,
however, because the backrest supports the entire back only when the spinal
column keeps its natural shape... 

...The headrests are not just there for comfort; they also protect against
severe injuries to the neck vertebrae. In a head-on crash, the driver is
first preopelled forward, then diagonally backwards and up. Therefore, the
top edge of the headrests should be at least level with the top of the head
or higher. Whiplash injuries and dangerous injuries to the cervical
vertebrae frequently come about because the headrests are set too low..."

I found it quite revolutionarily informative to go with a more upright
seatback.  It really helped eliminate lower back pain on long drives.
The urS has an oft forgotten excellent seat that if you compare it to others
is nice in how high up it comes (shoulder height for me.)

My <.002
Internet Dr. Bill M
Further reading:
http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/matchett_weighing_ballast