BTCC A4Q anti-roll bars

["David G. Lawson" <71344.2441@compuserve.com>]

While reviewing the A4q article in racecar engineering, I finally found a 
photograph which shows the anti-roll bars. Phil Payne mentioned a few
months ago that upon inspection these had aerodynamic type designs.
I was intrigued by that description. Then upon reviewing the article 
photgraphs, I saw what Phil was talking about. The shape is used for
getting variable anti-roll bar rates and not really for its aerodynamic
properties.

What Phil saw were the machined ends attached to the bar. Think of a
3D cone with a base of 2 in. About 1/2 in above the base, machine away
opposite sides fo the cone until about 1/4 in thickness remains. In the thin
side profile, you see a base with a thin appendage. Rotate the cone 90
degrees and you see the silouette of a cone. 

With this cone type end link, you rotate it from the horizontal shape
to the cone shape to increase the effective bar rate, with the cone shape
giving the maximum bar rate. These are very similar to what I saw attached
to the rear suspension of the Porsche 911 GT-1 LeMans car with some 
yellow cables going to them. An interesting implementation of adjustable
anti-roll bars.
-
Dave