RE: F40 on freeway (was A8)

[Todd Phenneger <phen9461@uidaho.edu>]

On Wed, 28 Oct 1998, Mark Nelson wrote:

> Because of how much faster the F40 was in the sections of the course where I
> saw both cars going through...I timed them through certain sections as well,
> where the F40 was usually about 5% faster.  Had to lose time somewhere else
> apparently

	Oh, I see.

> These aren't the usual CTR's...first of all they don't come standard with
> AWD, and RUF uses the narrower body normally to cut down on wind resistance.
> The Beddor's cars have nothings standard on them.

	I'm comparing to the Normal CTR.  I think the F40 and CTR are Well
matched cars.  Always have been.  Ins't the Black car they have pretty
much a stock CTR WideBody?

> > 	I beg to differ.  With 800 hp, a F1 car can spin faster than a 930
> > on steroids in the rain.
> 
> Perhaps I didn't clarify my comparison that well...it was between the F40
> and the CTR, which was originally what you were comparing, was it not?

	Yes and no.  We were comparing them but also F40 to F1 car and the
fact that f1 car would be much harder to drive than CTR, me thinks. So I
guess comparison I mentioned above was between F1 and CTR.  You seemed to
say the CTR would be harder to drive at the limit.  I disagree.

> Todd, if you get a chance I would HIGHLY recommend getting a ride in a fast
> cart.  A shifter cart will take a corner faster than just about any street
> car will, including most any Quattro, Porsche, and just about any
> Ferrari...no joke.  F1 and CART drivers will regularly compare carts to
> their full size counterparts, and many drivers such as Paul Tracy, Michael
> Schumacher, etc., drive shifter carts regularly to continue honing their
> skills.

	Yes, they do.  Downhill Racers practice snowplows for technical
training, balance, strength, etc.  Ever listened to an interview from a
first time F1 or Indy driver after they get their first ride.  They are
always amazed at how different it is.  Mainly power differences I would
assume.  At slower speeds and tighter corners I bet shifter cars are
similar but at 150 mph the similarity quickly goes away.  This is coming
form F1 drivers comments I have read in the past.  

> Just go drive one, and you'll be amazed.  It's quite a blast! =)

	I used to have friends that did.  I ski raced with them.  I would
like to but have not had a chance to get in any of the real fast ones.
SOme great handling ones but didn't have the power.

> Not really...again, go try one, and look at the fact that top drivers
> continue running carts because of the similarities.

	Uhh, when was the last time you saw a Shifter Cart taking a corner
at 180 mph.  The speeds are Very different.

> Who says you need to spend a million dollars on a go-cart...F1 and Indy cars
> are glorified go-carts on a bigger scale.  Again, you've got to drive one to
> believe it, then you'll literally be able to watch the indy car and F1
> drivers on road courses and instantly notice the similarities and one can
> almost tell how the car is handling just watching them from the on-board
> camera.

	Yes, and they cost about a million or more.  I'm not saying
handling isn't similar but they are very different machines.  

> Guess I just really didn't care about the total times, but the times up the
> hill were in the 3 - 4 minute range.  Sorry, I don't have specific times
> available.

	No worries.  the 3-4 minute range at least puts it into
perspective. With that range, 20 sec differece is very big.  Do you know
how far back Alex was in times from the Fast cars?

> > 	Impressive.  Nice to see Alex faster than a Sport Quattro.  Man,
> > that F40 is Fast.  0-100 in 7.8 seconds rings a bell.  0-60 many cars can
> > keep up due to traction but from there on, it is one hard car to keep up
> > with.  Hell, first gear is good for 56 or 58 mph.  If only it had a few
> > more it would knock a few tenths off the 0-60. Dang Dog Leg 1st gear.  I
> > love that pattern though.  How often do you really use 1st on a race
> > course :)
> 
> Not on a road race course...possibly a street type course with some sharp
> hairpins.

	Uhhh, Road Cours, Street Course, same diff, right.  Agreed though.
BUt that corner may only come up once.  You almost always shift between
2nd to 3rd would seem.

> The CTR2 is new and has optional AWD.  The Ultimate is RWD and is down about
> 50 HP (Darin?) on the CTR2's.
> I think Frank just got a new RUF to one up the kids. =)

	So is the Ultimate similar to the BTR of a few years Back.  Think
it was around 400 or 425 hp???

> >  I wasn't comparing the F-40 to the
> > competition CTR-2.  I was comparing it to the Road Version.  I think it
> > should be faster or maybe as fast as it is.
> 
> The F40 makes 450 BHP, so it's down a bit to the CTR street car.

	What is CTR street car.  500?

> > BTW, hows the Rally car coming.  Is it done yet???
> Almost...it should be ready for international rally in Laughlin.

	WHat is left.

Todd