RE: Audi technology in F1?

[Eaton Dave <dave.eaton@minedu.govt.nz>]

basically correct.  the benneton f1 team has debuted a "torque tube" linking
the *front* wheels of their new f1 car.  this involves a compact centre diff
which is there to apportion braking torque between the front wheels.

it's a torque sensing differential of some sort, very compact and
light-weight and requires mounting very low apparently.  the car has been
undergoing trials for the last few weeks and, after a poor start, is now
looking much better.  comfortably faster than the new jordan on the last
test track outing.

asked to comment on this development, patrick head (chief design honcho at
williams) said that they, and a number of other teams were looking at
similar developments.

audi was widely acknowledged to be linking the rear wheels together in the
fwd cars.  however, the reason given was to do with keeping heat in the rear
tyres....

dave
'95 rs2
'90 ur-q

		-----Original Message-----

		------------------------------

		Date: Tue, 9 Feb 1999 16:44:15 -0800
		From: "Brandon Hull" <brandon@cardinalventures.com>
		Subject: Audi technology in F1?  

		Sorry if someone's already mentioned this, but I just got
around to reading
		the March Road & Track.  Anyone see the sidebar article on
the possible F1
		adaptation of Audi BTTC differential technology?

		Apparently, when Audi was forced to go to front wheel drive
for the last
		year of their BTTC effort, some bright light there decided
to tackle the
		problem of controlling the speed of the inside rear tire
while cornering.
		The wheel, being unweighted and undriven, is inclined to
lock up.  As the
		wheel is weighted again upon completion of the turn, the
car's balance is
		slightly upset by the drag caused by bringing that wheel up
to speed again.
		Audi's solution was to link the two undriven rear wheels
with light
		halfshafts joined at a differential, which allowed them to
manage the speed
		of the inside wheel resulting in smoother transitions.

		Several F1 teams are experimenting with adapting this to the
front wheels.
		Initially there was a rules concern that the setup
constituted an anti-lock
		braking device, but FIA subsequently gave it's blessing.

		In the article Audi was mentioned as "knowing more than
anyone about
		differentials."

		I'm paraphrasing from memory here and may have missed some
details, but
		thought the article was intriguing.

		Brandon Hull
		'91 ersatz S2