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| The HO hobby has attracted people from all walks, and many have different tastes in racing classes that they enjoy, either in HO scale, or in real life. Here we will define several classes for you, and give you an example of each kind. Formula 1 or Grand Prix Formula One, or Grand Prix racing, is the best known single-seater (open-wheel) auto racing class; though it has traditionally been centered in Europe, it is a worldwide sport, and involves an annual World Drivers Championship and World Constructors Championship. Many regard it as the pinnacle of auto racing; it is the most expensive sport in the world, with average annual team budgets in the hundreds of millions of US dollars. It is based around a series of races (18 in 2004), known as grands prix, on custom-constructed road courses or closed-off street circuits. While Europe undoubtedly remains the leading market for the sport, races have also been held in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia. New races in Bahrain, Malaysia, one planned for China and another discussed for Russia, show an international tendency to move away from Europe. The sport is regulated by the FIA, Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, and is generally promoted and controlled by Bernie Ecclestone. NASCAR BODY PARTS HOOD: standard production hood stamped by manufacturer. ROOF: steel, and stock appearing. ROOF FLAPS: roof flaps are NASCAR-approved and in approved location. DECK: same deck lid as a production model. WINSHIELD: all windshields are made of 1/4 inch thick, minimum Lexan. REAR GLASS: all rear glass is made of 3/16 inch thick, minimum Lexan. NOSE: factory stock. For each type of car, all are supplied from a single source. CHASSIS Frame -- Rectangular tube Braces and Cage -- Round tube Front Suspension -- Independent double-A arm Rear Suspension -- Solid axles, track arms, Panhard rod Steering -- Power heavy-duty worm and pinion Brakes -- Four-wheel disc Wheels -- 9.5 x 15 inches Tires -- Goodyear Eagle speedway radials, 12 x 15 inches ENGINE - Specifications by NASCAR & Car Manufacturer Manufacturer Chevrolet Monte Carlo Pontiac Grand Prix Ford Taurus Type V-8 The biggest barometer of how a NASCAR team determines its success or failure during a season is the number of series points it earns. The winner of each NASCAR race receives 180 points. The runner-up in each event scores 170. From there, the point total declines in five-point increments for places two through six, points awarded drop four points per driver for positions seven through 11 and three-point increments separate drivers' points for finishers in 12th place or lower. The 43rd, or last-place driver, gets 34 points. There are also bonus points up for grabs at each event. Drivers receive five points for leading a lap and an additional five points for leading the most laps. Indy Cars Type: 3.5-liter V8, 32-valve dual-overhead cam (DOHC), Normally aspirated no turbocharger) Size: 3.5-liter displacement, 213.580 cubic inches Max. bore diameter 93 millimeters Four camshafts, four valves per cylinder Weight: Minimum weight is 315 pounds. Dry weight - no headers, clutch, ECU, spark box or filters RPM: 10,700 maximum (incorporates a rev limiter) Power: Estimated 650 horsepower Chassis Regulations Type: Open-wheel, single-seat, open-cockpit and ground-effect underbody; outboard wings front and rear Construction: Monocoque contains cockpit, fuel cell and front suspension; engine is stressed (integral) member of chassis; rear assembly contains gearbox and rear suspension members Materials: Carbon fiber and composites Weight: 1,550 pounds minimum, including all lubricants and coolants used during the event, but does not include fuel or driver Length: 196 inches maximum, 192 inches minimum Width: 78.5 inches (outside wheel rims) maximum, 74 inches minimum (measured at the hub centerline) Height: Approximately 38 inches Wheelbase: 110 inches minimum (hub to hub) Wheel Size: Fronts: 15 inches diameter, 11.2 inches wide Tires: 26 inches maximum, 25 inches minimum @ 35 psi Minimum weight: 13.48 pounds Rears: 15 inches diameter, 15 inches wide Tires: 27.5 inches maximum, 26.5 inches minimum @ 35 psi Minimum weight: 14.7 pounds Tires: Firestone Firehawk Gearbox: XTRAC gearbox (standard) Six forward gears, sequential shifter Fuel Cell: Single, rupture-proof cell, 35 U.S. gallons (standard) Cost: $299,000 Manufacturers: Dallara Automobili, Italy G Force Precision Engineering, England Sprint Cars 1. Engine: Cast iron or aluminum naturally aspirated engine, with a maximum of one spark plug per cylinder is permitted. No overhead cams allowed, two valves per cylinder only. 2. Fuel and System: Methanol only is permitted, with no additives, except approved top oil, which must pass fuel test. Fuel bladders are mandatory. No smaller than 24 gallon fuel tank is allowed at any time (33 gallon or larger fuel tank is recommended). The use of a top siphon fuel cell is highly recommended. No nitrous oxide. 3. Injection: No throttle body, plenum-type, or electronic fuel injection allowed. Fuel pump must be mechanically driven. 4. No batteries, wet or dry, expect 9-volt to power tachometer. 5. Drive Line: Highly recommended to be completely enclosed. Drive line hoop or strap is mandatory. 6. Bodies: Cars must resemble a sprint car: hood, fuel tank, etc. Maximum 25 square foot top wing, 2’ x 3’-nose wing. Top wing no wider than 61". Maximum side board 30" x 72". No kick-outs. Maximum 3" wicker bill. Triangular side panels on roll cage are allowed, but must be within roll cage. No turnouts or any other airfoils. The driver’s right-side opening must be at least 12 inches vertically at any point and a minimum of 21 inches horizontally at any point. Left side opening must remain free of panels for safe exit and access by safety crews. Car number must be displayed on wing. Car must start event with top wing. 7. No part of car can extend past front bumper, and bumper must be no more than 23" from front of front axle. 8. Aluminum and titanium are not allowed on chassis construction. 9. No carbon fiber or composite materials allowed, with the exception of top wing noses 10. Driver’s seat must be bolted in with four bolts minimum – no dzeus buttons. Driver’s seat fuel/flame deflector is highly recommended. Must be wider than seat and extend from floor pan, underneath seat, and then turn up behind seat. No bracing will be allowed in the center of the top cage opening that would prevent a driver from exiting through the opening or inhibit a safety/rescue crew’s ability to extract the driver. 11. A protective rock screen must be installed in front of driver, with no larger than 4” square opening. Roll cage must have protective padding. 12. Mufflers are required. The part #112535 Schoenfeld is the minimum requirement. Must be welded with a minimum of four one-inch welds required on each muffler. NO rivets, bolts or spot welds. Mufflers must be inspectable. Mufflers are required at the start of all events. 13. Car and driver must weigh a minimum of 1375 pounds on speedway scales at the completion of heat, consy, and feature. No add-on weights or bolt-on ballast are allowed. 14. Nerf bars, which offer adequate protection in the event of contact with another car, are mandatory. Nerf bars must be attached with bolts, not rivets. Car cannot push off without a rear bumper. | |||||||||||||||||
| Ralf Schumacher driving for the BMW.WilliamsF1 team in 2003 | |||||||||||||||||
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