Ferrari Mailing List: Re: MB Engine Advantage

[Doug & Terri (dnt]

Phil notes "Half the weight does wonders for momentum as they will spool up
twice as fast as one heavier turbo."

Picture this - 1960, Butler Speedway, 182nd and Vermont in Los Angeles, Go
Karts are using large wide heavy 12 inch slicks in the rear and small narrow
10" tires in the front.  The new McCulloch Mac 10 race motor hits the track.
Everyone is running the 12 inch slicks and a huge axel sprocket to get the
max rpm out of the Mac's.  

then one race day a middle of the pack guy gets a flat in his heavy fat 12"
rears and no spare 12 inch tires are available.  However he does have two
new 10" inch fronts.  So before the main event he manages to mount two 10
inch "front" tires on the rear with appropriate gearing change to match the
previous 12" set up.  In other words - the same engine rpm down the front
straight but now the axel is turning faster, sooner.

Before the race it was an "oh well, might as well do something - we're
here."  Come race time after a hot dog lunch (I can still hear those Coleman
stoves heating 3 gallon cauldrons of greasy water for the hot dogs at the
snack bar - them' s was the days) around the track in an Indy start and the
flag drops - by lap two - he's in the lead!!  A little loose but certainly
out of the turns fasters.  

Voila.  Less mass to get going - faster pickup.  Viva Newton.  54 years
later - someone woulda thot that smaller is faster - but only if
acceleration is needed.  

BUWHAhahahahaha

DOUG