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[retardboy]

Are those like F1 cars or something? They look like mini ones! So who knows?!?

 

[Drensch]

They're called champ cars, they're cheaper versions of F1 cars.

 

[shinjijai]

I guess you can call them open wheel race cars as well.

 

[Pimpwerx]

Champ cars. Or soon to be sitting in a warehouse or auction site once CART goes totally bankrupt...cars. :lol Sorry, still a little bitter. They used to be called Indycars you know. PEACE.

 

[Shinobi]

Here's a short list comparison of the cars from Champ Car, F1, IRL and NASCAR.




Champ Car
TOP SPEED
Approx. 240 mph

HORSEPOWER
Approx. 750
FUEL
Methanol

TRACTION CONTROL
Not Allowed


Engine: Turbocharged, 2.65-liter (161.703 cubic inch) V-8

Gearbox: Manual with six or seven forward gears

Tires: Ungrooved racing "slicks" manufactured by Bridgestone.
Front: 10 inches max. width; Rear: 14 inches max. width

Wheelbase: Between 124 and 128 inches

Min. Weights: 1,565 pounds (1,540 pounds at super speedway events) including coolant and lubricant, without driver

Max. Height: 32 inches, excluding the roll-over hoop and rear wings for short ovals/road courses

Max. Width: 78.5 inches





Formula One Car
TOP SPEED
Approx. 225 mph

HORSEPOWER
Approx. 830
FUEL
Unleaded racing gasoline

TRACTION CONTROL
Allowed [pretty sure this is disallowed]


Engine: Normally-aspirated, 3-liter (183 cubic inches) V10 Turbochargers are forbidden

Gearbox: Semi-automatic with six to seven forward gears

Tires: Grooved racing "slicks". Front: 13.98 inches max. width; Rear: 14.97 inches max. width

Wheelbase: Between 120 and 130 inches

Min. Weights: 1322.77 lbs with driver

Max. Height: 37.43 inches

Max. Width: 70.87 inches






NASCAR Stock Car
TOP SPEED
Approx. 200 mph

HORSEPOWER
Approx. 700
FUEL
Racing Gasoline

TRACTION CONTROL
Not Allowed


Engine: Normally-Aspirated, 358 cubic inches V-8

Gearbox: Manual

Tires: Ungrooved Racing "slicks"

Wheelbase: 110 inches

Min. Weights: 3400 lbs. without driver

Max. Height: 51 inches

Max. Width: 79 inches






IRL Car
TOP SPEED
Approx. 230 mph

HORSEPOWER
Approx. 650
FUEL
Methanol

TRACTION CONTROL
Not Allowed


Engine: 3.5-liter V8, 32-valve dual-overhead cam (DOHC), Normally aspirated

Gearbox: XTRAC gearbox (standard), six forward gears, sequential shifter

Tires: Bridgestone/Firestone

Wheelbase: 110 inches minimum (hub to hub)

Min. Weights: 1,550 pounds minimum, including all lubricants and coolants used during the event, but does not include fuel or driver

Max. Height: Approximately 38 inches

Max. Width: 78.5 inches (outside wheel rims) maximum, 74 inches minimum (measured at the hub centerline)

http://www.champcarworldseries.com/Tech/Car_Comparisons.asp



For more detailed analysis on the workings of a Champ Car, hit the following link.

http://www.howstuffworks.com/champ-car.htm



It should be noted that the F1 cars plan to be radically changed this season as part of FIA's attempts at curbing costs and leveling the playing field.

Hmmm...this has gotten me in the mood for an auto racing thread. That reminds me, the recent Race of Champions is being repeated on Speed Channel later tonight (Thursday) at 8pm EST, and again at midnight. This was arguably the most star-studded field ever assembled, one that included Michael Schumacher, David Coulthard, Colin McRae, Marcus Gronholm, Sebastian Loeb and Jimmy Johnson. Too bad it was on a makeshift tarmac track...the gravel track was a lot more fun, but tarmac obviously helped make it more fair for the other drivers.

 

[Drensch]

Holy crap. I never saw that, and I really wanted to. Thanks for reminding me.

 

[Shinobi]

Yeah, it's a fun event to watch. They're gonna show it again next week, just in case you miss it tonight. I'll post a thread about it later today as a reminder.