It's true that rules and regulations hinder innovation in some motorsports. But not all. And certainly not drag racing. Witness the constant improvement in elapsed times and mph over the last decade. Plus much improved durability. The latter is probably most significant, because that improved durability is due to the use of new materials and new designs, many of which have passenger car applications. Today, it's not the big car companies that participate in motorsport innovations. Rather, it's the suppliers who make parts for the big car companies. And because the supplier business is even more competitive than the car manufacturing business, makers of parts are always looking for a way to make something stronger and lighter.
> William Robb wrote: > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- From: > > Subject: Re: Re: Gas Guzzlers > > > > > > > >> It's not exactly promoting fuel economy, is it? Plus, neither of the > >> chemicals are exactly pleasant to handle or store. > >> > >> Being somewhat of a sceptic by nature, I want to see some benefit from > >> an activity like this before I feel like endorsing it. Sheer > >> enjoyment from mechanical things, I can get from stuff already in > >> existence. The benefits from present day drag racing seem to be > >> wholly outweighed by environmental and other concerns. I'm not too > >> keen on giant jetliners, either 8-) > > > > > > Pretty much every engineering and safety improvement in automobiles got > > it's start in motorsports. > > Even just seeing how much raw power can be eked out of an engine will > > (and has) trickle down to the consumer eventually in engines with better > > efficiency. > > I agree with (and has) but not much else. I think we are well into the > realms of severely diminished returns with present day motorsport. Too > many rules and regulations for the sort of "blue sky" innovation that > produces dramatic change. > > mike >
