Boneville/Mojave 400

[f1.redbaron]

They've done it...415km/h. Not bad!

For details, check out:
http://www.bonneville400.com

[manchild]

I’m disappointed - In 1979 on Nardo race track, Mercedes C111 (with good aero) but with only 500hp and probably around 1000kg weight made 403.978 km/h. So, why did F1 with 1000 hp and 600 kg made the same?!

Weight-power ratio is inverted while result is almost identical, not to mention quarter of century gap!

Porsche 917/30C was as fast as BAR 35 years ago on regural race track with race setup!

[RH1300S]

I’m disappointed - In 1979 on Nardo race track, Mercedes C111 (with good aero) but with only 500hp and probably around 1000kg weight made 403.978 km/h. So, why did F1 with 1000 hp and 600 kg made the same?!

Weight-power ratio is inverted while result is almost identical, not to mention quarter of century gap!

Porsche 917/30C was as fast as BAR 35 years ago on regural race track with race setup!

Open wheels and no grip on salt?

[manchild]

I know but I'm still disappointed... grip isn't the problem that much as aero. They've managed to make 45 km/h more than F1 car does in Monza with racing setup?! With all special preparations and stuff I expected at least 450.

Indy car/PPG cart were making (I'm not watching them since they splitted) over 400km/h on ovals, with racing setup. Why didn’t BAR go to some oval track instead?

Wait a moment! If they did it on Mojave airport than they had no grip problems and perhaps they’ll do better in Bonneville?

[Guest]

According to the website the wheels are responsible for 75% of the drag generated by the car.

The attempt was not made on the famous salt flats but on a tarmac runway. If I remeber correctly that is

/ Fx

[RH1300S]

Hmm...sorry about my last post. It seems it was done on tarmac - thanks for heads-up.

We are into the realms of speculating, but the power required rises with the square of the speed. The Mercedes would have had much better drag figures (less cooling for 500bhp even?).

The runway perhaps gave them less distance to achieve the speed - maybe slightly acceleration limited.

Final thought - if they were aiming @ 400 kph, perhaps they didn't bring the gears etc. to achieve more. Maybe Michelin didn't give them a tyre that would do much more? Who knows?

[RH1300S]

Hmm...sorry about my last post. It seems it was done on tarmac - thanks for heads-up.

We are into the realms of speculating, but the power required rises with the square of the speed. The Mercedes would have had much better drag figures (less cooling for 500bhp even?).

The runway perhaps gave them less distance to achieve the speed - maybe slightly acceleration limited.

Final thought - if they were aiming @ 400 kph, perhaps they didn't bring the gears etc. to achieve more. Maybe Michelin didn't give them a tyre that would do much more? Who knows?

[Guest]

I think it was basically a shake down, a test to see that all the modifications are working and are safe.

Besides running at Mojave airport meant that they could run the car in compliance to the FIA Formula 1 regulations. That must make it a speed record for a Formula 1 car, and thats not so bad for a shake down.

/ Fx