LCP

...even if there were no driver, drivetrain, fuel system, wheels, etc. and the 2.7T engine could somehow magically propel itself around. F1 = 1320 lbs./~850hp = 1.55 lbs/hp. 2.7T = 429 lbs./~250hp = 1.72 lbs/hp. That sure puts our power output in perspective -- if we doubled our horsepower and halved our weight, and F1 car would still have more than twice the power to weight ratio of an S4.

DocSlow (Mini Pig)

Thanks for pointing out that we suck :-(

NASA racer

fastest race car I drove was a Formula Super Vee with full ground effects...nothing like an F1 in raw performance but exactly like it in overall dynamics.

It's just mind-boggling how much brutal force is exerted on the human body in a car like that...braking forces that unfocus your eyes and cause gray-out...side-loading that can lead to blacking out...acceleration that makes breathing nearly impossible.

Anyone who says these guys aren't atheletes just has NO idea.

BiturboBoy_V2.0_S3--

well, at least they are good for more than 4-8 standing starts.... hehehe

thanks for pointing out that speed = $$$$$$

Steve Trac, Sec 303

now calculate it for a Lambo, Ferrari, Viper, Vette and Porsche!

NASA racer

I tried to do a full stint last year in a 3-hour night race with a badly bruised leg from a mountain-bike injury and couldn't do it...even in THAT thing (the slowest race car I've ever driven) the forces are pretty brutal though it doesn't require an athelete to handle them in the way that an afternoon softball league isn't the same as a major league game.

Scot J

Forchanetly we don't need a rebuild after 10 hours of spirited driving.

Boss Hogg

high caliber racing cars in the past that certainly were brutal. Two cars that stood out are a 1990 Reynard 90D /Mugen Honda F3000 and the 1983 Williams FW08 Formula One car. While the Williams was very old, it was still quite an amazing car. The car's rebuilt Ford DFV sounded great and had some pretty nice ground effects to it. The Reynard (which I barely, just barely squeezed into - I wouldn't fit now due to my broad shoulders) was newer and faster. Full 1990-1991 ground effects and pretty great battle tested Mugen Honda engine. I think the biggest thing that I had to get used to in either case (or any car with ground effects) was the feeling of having to put more power down to get the full feeling of the ground effects. It is a pretty interesting thing to have to go faster into a turn to get the aerodynamic benefits... 8-). I think however, the biggest shocker for anyone jumping into a new, modern F1 car would have to be the brakes. I mean 5-6G's under braking!?! 8-)

Boss Hogg

Hell, how about driving even a shifter Kart after a mild injury! Brutal!

Boss Hogg

cars from 1999, the Ferrari F399, and the experience for even such a seasoned veteran was pretty awesome. By the way, I think MikeS has driven a 1992 Ferrari F92A or F93A at Road Atlanta. I remember a write up a year ago...