FIA looks to reduce car launching
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Thursday, May 4th 2006, 09:20 GMT |
Motor racing's governing body is to begin a series of new tests to investigate whether modifications to the design of Formula One cars could reduce the chances of cars taking off after crashes.
According to a report in this week's Autosport, Toyota and Red Bull Racing are helping in tests that will be conducted at the Transport Research Laboratory later this summer.
The research will simulate wheel-to-wheel and nose-to-wheel contacts, in a bid to evaluate whether changes to the design at the front of cars - including the nose, wheel and tyre geometry – could improve the situation.
The FIA Institute's Andy Mellor said: "There are two major concerns with car launching. One is for driver safety. The other is for protecting the crowd and race personnel.
"It has to be a priority keeping the cars away from spectators and marshals."
The tests will be carried out on a rolling road to simulate a car traveling at 110mph hitting another. Toyota and Red Bull Racing are providing carbon rear suspension.
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