In Formula 1, fuel delivery used to dictate the length of pit stops. But since the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile banned in-race refueling in 2010, the cars now carry enough fuel for the duration of the race, meaning time in the pits is determined by how quickly a 14-plus-man crew can swap four wheels and tires. Today, sub-three-second stops are routine, and the astonishing choreography required to remain competitive on the slow side of the pit wall is nearly as impressive as the action on the fast side. Nearly.
The best gunmen lock their air wrenches onto the magnesium wheel’s center-lock nut before the car even stops moving.
As soon as possible, the wheel-removal man takes off the used wheel and tire. This is his only job.
A fresh preheated tire/wheel assembly is installed. This is another highly specialized role.
The gunman tightens the center-lock nut and raises a hand to give the all-clear signal.
After the cars screech to a halt from the pit-lane speed limit of 62 mph, two men use simple lever-type jacks to elevate and hold the car in the air. Once they get the all-clear signal, they drop it back to the ground.
During wheel swaps, crews may make small adjustments to the front wing, clear debris from air intakes, and even replace the steering wheel. Such operations can lengthen stops by precious tenths of a second, so they are performed only if necessary.
The so-called lollipop man is usually the chief mechanic, who signals the driver to hold the brakes and select first gear, then releases the car by raising his sign, which looks like a lollipop. Note: Some teams have replaced the lollipop man with a traffic-light system.
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in-car refueling
Cancer survivor Joe Bacal drove the entire 38 hours and 22 minutes to a Stock Full class victory in the 2012 Baja1000, relying on these from sponsor Hammer Nutrition:
Cancer survivor Joe Bacal drove the entire 38 hours and 22 minutes to a Stock Full class victory in the 2012 Baja1000, relying on these from sponsor Hammer Nutrition:
| 20 Energy Gel Packets | 25 Anti-fatigue Capsules | 80 oz. Powdered Energy Drink | 190 Nutrient Tablets |
it takes a villa
Red Bull Racing’s 2012 Formula 1 championship wasn’t just the work of drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber and the pit crew. Depending on location, 80 to 160 of Red Bull Racing’s 600 employees attend each race. Here’s a look at how many people fill which roles:
Red Bull Racing’s 2012 Formula 1 championship wasn’t just the work of drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber and the pit crew. Depending on location, 80 to 160 of Red Bull Racing’s 600 employees attend each race. Here’s a look at how many people fill which roles:
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/WBxStfVSKbg/
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