Formula 1 cars to be hybrids?

[ga.spyder]

Well..not exactly.All F1 cars this year will be equipped with technology called Kinetic Energy Recovery Sytem(KERS).This will store kinetic energy that the car produces while lapping the track,and make it available to the driver.A type of ''push to pass'' button!The driver can control when he uses the extra burst of power.It will allow him to use it for 6.7 seconds a lap.Qualifying will be insane this year!Some of the teams are producing the energy mechanically ,and some are using storage batteries(like hybrids) and ultra capacitors.There is a article in this months Road and Track for you techno-geeks.The cars must run over grounding strips coming into the pits ,to discharge the vehicle.Some crewmen have been knocked off the car during testing,and all are wearing heavy rubber gloves Is it just me,or does introducing static electricity and fuel together sound like a bad idea? Heck,Ferrari cost Massa the championship by not being able to do a routine pit stop!
Craig

[kristoj]

Yeah, I also read that one of the cars caught on fire during testing. Sounds like they have some serious bugs to work out before the technology is rady for prime time. If you subscibe to the theory that racing is the best medium for developing technology that eventually trickles down to street cars, then it seems like a good idea. Racing in general, and F1 specifically, has developed many technologies over the years that eventually became standard equipment on production cars.

[ga.spyder]

Hey John,
F1 is always at the forefront of technology.Even though NASCAR has contributed a lot to driver safety,they seem to want to keep things ''old school''.Like still using pushrod engines,even though none of the mfg' s build them for the production vehicles. ABS,traction control,aerodynamics,etc...All F1 testbeds.The KERS is going to be used on al the cars this coming season,even with the limited testing.Could be very interesting!
Craig

[Spiddy]

The KERS is going to be used on al the cars this coming season,even with the limited testing.Could be very interesting!
Craig

OH BOY, CRAIG, THIS SOUNDS LIKE FUN ROLL ON MARCH 2009

[ga.spyder]

Hey Spiddy,
I am already feeling bad for Massa seeing as how Ferrari couldnt do a clean pit stop BEFORE putting high voltage into the mix!! I am eagerly awaiting the F1 season this year,and hoping Bernie loses control of the series in his divorce.I wish you and Chris a Merry Christmas,and thank you for the card.
Cheers(see,I'm learning)
Craig