In a move to create an even leveller playing field than at present BTCC boss Alan Gow is set to introduce measures to negate the startline advantage of the the rear wheel drive runners in next years British Touring Car Championship.
It is planned to introduce a mandatory longer 1st gear ratio to all competing RWD cars thus enabling the standing starts that are employed by the BTCC to become more level between the two different types of final drive... [read more]
Speaking to UK magazine Autosport Gow commented ""We consider this to be a far better way to overcome the issue rather than to introduce rolling starts and the potential accidents and problems they create".
It remains to be seen just what effect this will have on clutch wear and reliability on cars such as the BMW 320's that were run this year by Team RAC WSR and Motorbase Performance.
According to figures held by various teams, rear-wheel drive cars at present will gain anything between 0.9 and 4.2 car lengths by the first corner of a race depending on the length of startline prior to any first corner.
Photo/Editorial: Neil Tozer
11.13.2009
NEWS // 2010 BTCC RWD 1ST GEAR RULE ANNOUNCED
TAGS //
Brands Hatch,
BTCC,
Neil Tozer,
NEWS
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Interesting. Would not a longer first gear simply reduce wheel spin, thus giving RWD cars more of a traction advantage?
ReplyDeleteFail wheel drive...and diesel =(
ReplyDeleteMakes sense to me. As long as it's long long, not just a teeny amount.
ReplyDelete