Competition in the modern world requires modern augmentations. Staying afloat in the competition needs embracing modern technology — even if it means investing billions of dollars in the process. With technology growing in power exponentially, we can never really tell what more car companies can give to the world.
Experiments on car speed have made massive improvements over the years since the first automobile existed. However, now, people do not only focus on car speeds. Driver and civilian safety, comfort, ease of maneuver, and car aesthetics are all technologically enhanced to make the racing industry more exciting and appealing to the general public.
Not all racing teams and companies adopt the latest tech inventions in the market. But, most cars share familiar techs, which made essential improvements in every aspect of car racing. Let’s go over some of the critical technologies used in auto racing.
1. Transmission
An invention back in the 80s allowed for more improvements in car transmissions. For instance, the dual-clutch transmission (DCT) developed for the Porsche 962 brought significant advantages to the machine. The tech allowed for switching gears without switching off the clutch.
Improvements like the DCT led to semi-automatic transmission, which racing cars such as the F1 cars still use today. The tech helped make switching gears quick and smooth, creating a massive impact, especially on racing. Nonetheless, racing cars are not the only ones who took advantage of the development, for semi-automatic transmission now made its way to regular road vehicles.
2. Disk Brakes
When talking about driving efficiency and smoothness, disk brakes make it to the list of essential techs that contribute to car speed. Moreover, it also impacted the overall experience of race car drivers. Developed by Porsche back in the ’80s, disk brakes allowed for quick and efficient braking without necessarily blocking the wheels.
The disk brake is an evolving tech. Racing teams develop new and ingenious ways to make every process under the hood smooth and flawless. In F1 racing, for example, cars use ceramic variations of cast iron brake disks since the material is heat-resistant and offers much durability in the long run.
3. Dual-Overhead Camshaft
The dual-overhead-camshaft (DOHC) became a powerful engine system in racing cars when its invention led to the L76 race car’s first victory back in 1912. Dual overhead cams allow an engine to have four valves per cylinder. This system and design allowed machines to simplify their mechanism and increase the car engine’s output.
4. Fuel Injection
The development in fuel injection is arguably one of the essential tech advancements in any type of auto racing, especially in NASCAR. Unlike the traditional fuel system, fuel injection involves injecting the fuel directly into the combustion chambers instead of the intake manifold. The system saved a significant amount of fuel while increasing efficiency and improving the throttle response.
In NASCAR, fuel injection offers more significant benefits than its predecessor. For example, fuel injection allows cars to reduce fuel consumption since fuel injection cars take less fuel to start. Fuel injection also gives the team the leeway to make quick adjustments to detune the engine, making it more fuel-efficient.
5. Carbon Fiber Application
Car companies have all the right reasons for choosing carbon fiber as their prime material in car production. This incredible material is a juxtaposition of being lightweight and durable at the same time. Carbon fiber became the premier choice for manufacturing racing cars due to its flexibility and sheer strength comparable to almost ten times steel’s strength.
6. KERS
Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) is one of those impressive and ingenious tech inventions that offered another way for racing cars to up their game. The vehicle’s recovery system allows storing the kinetic energy released when braking and convert it to electric energy. It gives the vehicle an extra reserve of energy to use during acceleration and massively improves engine output and the overall performance of the race car.
7. AWD
The All-Wheel-Drive system (AWD) created a massive difference in improving race car’s agility and sturdiness, particularly in bumpy and tricky race tracks. Also known as the Quattro system, AWD first appeared during the 1980s. The developers designed the system to aid the car’s acceleration and grip, especially on surfaces with low available traction, like snow-filled roads, gravels, and puddles.
8. Tires
Tires may not be the most incredible technology in race cars, but they contribute to the automobile’s performance equally. High-quality tires are of utter importance to racing teams as the tire’s material can either spell the victory or cause the downfall of a race car driver. One important stuff to know about tires is that they are of different types, depending on the season.
The rubber composition is key to a high-grade tire. Race teams will spot an excellent tire almost immediately after the ‘feel’ of the tires against the surface.