Print
E-mail
Share
del.icio.us
digg
Newsvine
Facebook
Will the roar of a race car engine soon be replaced by a hum? A recent Wall Street Journal story revealed that BMW plans to develop a hybrid Formula One race car that will see action on the track next season. In addition to the environmental advantage, this technology is expected to boost performance of the Formula One car, creating an extra 80 horsepower.
Naturally, the obvious question is should NASCAR move in the same direction? Yes, eventually. It would be a good idea to see how well the technology works in Formula One to determine if it is a viable option for stock-car racing.
But before you start having scary thoughts of rear-winged Toyota Priuses humming around the high banks of Daytona, consider that a hybrid stock car probably wouldn’t look any different than the current car. And, of course, it would have to sound like a real race car to be taken seriously by the fans. The fans of this sport have had to endure enough changes over the past several seasons and a new car that would radically depart from what is currently used could be too much for fans to accept.
Energy and environmental realities are forcing automotive technology to evolve and it seems silly to think that race car technology shouldn’t evolve also. If hybrid technology can boost efficiency and performance and can be used in racing in a way that’s cost effective, then why shouldn’t NASCAR examine the possibility of using new technology?
It’s amazing to think that in the age of fuel injection and overhead cam engines NASCAR is still using carburetors and pushrod engine designs. I understand that it’s necessary to control technology to prevent electronic cheating and to hold down costs. But if hybrid technology ends up working for Formula One, then NASCAR will have to stand up and take notice.
Besides, I’d love to see the look on the face of one of my tree-hugging, Prius-driving, anti-NASCAR friends when they realize that Sprint Cup cars are hybrid.
A hybrid NASCAR race car? Hey, man, the fans don't even like the COT!
I'd be all for hybrid cars as long as they aren't Toyotas
Rather than go hybrid, maybe NASCAR should bolt from F-1 and go the other direction: Hydrogen Fuel Cells. Start them in the Nationwide Series and see how well they work.
After all, the biggest thing keeping hydrogen off the streets is a lack of a distribution network – not a problem at 20-something NASCAR tracks. And if one of the cells is ruptured, hey, racin' is rubbin'. It'd give a whole new meaning to calling Tony Stewart "Smoke."
The thing I'd worry about with a hybrid NASCAR car would be the electrical aspect of it. If, somehow, the inverter got mangled to the point where it was coming in contact with the frame / body without shutting down, rescue workers and drivers themselves will be dealing with a very hazardous situation after a crash. Even if it's a 1-in-1000 situation, that's still one very dangerous problem.
are you kidding me? If you like Formula 1 so much, go watch it and leave NASCAR alone. Maybe just maybe you will see one pass for the lead a year. If you really knew NASCAR, you'd realize that fans have had enough change and the last thing we want is hybrid cars. go push your green agenda somewere else.
Good points from BringtheRain, but I think 007_fan needs to go back and read my post again.
Hey James Bond Fan, are you really a Redneck, and proud of it as well? Try and finish grade 6 if you can, it would help you understand the ways of life a little more, to say nothing of you reading skills!
Na$car isn't NASA...their only concern is the bottom line in their entertainment business. I seem to recall that Na$car went to unleaded gas during the 70's to spin that the sport was responsive to change...but the engines in Na$car vehicles look more like the 1960's than anything being sold by any manufacturer today---and that's just fine with the fans. When most of all the vehicles in America are hybrid, then maybe, just maybe, Na$car might consider it...sort of like how Toyota was worked into the mix. Check back in ten years...
Hey fancan: "to say nothing of you reading skills!" Looks like YOU might not have finished the sixth grade based on your poor grammar. Not that I care what you think, but my first comment was in reference to the moronic comments in the post before mine. Why stop at Hydrogen fuel cells? Maybe we can process this country's nuclear waste and turn it into racing fuel!!! Give me a break.
Very good, 007_fan, I'm busted. Didn't notice that goof myself. It's typing that I'm lousy at. But it does prove to me that you can read.
Why not just get it all over with and go straight to nuclear powered cars, then the 'big one' will be the 'only one'! I think BringtheRain's comment was a little tongue-in-cheek. I think!
Hey, 007_Fan...maybe I'm the dumb one. I thought your comments were directed at my post until someone in the newsroom pointed out that you were referring to the comment before yours. My mistake.