Watching a motor racing tournament is both adrenaline pumping and exciting. Be it Formula One, NASCAR or dirt track racing; it’s difficult to get your eyes away from the cars tearing down the track. It’s a dream of every motorsport enthusiast to drive or at least watch the racing cars zoom away in front of their eyes. It may come as a surprise to you, but even economy cars are equipped with some of the advanced technologies that are found in racing cars. These innovative technologies have tremendously influenced the components of the car sitting in your driveway.
Here is the list of top 10 racing car technologies that you might find in your car –
1. Suspensions
Suspension plays a vital role when it comes to racing cars. Its task is to keep the tyres steady on the track all the times. Racing cars like F1 and NASCAR feature multi-link suspensions and MacPherson struts that are optimized to provide maximum grip on the ground whereas the suspensions fitted in the regular cars are optimized for increased comfort and performance. The suspensions of your car are designed to give you a smoother ride so that you don’t break your back when you go over a pothole.
2. Disc brakes
Disc brakes first appeared on racing cars in the 1950s. These days they are a common sight as you can find them on most of the economy cars. With the help of vents, these brakes minimize brake fade, thereby increasing stopping power. The disc brakes found on the racing cars are made from light and durable carbon ceramic while the ones found on regular cars are made from cast iron.
3. Lightweight materials
We all know that the lighter the racing car, the better it performs. Therefore, carbon fibre and aluminium are extensively used in the making of F1 cars. These materials are lightweight and sturdy, which enable the cars to perform better, shorten the time laps, and win trophies.
Aluminium is more common on the streets as it is less expensive than carbon fibre. For example- Honda NSX is the world’s first mass-produced car to feature an all-aluminium body.
4. Exterior Design
Racing cars are designed with a lot of finesse. The exterior body has a lot of detailing that gives these cars their charm. Every detail of a racing car serves a purpose. Aerodynamically designed for pure performance, racing cars are tested to run in different conditions. These ergonomic design elements are directly borrowed by regular cars.
5. Safety components
Racing is all about great speed, courageous drivers, and most importantly, advanced safety equipment. Car racing demands more than just power and courage; it requires polished skills and extreme performance. And, for better performance, one has to be sure about their safety.
A roll cage is an essential safety component that has been adapted from racing cars. It is nothing but an arrangement of steel tubes welded together. Roll cage not only provides optimum protection to the driver but also stiffen the chassis of the car that offers added stability. Another common race car technology adapted by regular car is the OVRM, which was first used in the 1990’s.
6. Dual-clutch transmissions
Due to the risk associated with manual transmissions on the track, dual-clutch transmissions were introduced. These transmissions shift faster than manual transmissions, thereby saving the time of the driver. Many high-end manufacturers use Dual-clutch transmissions like Audi and Volkswagen. However, they refer it as Direct-Shift Gearboxes, but they’re mostly the same thing.
7. Push start buttons
Even a split second matters a lot in a car race. Hopping into the car, placing the key into the slot, and turning it to start the engine can take a few minutes. The push start button can save your time and make your driving more convenient. It is a faster way to start/stop your car. These days it can be found in almost every new car.
8. Tyre compounds
Motorsport tyre manufacturers must blend traction and sturdiness to create a winning formula. That’s why, Goodyear, a tyre sponsor for NASCAR, has adapted innovative tyre technologies that are a perfect blend of performance and durability. Many sports tyre designed for regular cars find their roots back to the track. These tyres provide optimum traction in both wet and dry surface and last longer than racing slicks.
9. Engine Air Intake
For efficient operation of an engine, clean and adequate air should be pumped into the engine. Without proper air circulation, the engine won’t be able to produce a sufficient amount of power required by the car to run smoothly. Most racing cars use a turbocharger to induce air into the engine that maximizes its performance forcefully. Moreover, it’s common to spot turbocharger in a regular car now.
10. Dual Overhead Camshafts (DOHC)
Latest streetcars are equipped with Dual Overhead Camshafts that fasten the air circulation process and betters the performance. Dual camshafts were first used in racing in the 1900s, and now it is seen in most advanced production cars.
So, now that you know your car is a masterpiece and a racing car in itself, it’s your time to hit the street in style. But, before you get going, don’t forget to buy comprehensive car insurance for a smoother ride. You can also buy a car insurance policy online without going through the hassle of paperwork and inspection.
