I ran a low HP roadster for 23 years, spun twice. 1st time was
foolishness, (trans was slipping out of gear, I was holding it in gear
with my right hand and driving with my left) it just got away from me.
The second time the car drifting from one side to the other getting more
sideways with each drift. Should have lifted, but like most of the
drivers out there, I thought I could drive through it. Hind-sight is
always 20/20.
My experience with the roadster was, they don't want to go straight down
the course, but if you stay ahead of its movements and plan on using
lots of the course width, they are a thrill to drive. I believe most
people get into trouble in roadsters, and other cars as well, by trying
to drive too tight a line. In my opinion, over corrective steering is
what causes most of the trouble. Lifting the throttle a little will do
more to get out of a bad situation than corrective steering.
I am not presuming to give driving lessons, just some observations on
why roadsters spin. We carried 200 lbs. at the rear of trunk/rumble seat
area. I wouldn't suggest that now however. There have been some very
fast roasters on the Salt. One of the best performers was Sadd, Bentley,
and Teague. I understand that their last roadster had the '32 rails
boxed and filled with lead. They ran almost 270 MPH one way with that
car. The fastest roadster to date is the Perris-Eaton Roadster. They ran
in the 290s in 1990.
A roadster an excellent example of poor aerodynamics. I think the best
place for extra ballast is, as Teague did, low and ahead of the rear
wheels. Even if it weighs 2 tons it is still going to be a handful if it
goes fast.
Tom
ardunbill@webtv.net wrote:
>
> Hi Folks. Have enjoyed the recent discussion on ballasting, wings, and
> stability. As the owner of a new XXF-GR '32 Ford HiBoy, would
> appreciate 'the veterans' revealing the body of knowledge regarding best
> practice for ballasting and weight distribution of Roadsters.
>
> The first Ardun '32 Ford HiBoy at Bonneville was C&T Automotive in '51
> which did 162 on 25% nitro. This was excellent, but period articles
> tell that the car had trouble with spins before it set this mark.
>
> Some roadsters like the Sum Fun '34 seem to make run after run at 250
> 'on rails' with never a bit of trouble. Other people have problems with
> fishtailing, traction, spins, etc. at much lower speeds. What makes the
> difference???
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