Russ;
Wide, flat slicks are notoriously camber-sensitive so I'm not surprised that
a motorcycle (which has zero roll-stiffness and a roll center at ground
level) might have trouble using one.
Any car that has a lot of camber change, especially on bounce when it is
more heavily loaded, can't take advantage of the big slicks, either, and its
handling can get pretty squirrelly.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
-----Original Message-----
From: Russel Mack [mailto:rtmack@concentric.net]
Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2002 9:49 AM
To: Albaugh, Neil; 'BB'; Joe Amo; rgribble
Cc: 'DrMayf'; land-speed@autox.team.net
Subject: RE: Parachutes
Wide tires may not be the absolute spin-inducers that many folks see them
as. Although I'd not be tempted to run them, there are a few vehicles using
them that seem not to have great handling difficulties. The "kit-car"
McLaren, for example.
But those who don't think they present any particular difficulties should
have seen the 3-liter "Harley" drag-bike that made a few (very slow) passes
at WF: any time the rider tried to apply significant power, the bike veered
toward the side of the course. My impression was that the bike didn't like
being on the salt on the wide, flat slick-- and was trying to run on the
right or left EDGE of the designed contact patch, when power was applied.
Food for thought.
Russ
ps:
we had a best of 155.38mph, and missed qualifying to run for the 650cc P-P
record by about 3/4 mph. Satisfying, considering the bike had only been
resurrected to "stock" form (from an insurance "total") the week before. My
thanks to Bill Smith (my only crew member) for his tremendous work,
encouragement, and excellent problem-solving ability all week. Thanks also
to the Amo brothers for their inspiration (great models of the hard-working
hot-rodder spirit) and for their technical help, and to Rick from Southwest
Superbikes who took time-out from supervising a commercial program in order
to try to help me defeat the artificial electronic barrier that kept the
little Suzuki from reaching her full speed potential.
We will be back. We WILL be faster.
Nolan White-- recent acquaintance, role model, hero: you were a REAL
Bonneville racer for decades ...and this year, you were THE MAN. We'll miss
you. As Bill said, you "died a Viking's death". You surely rest with much
honor. May you Rest in Peace.
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