Ballast
Turbo Mini Forums

I watched Biker Build-Off this morning and they built 2 bikes to run at Bonneville.

One team filled the rear trailing arms with lead shot to hold the rear tyre on the ground for traction.

Whats the thoughts on making Mini front wishbones heavier to get the same effect off the start line? I thought lighter was better

Paul

I seriously doubt it!

Isn't it because they are running on salt? and not tarmac?

I run a supercharger and I don't care the TB is on the wrong side.
VEMS + 12 PSI + Liquid Intercooler = Small Bore FUN!

Possibly, the salt is bumpy

I seriously doubt it!

Make them out of depleated uranium. Heavy stuff!
There is a balance between mass and a lack of it in on a drag strip. You want mass leaving the line to keep the frictional force of the tyres as high as possible (therefore maximising the acceleration that they can withstand) but when traction is no longer an issue you want as little mass as possible so that you can maximise acceleration.
I always thought a big water or sand tank with a hole in the bottom would be great on the strip. I'm sure the person who has to run behind you would disagree though

On 12th Nov, 2009 Paul S said:

I think Gary OS has taken over my role as the forum smart arse

use those high speed pumps the F1 cars use to move the fuel around the car and fire it into the crowd..

Edited by gr4h4m on 16th Sep, 2009.

I run a supercharger and I don't care the TB is on the wrong side.
VEMS + 12 PSI + Liquid Intercooler = Small Bore FUN!

turbo 16v k-series 11.9@118.9 :)

Denis O'Brien.

The mini's problem is weight transfer to the rear under acceleration. FWD = loss of traction.

Adding mass is not the solution, it's weight distribution. By moving the engine forward marginally or even just canting it forward would acheive far more downforce than U235 wishbones would.

* Disclaimer: not recommended for daily driver or circuit racing

I moved the engine forward and tilted around 6 years ago, it did help.
My trouble now is too much power for the weight of the car, as its got lighter my 60ft times have got slower.

Paul

I seriously doubt it!

What you people forget is that weight isn't much of a problem when it comes to top speed. These guys are after top speed, not acceleration.

Longer rear radius arms.
Higher rear & lower front suspension.
Offset front arms slightly rearward.

Just a few thoughts on weight tranfer ideas - I'd presume you've already got your battery and seat as far forward as possible.

paul,
could you tell me how this was done?

More weight will mean less acceleration so I'd look at 3 things before even thinking of adding ballast: better weight distribution, less suspension movement (solid suspension?) to minimize weight transfer, and bigger tire contact patch.

Jean

http://www.jbperf.com/

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???

Paul,

When me an Nic were trying to push start your car at MITP I was supprised by how much the front wheel moved in and out toe wise as the engine attempted to fire,

it may be worth looking at, could help with the 60fts?

I seriously doubt it!

I seriously doubt it!

cheers paul....

could be bump steer, but the front didnt seem to be raising/dipping that much.

It might not even be as bad as i think it is/was,

Get pushing and have a look! lol

Actually when I got it home from Pod, I found a lot of play in the steering rack. I have rectified this now - wonder if that was it.

Paul

I seriously doubt it!

could well be,

it was th LH wheel i was looking at.

A big water barrel hanging over the bumper and then as you set off a big pump fires the water into the crowd... It might take off...

I run a supercharger and I don't care the TB is on the wrong side.
VEMS + 12 PSI + Liquid Intercooler = Small Bore FUN!