Welcome to the RACER Mailbag. Questions for any of RACER’s writers will be despatched to mailbag@racer.com. We love listening to your feedback and opinions, however letters that embody a query usually tend to be printed. Questions acquired after 3pm ET every Monday will seem the next week.
Q: What about security with the hybrids? OK, so the system most voltage is simply 60 volts and subsequently not excessive voltage. For the report, excessive voltage is 750 volts or larger. In industries like sawmills, motors are usually 600 volts or much less and subsequently not excessive voltage. I do know this as a result of previous to retirement I used to be a security coach within the electrical business.
In Canada the place I dwell, the utmost allowable voltage you can work on with out security gloves or different equipment is 35 volts. It was once 50 volts however this was modified about 20 years in the past as a result of it had been confirmed that an individual may very well be electrocuted on a 50-volt system.
So for electricians and technicians engaged on dwell electrical gear, if the voltage is between 36 and 749 volts, lockout procedures or specialised security gear is required. True excessive voltage is one other matter altogether, the place “Limits of Method” have to be maintained.
So I’m assuming that the groups shall be sporting low-voltage rubber gloves at instances throughout work on the ERS models or the unit have to be fully discharged. Is that appropriate? 60 volts is sufficient to electrocute somebody and the potential of 2000 amps is critical. What’s being finished to make sure the crews don’t get harm?
Doug Mayer
MARSHALL PRUETT: It’s, however the 60-volt system has been designed to function in isolation inside the bellhousing, as a substitute of additionally getting used to energy the whole automotive, so there’s that. There’s additionally a requirement to discharge the system to 40 volts or much less when leaving pit lane.
Q: The upside being apparent (to me anyway), what’s the draw back to splitting IndyCar Q1 into three teams of 9?
Lew
MP: Assuming the time IndyCar units apart for 2 is reduce into thirds, I can’t consider a draw back, Lew.
Q: I’m seeing IndyCars which are making an attempt to get clear air get stacked up throughout follow and qualifying. With IndyCar being a spec collection, wouldn’t it’s higher to design automobiles that relied on mechanical grip versus aero grip? Or would that trigger a completely totally different downside?
Steve C, Vancouver, WA
MP: They depend on each. Take the aero grip away and we return the roadster period, which was superior, however in the event you like automobiles to nook at unbelievable speeds as a substitute of behaving like dragsters on the straight and (by comparability) crawling by turns, one of the best ways to do this is to take away the aero grip.
FWIW, they aren’t looking for clear air; they’re making an attempt to create area to finish an uninterrupted lap to get a correct really feel for the automotive’s dealing with and settings on the restrict in each nook.
Q: How a lot does that 100-lb hybrid boat anchor value together with set up? Who pays for every unit?
Bob Grey, Canoga Park, CA
MP: We have now 1000’s of phrases of solutions to all types of IndyCar hybrid questions in a Half 1 and Half 2 Q&A characteristic, together with these. I’d have a look. The annual lease, paid for by every staff, is believed to be $90K for this half-season and $200K for the total 2025 season.
Q: Is F1 hybrid system extra superior than the IndyCar hybrid system? What’s the distinction between the F1 and IndyCar hybrid techniques, and can NASCAR swap to hybrids within the subsequent few years?
Alistair, Springfield, MO
MP: Sure, way more superior as a result of it’s made with a large funds. F1’s hybrid makes use of two ERS techniques, and IndyCar makes use of one. F1’s is contained in a relatively highly effective and semi-long-lasting lithium-ion battery. IndyCar’s is smaller and fewer highly effective and makes use of supercapacitors. I don’t find out about NASCAR.
F1’s hybrid models is likely to be extra refined, however they don’t have cool AC/DC lightning bolts on them. James Black/IMS Picture
Q: How come the hybrid IndyCars are so sluggish? Why hassle?
Ken
MP: The ERS unit provides 105 lbs. Why hassle? As a result of most auto producers who take part in racing wish to race with fashionable know-how they promote of their highway automobiles and vans, and in IndyCar, its engine suppliers at Chevy and Honda promote loads of hybrids.
Q: Watching on Peacock, the Mid-Ohio race was clogged with a lot promoting, it was annoying to look at. I ponder if NBC is loading it up out of spite now that they’re eliminating IndyCar?
Brad, Hollywood
MP: In response to those that’ve written in to complain about the identical factor with Peacock advertisements for a number of years now, it’s nothing new.
Q: I’m sending this from the Mid-Ohio infield, the place my car hasn’t moved because the finish of the race. You’ll be able to’t have a method out and in of the racetrack. A two-lane bridge at that… What occurred to the exit at Flip 8?
Inexperienced Savoree has some explaining to do and modifications to make, or I’m by no means coming again to the closest IndyCar race to the Northeast. It’s been an hour and a half because the race ended. I’ve a seven-hour drive.
Dave, King of Prussia, PA
MP: First, that sucks. Second, what occurred to the king’s helicopter? A king ought to by no means be pressured to drive among the many peasants.
I’d ask our buddies at Inexperienced Savoree, however when folks have just lately written in with questions or complaints, they haven’t been excited by answering the previous couple of Mailbag objects like yours that I’ve despatched their manner.
Q: What do you consider Tommy Kendall stepping again into the sales space for IndyCar broadcasts with FOX? I assumed he was fairly good throughout the Champ Automotive days. I don’t assume he’s been racing for fairly a bit, however I can think about he has been being attentive to the game. Simply don’t ask him to do a grid stroll.
Seemed like a very good debut for the hybrid system, except you have been Dixon.
Massive Chook, St. Petersburg, FL
MP: I’d like to have Tommy again within the sales space. Paired along with his shut pal Paul Tracy, it could be a riot.
Q: I’m not certain when you’ve got been paying consideration, however F1 as of late has busted the parable of IndyCar having essentially the most compelling racing. The vast majority of the IndyCar races throughout the aeroscreen period have been forgettable affairs (exterior of Indy and crashfests like Nashville).
It seems that passing and executing exchanges for the lead is nearly inconceivable on highway and avenue circuits. Moreover, quicker automobiles battle to go slower automobiles deeper right into a stint. Is it the aero? Tires? A dinosuar of a chassis that has been over-engineered?
Hopefully the collection is paying consideration {that a} extra well-liked collection, with higher presentation, status and manufacturing worth is consuming IndyCar’s lunch.
Woodford
MP: F1 has placed on some actually good races of late. Turning that into “F1 is overtaking IndyCar with higher racing,” in the event you restrict it to these current races, can be correct. However let’s not be the foolish individuals who use “of late” to make grand proclamations. Let’s verify again on the finish of each seasons and see whose lunch has been eaten.
