Hey THX..........(08/30/06)

[GZire]

So what are your thoughts on the ban on the mass dampers in F1? I was a bit busy at work when they started to enforce it, what's the background on why?

[Zoomzoomers]

OK, I've been trying to get caught up with F1 lately. So... From what I've heard FIA (or whatever they're called) are categorizing the mass dampers as "active suspension". Since this object sit's inside of a fluid and helps to reduce the oscillations of the car. That sound good THX???

Supposedly the Renault's are going to be effected the most negatively due to them having designed their current chassis around the mass damper system. But Alonso seems to be doing good so far. I just wish MS's car would just blow up already so he will retire. I'm so sick and tired of seeing his damn chin from 50 miles away. I don't even see how they get that helmet to fit his head. I know that he is one helluva race car driver, but geez enough is enough. Stop the insanity already.

I think that deal with the wheel hub that Ferrari is using is more controversial. They try'n to pull a fast one.

[THX723]

Not a bad shot at it Zoom.

The allegations to the mass damper went from it being an active suspension to active aero device and finally to movable ballast. The notion of active suspension failed simply because there was nothing 'active' about the device (it is passive). Calling it an active aero device was pretty far fetched too; they had a hard time proving that it has a positive effect on nose pitch control for improved downforce. It was movable ballast that eventually did the mass damper in, since it does carry a lump of mass and moves.

The use of the mass damper is nothing more than a way to minimize excessive nose pitch that can't otherwise be controlled by the traditional suspension damper. This unwanted bounce causes softer compound tires to grain/blister (or marble); an unwanted sided effect that leads to significant lost of traction. Renault had implemented the mass damper to their car since mid last year that allowed them to run softer compound front tires than their competitors. Front-end traction has always been the limiting factor in automotive racing. Any advantages gained at the front-end pays handsome dividends. Now that Renault's lost that competitive edge it is no longer dominating. Ferrari was definitely the faster of the two in Turkey. With a bit of luck (pit SNAFU), Alonso was able to keep Schumacher at bay.

Finally, tire is the single most important piece of technology in automotive racing. You could add another 100hp to the engine and shave maybe .5s off a lap. A simple swap to a stickier compound tire can easily net you over 1s a lap. This is why I'm really glad F1 is going back to spec'd tires for '07. It is the car people root for ... not the tires (sorry to say).

[THX723]

... forgot to give my own thoughts on the ban itself.

I feel bad for Renault, as the device was ingenious, simple, and affective. It's a damn shame they lost it as an engineer. But as a Honda fan .... BUAHAHAHAHAH!!! Too bad!!! Nyah nyah nyah!!!

[GZire]

^^^Mr. Honda fan fie on you and your Renault sedan!!!


Now who the hell was behind the banning of the mass damper? I missed the broohaha the first go around. Can I assume Ferrari is behind this?

Also, I have to agree that taking the tire manufacturer out of the equation is only going to be for the good of F1 competion in sorting out the better car/driver, but not necessarily a boon to the competition between tire manufacturers.