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HardScrabble

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Seems that lately traction control has not the hot topic it was at one time. However word is around that NASCAR is still wary that teams may be tempted to employ it. No where on the circuit would it seem more beneficial than this weekends race at Martinsville.

To that end I read that NASCAR will employ some "special help" this weekend to assist in detecting the illegal use of traction control by the competitors. As far as I've seen no details have been released as to what this help might consist of.

At one point NASCAR was using listening devices purported to be able to detect the change in engine sound consistent with traction control devices activating. This may be an extension of that technology. It might be something completely different. The teams have been forewarned that discovery by NASCAR of any traction control devices will result in record breaking fines and sanctions against the offending party.
 
Nice to see ya around again HS.

Traction control - I'm not sure NASCAR could find it, if it's even being used.
 
The traction control issue has been lurking in the shadows for years. There have been rumors that teams have used it in the past and NASCAR can't find it. I wonder how much of this is true and who if anyone was using it. With the way they inspect those cars, how come NASCAR can't find it?
 
In the shadows for some number of years, the issue came more to light last season when NASCAR officials both talked openly about in a couple of driver meetings and further when NASCAR issued what is for intents and purposes a "white paper" on the subject.

The message was clear, it is available, you may be tempted to use it, it is very hard to find but we are looking very hard at it, and if we find it on your car the whole team is in a world of hurt.

Rumors have been rampant that some teams have used it and it would not surprise me to find it is true. I do not think its use has been common nor IMO has it played a large role in the series results. Testing with the device has pretty much concluded that for paved circle track racing it will not make a competent driver faster. It has shown some value increasing consistency and also as a training aid. Road courses might be a different critter......

The devices and their installation has become incredibly sophisticated and covert. So much so that F1 pretty much gave up on policing it and ruled it legal. (a stance they have since reversed). It is likely true that as the devices have evolved so have the mehods for detecting its presence. NASCAR is in the process of requiring the entire igntion system to be mounted fully visible to aid them in locating it. You may have noticed some teams have already mounted all the various ignition components on a panel atop the passenger side dash area. All teams will be required to do this soon.

It may still find its way into a competitors car at some point. These folks are masters at hiding stuff, remember that teams have hidden entire nitrous systems from the inspectors and a nitrous system is considerably more visible than electronic traction control.

If NASCAR finds it, they have more or less promised that the offending team will become little more than a footnote for a considerable period of time.
 
Mounted on the bellhousing,under coats of paint,no less!Less than the size of a pack of Winstons......or so the unfounded rumor mill has it.

Difficult to figure if the benefit would,say,make a very good driver great.Or let a driver burst on the scene [in a rainbow of colors]for a few years,win everything in sight[so to speak]and then slack-off to just good-but-believable status when the heat closes in.A competent driver could,in theory, win 3-4 titles in a relatively short period of time.And excede 50 or 60 wins with ease.Of course,if the said driver proved popular enough,NASCAR may even decide the increased souvenir and attendance revenue might justify turning a blind eye. ;)

Just playing Devil's advocate.All unfounded rumors.But I would imagine some of the more creative teams have at least considered it. :D
 
Originally posted by 97forever@Apr 13 2003, 01:16 AM
Mounted on the bellhousing,under coats of paint,no less!Less than the size of a pack of Winstons......or so the unfounded rumor mill has it.

Difficult to figure if the benefit would,say,make a very good driver great.Or let a driver burst on the scene [in a rainbow of colors]for a few years,win everything in sight[so to speak]and then slack-off to just good-but-believable status when the heat closes in.A competent driver could,in theory, win 3-4 titles in a relatively short period of time.And excede 50 or 60 wins with ease.Of course,if the said driver proved popular enough,NASCAR may even decide the increased souvenir and attendance revenue might justify turning a blind eye. ;)

Just playing Devil's advocate.All unfounded rumors.But I would imagine some of the more creative teams have at least considered it. :D
Click to expand...
You are starting to sound like a Oliver Stone wanna-be. Are you getting Jeff and Junior mixed-up?
 
4x:There WAS a man on the grassy knoll!You must be a part of it.


And STARTING to sound like an Oliver Stone wanna-be?I have ALWAYS sounded like an Oliver Stone wanna-be!
 
Nothing wrong with that 97...I'm sure there is a lot more to most stories than what we are told. :p
 
If any driver has been named the most as being suspect, this would be he.........

But truth is nothing has ever been found, or nothing that I have heard either publically or privately. Quite a few other issues have arisen over the years...manifolds, suspension pieces and what have you and there was no hesitation in fines consistent with the times. Remains on the liest as doubtful, though an experiment here or there should not be ruled out, I see no case for consistent use.

Would not surprise me to discover that a large number of teams have experimented with traction control, but overall I believe they concluded that the risk far outweighs any gained advantage. There are a limited number of tracks where the device would prove to be of substantial gain, and NASCAR knows which tracks they are as well as anyone. Likely a sharper eye is out there, as it is at Martinsville this weekend.

Dominance comes and goes, for the Dupont team, the Goodwrench team, the Coors team, the Budweiser team, and all who have gone before and will follow in the past. Seems to have been a natural part of the ebb and flow of the sport since around 1950 or so. Like I always say, if I could find the reason why I'd be a millionaire many times over.... :D
 
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