Re: weight and top speed

On Wed, 24 May 2006 15:36:28 +0200, Bram Stolk <bram@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

T3 wrote:
I didn't know much about him before this year as I do not watch the
wrings-dings, but I it's apparent the kid has talent and from the looks of
it so far, his size isn't holding him back too much either. Having said
that, I think it's ludicrous to say his size, or weight is anything but a
major plus regarding top speed. It's been said that 5 lbs. equates to about
7, or 8 hp on top end and from my experience I believe it. Ask any drag
racer, or Bonneville guy and they'll tell you the same thing. If he was down

Uh... no!

The dragracer fights against mass, or weight, so he will agree, but:
for the topspeed of Bonneville guy, there is *no* difference *whatsoever*

Acceleration is hindered by mass, top speed is never hindered by mass,
only by aerodynamics and lack of engine power. This is simple high school
physics.

Take a car, and put 200kg of stones in the trunk:
The top speed will not change (provided you discount the slight
difference in aerodynamics due to compressed suspension, which in
theory could even slightly increase topspeed).

NOTE: your MotoGP guy falls somewhere between the dragracer and
bonneville guy... if the straight is long enough, weight will not
affect top speed. A short straight will give a lower top speed due
to lower acceleration for the one with more mass.

Bram

Here's the problem, straights are never, NEVER, long enough for
weight NOT to be a factor in top speed. The top speed you reach on a
given straight is very greatly affected by how much acceleration you
have available. Even at Bonneville where 5 miles seems like all you'd
ever need, traction on the salt is terrible, limiting acceleration,
thus limiting top speed. Straights long enough for acceleration not to
be a large factor in top speed do not exist in the real world, and
certainly not on any road circuit.

Bill Smith



.

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