What kind of a difference would it make if I was racing and in my car I had a passenger that weight about 180 pounds and a full tank of gas, vs. a car that had no passengers and was on almost empty. I'm telling my friend that it's like night and day when it comes down to a race and that it could make a difference between who the winner could be.
What kind of racing are you talking about? Yes having an extra person in your car makes a huge difference, especially when on track. I am noticeably faster without an instructor. Im shure gas would make a difference.
330 has ~18 gallon tank. I think gas weights around 8lbs per gallon, so 144lbs on a full. With 4 gallons(~1/4 tank) thats 32 lbs, so a 112lb difference. However running 1/4 tank on track can cause fuel starvation so I keep mine above 1/2 tank on track.
So yea, it can be the difference between the winner and loser.
It will make a difference. It also changes the balance of the car. The more weight in and on the car, the more the suspension, tires, and brakes need to work to keep everything going as you want it to.
What kind of racing are you talking about? Yes having an extra person in your car makes a huge difference, especially when on track. I am noticeably faster without an instructor. Im shure gas would make a difference.
330 has ~18 gallon tank. I think gas weights around 8lbs per gallon, so 144lbs on a full. With 4 gallons(~1/4 tank) thats 32 lbs, so a 112lb difference. However running 1/4 tank on track can cause fuel starvation so I keep mine above 1/2 tank on track.
So yea, it can be the difference between the winner and loser.
Actually the 330 has a 16.5 gallon gas tank. FYI. And you are correct about 1 gallon of gas = 8 lbs. The full size spare tire in your trunk also contributes an extra 50 lbs to the weight of your car.
Actually the 330 has a 16.5 gallon gas tank. FYI. And you are correct about 1 gallon of gas = 8 lbs. The full size spare tire in your trunk also contributes an extra 50 lbs to the weight of your car.
Actually the 330 has a 16.5 gallon gas tank. FYI. And you are correct about 1 gallon of gas = 8 lbs. The full size spare tire in your trunk also contributes an extra 50 lbs to the weight of your car.
The 10 lbs/1 hp rule is bogus. Ignore it. The only thing that matters is power to weight ratio.
If your car is 3300 lbs with 225 hp (more specifically the 330), you have a factory stock PW ratio of 14.66. Now, if you subtract 100 lbs, that drops to 14.2 lbs/hp. On the other hand, if you were to keep the factory weight and add 10 hp, PW ratio is just 14.04. The ratios are going to change depending upon how much your car weighs, and how much power it has.
Here’s the thing. One of the good things about my car was that I was lighter then he was, however when we raced I had my friend who I just spoke to and said he ways 210 and a full tank of gas with my windows open, while he had no one in the car, a little gas and his windows were up. I’ll be honest and I lost to him by about 1 1/2 to 2 cars. If I knew we were going to race I would of prepared. I also felt like the car was lagging because of all the things I’ve listed. See would those factors change the winner or not? That’s what I was wondering. I think it might have changed the winner or made it a lot closer of a race. We’re talking about over 300lb of extra weight.
Here’s the thing. One of the good things about my car was that I was lighter then he was, however when we raced I had my friend who I just spoke to and said he ways 210 and a full tank of gas with my windows open, while he had no one in the car, a little gas and his windows were up. I’ll be honest and I lost to him by about 1 1/2 to 2 cars. If I knew we were going to race I would of prepared. I also felt like the car was lagging because of all the things I’ve listed. See would those factors change the winner or not? That’s what I was wondering. I think it might have changed the winner or made it a lot closer of a race. We’re talking about over 300lb of extra weight.
Your friend and a full tank of gas adds an additional 250 (approximately) pounds to an allready overweight M3. open windows creates drag which can also slow you down.
Your friend and a full tank of gas adds an additional 250 (approximately) pounds to an allready overweight M3. open windows creates drag which can also slow you down.
In many series, cars that win and run toward the front have weight "penaltys" assesed to them to help equalize the field and promote tighter racing. More weight the slower the car (over simplified).
On a road course that's about 2.5-3.0 miles long, I get anywhere from 2-5sec a lap faster from losing the passenger.
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