Thank you. Very Cool!

Interesting to say the least.

Sure would not do that with the pothole riddled interstates in the US of A.

Damn thing has more fun buttons than she does!

No wonder so many of 'em hit the wall.

George

They seemed to have started reducing speeds on Indy 500 cars again.

Peak was in 1996. In practice Arie Luyendyk had 4 lap average of about 239.7 mph and one of those laps at about 240.5 mph. From memory his 4 lap qualifying was 237.5 mph

Then it started coming down and slowly climbed back up. Last couple of years were 232 mph qualifying and this year about 227 mph.

Why do you need all those buttons??!! Hell you only have to turn left 4 times and then do it all over again! I have not seen one recently, but as I recollect F1 cars just have the paddle shifters!
Oh well!
Peter.

quote:

Originally posted by Peter:
Why do you need all those buttons??!! Hell you only have to turn left 4 times and then do it all over again! I have not seen one recently, but as I recollect F1 cars just have the paddle shifters !
Oh well!
Peter.

NOPE!! You need to take another look.

If anything, the F1 cars steering wheel is MORE complicated.

See this link:

https://www.sportskeeda.com/f1/f1-steering-wheel

I recall Jeff Cooper commenting on the fact that there were no speed limit signs on the autobahn because no one had achieved it yet.

Todd, thanks for the education! The obvious question is "If I am racing in Monaco how the hell do I have time to look at the display?"!!
Peter.

quote:

Originally posted by Peter:
Todd, thanks for the education! The obvious question is "If I am racing in Monaco how the hell do I have time to look at the display?"!!
Peter.

Good question.

From my experience with the F-18, you learn to see things through a "scan" instead of actually reading the screens.

We had on the two throttles and 1 stick, 18 switches that performed various functions. The system was called HOTAS for Hands On Throttle And Stick. We could operate all the weapons systems with the exception of the master arm switch without taking a hand off either throttle or stick. We had 3 displays plus the HUD which was viewable through the front windscreen.

Down low and fast is where the scan really paid off. 100' to 200' and 650 to 680 knots, there wasn't much room for error before you hit the dirt or an unseen obstacle like a telephone pole, etc.

So you develop the ability to "know" the result you want manipulation of each switch to give you. Operate the switch, then glance at the screen for a millisecond. The glance isn't intended to read the screen but rather to confirm your selection was executed. You don't see the confirmation on the screen in the millisecond glance. But the info registers somehow. A few seconds after the glance, your brain catches up and says, "yes, confirmation information was displayed", or "no, it's not there".

It takes practice to develop and effectively use the scan and it's a perishable skill. Go on vacation for a few weeks, get back in the jet, and you find the scan isn't up to speed.

I suspect it's the same for race car drivers. Select what you want, then a millisecond glance at the screen to confirm selection.