Sports car racing has always been a spectacular event. The big names of champions are heard by everyone, from young to old. It is especially interesting to discuss the racing cars themselves, their design, aerodynamic and speed features.
Anyone who has watched sports car races once will have noticed that they are different from conventional four-wheeled vehicles. First of all, the low seating position of such cars is very noticeable, which makes them stand out from other cars. And this was done for a reason, but taking into account the physical aspects of the behavior of vehicles on the highway at high speed.
A bit of physics in simple terms
If we consider a moving body, it has a certain inertia, which manifests itself especially noticeably during sharp turns and stops. If such a rapidly moving body turns sharply, then being a car on ordinary wheels, it can simply turn over. All "thanks" to the high center of gravity. The wheels will be torn off the cover, and there will be an accident.
Inertia, aerodynamics, road stability - all thanks to the low center of gravity of the sports car.
That's not the case with sports cars. Usually, there is only a few centimeters of clearance between the bottom of the car and the road, which are called clearance. This has an interesting effect when moving quickly. Thanks to its low center of gravity, this design offers better roadholding. Of course, the laws of physics are not canceled, but centrifugal force cannot overturn a car. A completely different story than in the case of a conventional car. In addition, the sports car is relatively small when compared to a conventional car, which also affects the behavior of the car.
Also, a low seating position, as well as other design features of a sports car, give it better aerodynamics, which is reflected in speed, maneuverability and handling. If the average driver switches to a sports car, he will have to spend some time getting used to driving it. The whole experience of driving ordinary cars will not help here. It will be necessary to "get used to" the new car and learn to "feel" its behavior at high speed and when cornering.
And yet accidents do happen
Despite all precautions, accidents do happen.
According to unofficial statistics, a significant part of the spectators come to sports car competitions for accidents.
So back in 1928, on the Monza track, the racing car, Emilio Materassi, flew into the crowd of spectators. As a result, 27 victims. In 1961, Wolfgang von Trips collided with another car. The driver was thrown to one side, and the car flew into the crowd. As a result, 11 victims. 1957 pilot Alfonso de Portago rode at 250 kilometers per hour on a long straight line. For some unknown reason, the car skidded sharply, and she swept away the crowd of spectators. The reason, perhaps, was the Ferrari team, which did not change the wheels in time.
These and many other examples show how dangerous this spectacular game is. The earth can literally slip out from under the wheels, no matter how expensive your car brand is.
