Bojan Vrbnjak
Many are probably wondering why out of the backs of race cars sparks. Especially in the races that take place under headlights, as last in Qatar, arise for real spectacular photographswhen racing cars rush across the planes at full speed and suddenly get out of their backs they spark. It is right to explain how this phenomenon occurs.
Why is there a spark in Formula 1 cars?
Racing cars Formulas 1 have at the bottom the so-called desk, which extends from the rear to the front wheels. She introduced this board FIAto improve aerodynamics under the race car and prevent the race cars stranded on the plane. Although you would expect this board to be made of carbon fiber or some other special material, however, is actually made of wooden material named Jabroc. This one is made of beech wood, which is made after composite process, where each layer consists of veneer and resin.
Sparks under Formula 1 race cars, however, come from titanium reinforcements (English term for them is Side Blocks) which are embedded in this board under the race car. They are designed to prevent board damage and do not protrude more than three millimeters from it. Like a race car sat down, first this reinforcement hits the asphalt surface and creates this spark. These reinforcements from titanium were originally used in the 80s and 90s, before the reintroduction of the year 2015 however, steel reinforcements were used.
Does this spark harm Formula 1 race cars?
No, right opposite. These sparks are supposed to prevent damage to the race car, so they are not a sign of injury. Board under the race car on the one hand ensures that teams operate on correct driving height. On the other hand, the board is supposed to prevent teams from knocking on the so-calledground effect“, Which will be interestingly introduced next year.
This is about aerodynamic system, which was introduced in 60s of the last century and ensures that the race car is literally sucked on the ground. These titanium reinforcements, however, help to reduce the damage to the board. Strict rules apply here units of measure, which are written in the rules of Formula 1. Too much damage to the board can lead to disqualification.
Why does sparking occur only on planes?
Formula 1 race cars have a set driving height and then presses them to the ground to some extent aerodynamicswhich creates compressive force. Aerodynamics uses the air flowing over the race car to push it down, creating a compressive force and reduces driving height race car. Because vacuumcreated by aerodynamics, increases with speed, has the greatest impact on plane and then there’s the race car closest to the ground, so the plane is also more likely to come into contact with asphalt surface, when the racer at full speed encounters uneven tracks, which in turn leads to greater spark.
That's it spark under the race car is more common on start of the racewhen the race cars are loaded with 110 kilograms of fuel in the tanks and are thus much heavier than at the end of the race. Occasionally, however, you can spark we also notice when the racer drives over with his work gear curbs, which are usually higher than the track and thus contact with titanium reinforcements occurs earlier.
