Nascar rule changes - no talking to others

[DAB]

NASCAR eliminates multi-radio communication to cut into tandem racing at restrictor plate tracks - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/7454051/nascar-eliminates-multi-radio-communication-cut-tandem-racing-restrictor-plate-tracks)


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR has mandated that drivers and spotters will not be allowed to communicate with other drivers over their in-car radios in an ongoing effort to eliminate tandem racing at restrictor-plate tracks.

The decision was confirmed Thursday as teams prepared for the first of a three-day test at Daytona International Speedway, a tuneup for the Feb. 26 Daytona 500.

In the past few years, drivers and spotters have had the ability to talk to multiple teams over their radios, using them to coordinate which cars would pair up and to help drivers switch from pusher to pushee.

By eliminating such communication, NASCAR hopes teams will have a more difficult time making deals and remaining in pairs. The driver doing the pushing especially needs this communication because he has little to no visibility. It was so refined that one spotter would communicate for both drivers, even if one of them wasn't with the spotter's organization.

This is racing's latest rule change to address the two-car tandem that surveys indicate fans would like to see eliminated. Although the rule was designed with tandem racing at restrictor-plate tracks in mind, it applies to all races.

Other changes that have been implemented for this week's test:

• Radiators have been reduced from a five-gallon capacity to two.

• The overflow tank has been shrunk to a capacity of a half-gallon.

• The radiator inlet is closer to the front-center bumper area.

• Springs are softer.

• The rear spoiler is shorter.

• The restrictor plate is 1/64th of an inch larger.

Changes to the radiator and springs were made to increase the possibility of overheating when cars are paired for an extended period. The reduction in spoiler size and increase in plate size was made to make the cars harder to handle at high speeds, and thus harder to stay hooked up.

should make for a little more interesting race at Daytona and Taladega.

[VatorMan]

Yep-Looking forward to more Fords and Toyotas blowing up due to the radiator restrictions. :lol:

[RedLS1GTO]

should make for a little more interesting race at Daytona and Taladega.

They have missed BAD with pretty much every attempt at those tracks since the restrictor plate made it's debut.

We'll see how this one works.


• The restrictor plate is 1/64th of an inch larger.


Curious to see what, if any, difference EFI makes.

[xXBUDXx]

Let me make sure I understand this.........................

NASCAR mandated the restictor plate to make the cars slower for increased safety. The plates turned the sport into a snooze fest for the majority of fans.

To make plate races more intersting, they have decided to make the cars more difficlut to handle at speed?

F'king brilliant thinking, NASCAR. :explode:

[RedLS1GTO]

NASCAR mandated the restictor plate to make the cars slower for increased safety. The plates turned the sport into a snooze fest for the majority of fans.

You missed a bunch of steps.

When cars looked like this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2344/2457849114_f357b254e2.jpg

... 212+ mph was not such a great idea. (Bill Elliott, in the above car, 1987)


The "making the cars worse handling" doesn't mean make them wreck. Making rules changes that will actually let handling play a part at Talladega and Daytona is a good step. The question is whether it will work.

[xXBUDXx]

You missed a bunch of steps.

When cars looked like this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2344/2457849114_f357b254e2.jpg

... 212+ mph was not such a great idea. (Bill Elliott, in the above car, 1987)


The "making the cars worse handling" doesn't mean make them wreck. Making rules changes that will actually let handling play a part at Talladega and Daytona is a good step. The question is whether it will work.

In the words of Dale Earnhardt, "back the crowds up and let them race".

They are currently driving the safest racecars in the history of the sport. The drivers know what can happen and it is a risk they chose to take.

Remove the plates and see who has a set of balls. :seasix:

I can't find the quote, but this is close:

When some of NASCAR’s top drivers were complaining about their car’s handling and excessive speed at Daytona in July, 2000 Dale Earnhardt set them straight.

This quote absolutely leaves no doubt that Dale Earnhardt was a racer’s racer.

“If you’re not a race driver, stay the hell home. — Don’t come here and grumble about going too fast. Get the hell out of the race car if you’ve got feathers on your legs or butt. — Put a kerosene rag around your ankles so the ants won’t climb up there and eat that candy ass.” ~ Dale Earnhardt

[RedLS1GTO]

In the words of Dale Earnhardt, "back the crowds up and let them race".

They are currently driving the safest racecars in the history of the sport. The drivers know what can happen and it is a risk they chose to take.

Remove the plates and see who has a set of balls. :seasix:

I can't find the quote, but this is close:

As a huge Dale Earnhardt fan myself, I have to ask...

How'd that work out for him?



I am all for good racing but more speed doesn't necessarily equal better racing. There is a line between the inherent danger involved with racing and just being stupid. Indy Cars in their current configuration at Vegas is a perfect example of that. A huge number of drivers said it was unsafe and rather than be seen as someone who doesn't have a set of balls (as you put it) they hopped in anyway. We all know how that turned out.

It is possible to be safe and at the same time have great racing. NASCAR is very good at 1 of those right now... hopefully they will make some strides on the other.

[xXBUDXx]

As a huge Dale Earnhardt fan myself, I have to ask...

How'd that work out for him?



I am all for good racing but more speed doesn't necessarily equal better racing. There is a line between the inherent danger involved with racing and just being stupid. Indy Cars in their current configuration at Vegas is a perfect example of that. A huge number of drivers said it was unsafe and rather than be seen as someone who doesn't have a set of balls (as you put it) they hopped in anyway. We all know how that turned out.

It is possible to be safe and at the same time have great racing. NASCAR is very good at 1 of those right now... hopefully they will make some strides on the other.


I can see your point, but use of the available speed would make for a more interesting race in my opinion.

If the teams can develop that kind of speed and still control it, why implement rules to make the cars harder to drive? Let them use the knowledge they have and govern themselves.

I'm not arguing that plate races are boring to most, merely that adding rules to an already over regulated sport is not the answer.


I remember when Indy tested at Texas (I think) and the drivers were experiencing dangerous G force in the turns. Almost to the point of losing consciousness. All they had to do was "lift".

[syf350]

i, for one, have loved the two-car tandem racing. i think it's a hell of a lot better than the freight train drafting. i am not quite sure i understand why they are wanting to stop it.

as stated above, the best racing will be to remove the plates and run what you brung.:cheers:

[DAB]

with all the cars basically identical, and with the strict rules, you are basically down to fuel mileage, driver talent, pit stops, and tire life. not much innovation allowed.

i foresee more 'waiting' racing, cars making laps, staying out of wrecks, and then racing for the last 40 or so laps (last fuel load).