Engineered rule bending
Discussion
2fast748 said:
moffspeed said:
The old Le Mans trick (before modern technology and tamper-proof seals) - ACO rules prevented various engine ancillaries/gearbox parts from being replaced during the race.
Your hobbled car pulls into the pits, the failed part is removed, a mechanic busily dunks the item in a large tank of oil/degreasant and then theatrically lifts it out with a triumphant grin . After a swift check over on the bench the part is returned to the car and miraculously it performs perfectly for the remainder of the 24 Hrs.
The tank is quietly returned to the team transporter and the failed part is spirited away. In the meantime the brand new replacement part that had been deposited in the tank prior to the pit stop enjoys its moment of glory...
Is this were the story of Porsche rinsing their gearboxes with Coca Cola comes from? (I admit I can't remember where I heard the story in the first place!)Your hobbled car pulls into the pits, the failed part is removed, a mechanic busily dunks the item in a large tank of oil/degreasant and then theatrically lifts it out with a triumphant grin . After a swift check over on the bench the part is returned to the car and miraculously it performs perfectly for the remainder of the 24 Hrs.
The tank is quietly returned to the team transporter and the failed part is spirited away. In the meantime the brand new replacement part that had been deposited in the tank prior to the pit stop enjoys its moment of glory...
Ahonen said:
It was a true story about the Porsche and the Coke, but it wasn't cheating. Coke is a surprisingly good degreaser and at Le Mans in '89 the Joest 962 of Wollek and Stuck was suffering from a slipping clutch because of a leaking crank seal causing engine oil to coat the clutch and flywheel. At each pit stop the mechanics poured litres of Coke into the bellhousing as a quick, non-flammable, fix. The car finished third, behind the two works Sauber Mercedes.
I heard a story about a crack in a cylinder block being sealed with pastry to prevent oil leaking - apparently it lasted long enough for the car to complete the rally
Well - Graham Hill has been the subject of a recent TV documentary and I'm sure as the archetypal true English Gent and an accomplished engineer he was scrupulously honest during his mainstream motor sport career.
However, back in the late 50's, driving an Austin saloon at Brands those on the grid were reduced to tears when they approached his A30 - not tears of emotion or sadness but perhaps relating in some way to the content of his car's fuel tank...
However, back in the late 50's, driving an Austin saloon at Brands those on the grid were reduced to tears when they approached his A30 - not tears of emotion or sadness but perhaps relating in some way to the content of his car's fuel tank...
Not cheating as such, but I shared a garage with a Can-Am Wolverine at Spa a few years ago. When he started it, we had to leave the garage with burning eyes.
My mechanic asked what the a French owner was running it on and he replied to the effect of "It is just zee normal pump fuel". Yeah, right...!
My mechanic asked what the a French owner was running it on and he replied to the effect of "It is just zee normal pump fuel". Yeah, right...!
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