RE: McMurty Automotive targets Goodwood hill record

[V8covin]

Max said there's more to come from the car and he himself wasn't pushing to the limits so who knows how fast it can go

[carl_w]

If it generates all that downforce from the fans, why does it need the rear wing?

[legless]

Olivera said:

I recall Button driving a very recent F1 car, and he couldn't beleive how easy and stable it was to drive even in comparison to his 2009 Brawn. So with the right setup stability wouldn't be an issue, it's more that they are just too fast. Worth noting that Heidfeld's car isn't even running slicks, you can clearly see it's a treaded rain tyre before it sets off.

Not rain tyres. Grooved slicks, as used in F1 1998-2008.

[Wills2]

ch37 said:

I don't think for a second Goodwood will allow an arms race to go for the record. The course just isn't built for it and they are very, very picky about what they allow to run in the shootout.

The occasional effort with the appropriate driver, fair enough, but having 5 or 6 cars capable of sub-40-second runs on the same weekend starts to play in to the law of averages of a big accident happening sooner rather than later. Whilst the McMurtry was comically fast, it also looked surprisingly well within its limits (a low 38 looked more than possible) and it 'only' had a time to beat, not other cars on the same day pushing them further and further into uncomfortable territory.

Most hill climb venues have large banks with (few) spectators stood on top of them, Goodwood has 3 foot of grass and two bales of hay and literally thousands and thousands of people stood behind them.

That's a very good point, when I watched the sub 50 sec cars going up the hill and especially Chilton in that ballistic sub 40 sec roller skate a big accident doesn't bear thinking about so it needs to be kept within the bounds of sense, it would be so easy to cause a tragedy and ruin everything so no wonder they keep a tight rein on things.

[millen]

Astonishing achievement, especially from such a small privateer operation! I thought Max said speed was limited to 150mph today and they're hoping to run it at Silverstone soon, without that restriction. An interview a few days ago I thought hinted that a variable fan speed might be the next refinement.

Might it be eligible for the much longer European hill climb competitions? I don't know if there's enough prize money/ kudos to make an attempt worthwhile currently, but these things evolve.

Also mentioned that it's gained DVLA approval for use on the road. Maybe develop a version for the police - overtaking ability would be immense? (Subject to range constraints of course.)

Its form factor reminds me vaguely of the Honda S800 - just so purposeful with no hint of bloat.

[ajprice]

carl_w said:

If it generates all that downforce from the fans, why does it need the rear wing?

The original car shown last year didn't have one, they added it as a 'safety net' so they would still have downforce at speed without the fan. https://fb.watch/dUsIvh8CZA/

[Clockwork Cupcake]

ch37 said:

I don't think for a second Goodwood will allow an arms race to go for the record. The course just isn't built for it and they are very, very picky about what they allow to run in the shootout.

The occasional effort with the appropriate driver, fair enough, but having 5 or 6 cars capable of sub-40-second runs on the same weekend starts to play in to the law of averages of a big accident happening sooner rather than later. Whilst the McMurtry was comically fast, it also looked surprisingly well within its limits (a low 38 looked more than possible) and it 'only' had a time to beat, not other cars on the same day pushing them further and further into uncomfortable territory.

Most hill climb venues have large banks with (few) spectators stood on top of them, Goodwood has 3 foot of grass and two bales of hay and literally thousands and thousands of people stood behind them.

I totally agree, and think you are spot on there.

[SS2.]

DelicaL400 said:

For those old enough to remember Knight Rider the record breaking run reminded me of KITT in pursuit mode when they speeded the footage up to make it look like KITT was doing 300mph!

That's the exact description I used when it went ripping past us - never seen anything like it.

[48k]

the tribester said:

Clockwork Cupcake said:

Ok, I take it back, Chilton just did a 39.140 just now. That's an unofficial record.

I apologise.

And although he is the development driver for the project, that was his first drive up the drive in it.

No it wasn't. He's had a run every day. Managed a 41.2 on Friday, saying he backed off when he came under the bridge and saw people drinking champagne the other side of the straw bales.

[tight fart]

That would make a good road sweeper, or how about selling a couple to Spa to dry the track out?

[nismo48]

Saw the run this afternoon...mind blowing

[the tribester]

48k said:

No it wasn't. He's had a run every day. Managed a 41.2 on Friday, saying he backed off when he came under the bridge and saw people drinking champagne the other side of the straw bales.

Oops, yes you're right, I misunderstood what Alex said about Max on Saturday.

[pardonmyenglish]

That thing looks like the bd child of a pixar movie car and the nazi rocket plane.
The speed is insane, it's difficult to imagine a car going faster. But I too wonder about the safety of such attempt. To me it looked scarier that the previous F1 record lap. Imagine a fan malfunction and that car taking off...

[ThisInJapanese]

Saw this on Friday, utterly amazing little thing. I love it! Comically fast compared to everything else going up the hill.

One question I have, is what happens if the fans fail mid-run? Does all that downforce that they are creating suddenly disappear? I also wonder how they maintain the seal on the underside if the road is bumpy.

It's a fascinating little car, and I'd love to learn more about it.

[samoht]

ThisInJapanese said:

It's a fascinating little car, and I'd love to learn more about it.

This is the most in-depth I've found:

samoht said:

The guy behind the McMurtry had an extended conversation on the Car Chat podcast not long ago, I found it really interesting and it gives a lot more technical insight into how it works and what they're hoping to achieve
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/136-thomas-y...

[georgefreeman918]

48k said:

the tribester said:

Clockwork Cupcake said:

Ok, I take it back, Chilton just did a 39.140 just now. That's an unofficial record.

I apologise.

And although he is the development driver for the project, that was his first drive up the drive in it.

No it wasn't. He's had a run every day. Managed a 41.2 on Friday, saying he backed off when he came under the bridge and saw people drinking champagne the other side of the straw bales.

I watched the run in awe at the speed of thing. Visibly it was noticeably so much quicker than anything else.

However, it did have me thinking that a mechanical problem, or a slight driver mistake could cause a massive accident - not only for the driver, but the crowd.

I’ve never been to Goodwood but on the screen, it looks like very little run off (mostly grass so a car out of control is unlikely to slow at all even if dry), the barriers are hay bales and the crowds of people are stood very close to the edge of the track.

Perhaps I’m being a party pooper and that’s the whole point of Goodwood, to get up close and personal with the cars. Fine on a ‘safe’ parade lap, but when pushing the limits of a car feels wrong to me.

If I ever do go, I won’t be standing on the outside of the corner after the highest speed section!

[J4CKO]

I wonder how it would manage on the TT course ? I cant imagine any bike getting anywhere near that with its patented "st to a blanket" technology.

Slinks back to a place of safety.....

[ThisInJapanese]

samoht said:

ThisInJapanese said:

It's a fascinating little car, and I'd love to learn more about it.

This is the most in-depth I've found:

samoht said:

The guy behind the McMurtry had an extended conversation on the Car Chat podcast not long ago, I found it really interesting and it gives a lot more technical insight into how it works and what they're hoping to achieve
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/136-thomas-y...

Thanks! I will give it a listen

[DoctorX]

J4CKO said:

I wonder how it would manage on the TT course ? I cant imagine any bike getting anywhere near that with its patented "st to a blanket" technology.

Slinks back to a place of safety.....

Would it get round on a single charge? Would be entertaining though!

[honda_exige]

pardonmyenglish said:

That thing looks like the bd child of a pixar movie car and the nazi rocket plane.
The speed is insane, it's difficult to imagine a car going faster. But I too wonder about the safety of such attempt. To me it looked scarier that the previous F1 record lap. Imagine a fan malfunction and that car taking off...

Worth baring in mind that the F1 run that was deemed too dangerous was in a car that only weighed about 2/3rds of the McMurty, so the McMurty should in theory do more damage were it to leave the track - especially with a battery pack that I would bet has less protection around it than an F1 bladder fuel tank.

But I saw it today and it was awesome, I'm all for as many sub 40 runs as possible. We all see the Motorsport is dangerous signs and accept it. If you don't like the danger go watch at the start line.