Your favourite 'cheats' in motorsport
Discussion
In the past most cheat mods were pretty subtle these days not so much .
I repeat a classic from my busy times as an official.
A single seater racer was always quick in practice but always swapped tyres before the end of the session. Cars were weighed after practice and he was always legal . Then one day it was noticed that the car was slowly rocking back n forth .
The tyres were full of water to bring the car up to weight .
I repeat a classic from my busy times as an official.
A single seater racer was always quick in practice but always swapped tyres before the end of the session. Cars were weighed after practice and he was always legal . Then one day it was noticed that the car was slowly rocking back n forth .
The tyres were full of water to bring the car up to weight .
Couple of NASCAR ones from the Stapleton42 YouTube channel -
https://youtu.be/s4-_0SMgGag?si=MAAo7RaEsDN-OgQf
Two in the first 5 minutes, a twin carb hidden in the air cleaner and a restrictor/adapter thing to fudge a capacity test.
https://youtu.be/68NuniCVmhI?si=bi-s9w195AIs_AaR
A hydraulically adjustable rear spoiler.
And now probably the best cheat of all time -
https://youtu.be/p9_ikuruHcc?si=TpgOOue4c-iSqn1h
Penske cut up a pre production Ford Taurus to make the aero better, then showed it to NASCAR before the car was available to the public.
https://youtu.be/s4-_0SMgGag?si=MAAo7RaEsDN-OgQf
Two in the first 5 minutes, a twin carb hidden in the air cleaner and a restrictor/adapter thing to fudge a capacity test.
https://youtu.be/68NuniCVmhI?si=bi-s9w195AIs_AaR
A hydraulically adjustable rear spoiler.
And now probably the best cheat of all time -
https://youtu.be/p9_ikuruHcc?si=TpgOOue4c-iSqn1h
Penske cut up a pre production Ford Taurus to make the aero better, then showed it to NASCAR before the car was available to the public.
Some updates from me
A weird shaped black block on the side of a F/Ford distributor found last year.
“What’s that?” Is asked
“err….” No answer given
“Would you care to take it apart and demonstrate to me what its function is?”
“err…. No” – (then quietly) “not with everyone watching.”
We find somewhere quiet – and out of the gaze of nosy people watching.
The mechanic starts to remove it and its apparent the block has a stepper motor in it. Its changing the ignition timing as a crude form of traction control. There are some very tiny sensors on the drive shaft inner CVs.
“Take it off and don’t let me see it again”.
But basically - having racing cars with master switch/extinguisher stickers actually visible on the outside to the marshals - would be a start for some championships.
I think some drivers just want to burn.....
A weird shaped black block on the side of a F/Ford distributor found last year.
“What’s that?” Is asked
“err….” No answer given
“Would you care to take it apart and demonstrate to me what its function is?”
“err…. No” – (then quietly) “not with everyone watching.”
We find somewhere quiet – and out of the gaze of nosy people watching.
The mechanic starts to remove it and its apparent the block has a stepper motor in it. Its changing the ignition timing as a crude form of traction control. There are some very tiny sensors on the drive shaft inner CVs.
“Take it off and don’t let me see it again”.
But basically - having racing cars with master switch/extinguisher stickers actually visible on the outside to the marshals - would be a start for some championships.
I think some drivers just want to burn.....
Robmarriott said:
Couple of NASCAR ones from the Stapleton42 YouTube channel -
https://youtu.be/s4-_0SMgGag?si=MAAo7RaEsDN-OgQf
Two in the first 5 minutes, a twin carb hidden in the air cleaner and a restrictor/adapter thing to fudge a capacity test.
https://youtu.be/68NuniCVmhI?si=bi-s9w195AIs_AaR
A hydraulically adjustable rear spoiler.
And now probably the best cheat of all time -
https://youtu.be/p9_ikuruHcc?si=TpgOOue4c-iSqn1h
Penske cut up a pre production Ford Taurus to make the aero better, then showed it to NASCAR before the car was available to the public.
You can tell that NASCAR grew out of prohibition, and the moonshiners building cars to outrun the cops then racing them on Sundays. So many not-subtle-at-all cheats, it definitely wouldn’t be the easiest series to scrutineer. https://youtu.be/s4-_0SMgGag?si=MAAo7RaEsDN-OgQf
Two in the first 5 minutes, a twin carb hidden in the air cleaner and a restrictor/adapter thing to fudge a capacity test.
https://youtu.be/68NuniCVmhI?si=bi-s9w195AIs_AaR
A hydraulically adjustable rear spoiler.
And now probably the best cheat of all time -
https://youtu.be/p9_ikuruHcc?si=TpgOOue4c-iSqn1h
Penske cut up a pre production Ford Taurus to make the aero better, then showed it to NASCAR before the car was available to the public.
I recal one where the car was the wrong shape for the inspectors’ body template, and the entrant ‘found’ one of the same model road car in the car park outside, which rather surprisingly (for the inspectors)matched the profile of the race car exactly!
Another was that the engine was mounted far back in the chassis, such that getting to the rear two cylinders was a nightmare for scrutineers. So those two got bored and stroked, leaving the other six exactly as they should be!
My funniest recent cheat was the Ferrari F1 in 2019, where they worked out how to sync the fuel pump with the pulses of the electronic fuel flow sensor, to push more fuel through than allowed.
But instead of pushing 1% more fuel through, they decided to push 10% more fuel through; and Leclerc’s red car went past Hamilton on the Kemmel Straight in a way that made the previously-dominant Mercedes look like a refugee from the F2 race that was held earlier in the day!
Thankfully the FIA President at the time was an ex-Ferrari team boss, so they managed to hush up the complaints and deal with it between themselves in a confidential agreement.
But instead of pushing 1% more fuel through, they decided to push 10% more fuel through; and Leclerc’s red car went past Hamilton on the Kemmel Straight in a way that made the previously-dominant Mercedes look like a refugee from the F2 race that was held earlier in the day!
Thankfully the FIA President at the time was an ex-Ferrari team boss, so they managed to hush up the complaints and deal with it between themselves in a confidential agreement.
Another classic from the past ,on board Fire bottle filled with nos and connected to the induction system.
Another was a rallycross car with a second fuel tank within the fuel tank and fuel lines within fuel lines . It was noticeable because he was bumping more powerful cars up the rear along the straights,the smell also was a clue that the brew was different!
One series stated that only pump fuel was allowed. It didn't state where the pump needed to be located.
A race circuit in France within an hour of Calais sold 105 octane fuel which gave a very significant power boost over what was available in the UK.
Strict rules in some series leads to subtle dodges .
Alternators must be fitted and connected, fit a free wheeling front pulley to the alternator and you gain 5+ bhp ,just make sure your battery could last the race.
Another was a rallycross car with a second fuel tank within the fuel tank and fuel lines within fuel lines . It was noticeable because he was bumping more powerful cars up the rear along the straights,the smell also was a clue that the brew was different!
One series stated that only pump fuel was allowed. It didn't state where the pump needed to be located.
A race circuit in France within an hour of Calais sold 105 octane fuel which gave a very significant power boost over what was available in the UK.
Strict rules in some series leads to subtle dodges .
Alternators must be fitted and connected, fit a free wheeling front pulley to the alternator and you gain 5+ bhp ,just make sure your battery could last the race.
grumpy52 said:
Strict rules in some series leads to subtle dodges .
Alternators must be fitted and connected, fit a free wheeling front pulley to the alternator and you gain 5+ bhp ,just make sure your battery could last the race.
Yep, I’ve seen that (not as a scrutineer). Turned out alternator, as well as the freewheeling pulley dodge, whilst fitted and connected, was a hollowed out empty shell. Easily solved by adding ‘and functioning’ to the rules, but no matter how much you try and define the rules, you end up with a huge document and someone will always find a way.Alternators must be fitted and connected, fit a free wheeling front pulley to the alternator and you gain 5+ bhp ,just make sure your battery could last the race.
Sandpit Steve said:
My funniest recent cheat was the Ferrari F1 in 2019, where they worked out how to sync the fuel pump with the pulses of the electronic fuel flow sensor, to push more fuel through than allowed.
But instead of pushing 1% more fuel through, they decided to push 10% more fuel through; and Leclerc’s red car went past Hamilton on the Kemmel Straight in a way that made the previously-dominant Mercedes look like a refugee from the F2 race that was held earlier in the day!
Thankfully the FIA President at the time was an ex-Ferrari team boss, so they managed to hush up the complaints and deal with it between themselves in a confidential agreement.
Was that also the smoky exhaust era? Where they were burning oil as fuel or something and abruptly stopped halfway through a season and went from front runner to midfield overnight?But instead of pushing 1% more fuel through, they decided to push 10% more fuel through; and Leclerc’s red car went past Hamilton on the Kemmel Straight in a way that made the previously-dominant Mercedes look like a refugee from the F2 race that was held earlier in the day!
Thankfully the FIA President at the time was an ex-Ferrari team boss, so they managed to hush up the complaints and deal with it between themselves in a confidential agreement.
Sandpit Steve said:
You can tell that NASCAR grew out of prohibition, and the moonshiners building cars to outrun the cops then racing them on Sundays. So many not-subtle-at-all cheats, it definitely wouldn’t be the easiest series to scrutineer.
I recal one where the car was the wrong shape for the inspectors’ body template, and the entrant ‘found’ one of the same model road car in the car park outside, which rather surprisingly (for the inspectors)matched the profile of the race car exactly!
Another was that the engine was mounted far back in the chassis, such that getting to the rear two cylinders was a nightmare for scrutineers. So those two got bored and stroked, leaving the other six exactly as they should be!
Might have happened twice, but I'd heard that story about TWR's Rover SD1 touring cars and it related to the front inner wings, which had been tubbed on the race cars to fit wider wheels and run the car lower - and the same had been done to Tom Walkinshaw's personal car in the car park which was the one offered up for comparison.I recal one where the car was the wrong shape for the inspectors’ body template, and the entrant ‘found’ one of the same model road car in the car park outside, which rather surprisingly (for the inspectors)matched the profile of the race car exactly!
Another was that the engine was mounted far back in the chassis, such that getting to the rear two cylinders was a nightmare for scrutineers. So those two got bored and stroked, leaving the other six exactly as they should be!
Maybe.
I didn't think alternators robbed 5hp, I did a similar thing on an old racing car of mine but it made no discernable difference.
I did a couple of naughties when I used to race cars, one was at Silverstone where we were told before qualifying that if you went outside the track limits once you'd get a warning then the second time the lap disallowed or a black flag or something. Obviously on one lap I didn't even lift for Copse, used the massive run off area on the exit and got pole by some margin. How no-one else thought of it was beyond me..
Another time I knew my car was underweight in qualifying so I did a few good laps then 'broke down' and by the time the car was dragged back to the paddock Parc ferme was done with, I don't think I qualified anywhere good in any case and I probably could have just gone into the pits during the session anyway.
Not exactly Nascar levels of cheating, but definitely not very sporting
I did a couple of naughties when I used to race cars, one was at Silverstone where we were told before qualifying that if you went outside the track limits once you'd get a warning then the second time the lap disallowed or a black flag or something. Obviously on one lap I didn't even lift for Copse, used the massive run off area on the exit and got pole by some margin. How no-one else thought of it was beyond me..
Another time I knew my car was underweight in qualifying so I did a few good laps then 'broke down' and by the time the car was dragged back to the paddock Parc ferme was done with, I don't think I qualified anywhere good in any case and I probably could have just gone into the pits during the session anyway.
Not exactly Nascar levels of cheating, but definitely not very sporting
Jordie Barretts sock said:
Sandpit Steve said:
My funniest recent cheat was the Ferrari F1 in 2019, where they worked out how to sync the fuel pump with the pulses of the electronic fuel flow sensor, to push more fuel through than allowed.
But instead of pushing 1% more fuel through, they decided to push 10% more fuel through; and Leclerc’s red car went past Hamilton on the Kemmel Straight in a way that made the previously-dominant Mercedes look like a refugee from the F2 race that was held earlier in the day!
Thankfully the FIA President at the time was an ex-Ferrari team boss, so they managed to hush up the complaints and deal with it between themselves in a confidential agreement.
Was that also the smoky exhaust era? Where they were burning oil as fuel or something and abruptly stopped halfway through a season and went from front runner to midfield overnight?But instead of pushing 1% more fuel through, they decided to push 10% more fuel through; and Leclerc’s red car went past Hamilton on the Kemmel Straight in a way that made the previously-dominant Mercedes look like a refugee from the F2 race that was held earlier in the day!
Thankfully the FIA President at the time was an ex-Ferrari team boss, so they managed to hush up the complaints and deal with it between themselves in a confidential agreement.
I was thinking about this, how does oil get extra power? My understanding was if oil was being burnt engine temps went up and this robbed power.
I suspected the engine was kept running by the oil on the straight thus saving fuel that could be used for extra power modes at more critical times elsewhere.
But if they found a way to get more go from the oil all credit to them.
I suspected the engine was kept running by the oil on the straight thus saving fuel that could be used for extra power modes at more critical times elsewhere.
But if they found a way to get more go from the oil all credit to them.
Oilchange said:
I was thinking about this, how does oil get extra power? My understanding was if oil was being burnt engine temps went up and this robbed power.
I suspected the engine was kept running by the oil on the straight thus saving fuel that could be used for extra power modes at more critical times elsewhere.
But if they found a way to get more go from the oil all credit to them.
I think the suggestion at the time was that the “oil” (a very expensive and bespoke synthetic compound of oil) somehow ended up either in the injectors on the wrong side of the fuel flow monitor, or in an over-pressure area in the cylinder head, as opposed to just leaking through the piston rings or head gasket. It was a quite deliberate effort to increase the number of hydrocarbons getting past a fuel flow limit. It was really smoky on startup, presumably due to unburnt ‘oil’, but looked fine when on the track at high revs. I suspected the engine was kept running by the oil on the straight thus saving fuel that could be used for extra power modes at more critical times elsewhere.
But if they found a way to get more go from the oil all credit to them.
Yeah, I remember Martin Brundle commenting on it. Even after start up, but 'ticking over' in the pitlane waiting for green there would be slightly more than a wisp of smoke from the exhaust.
I suppose there could have been an octane rating for the oil?
After all, the engine had a limited shelf life and there weren't any customers for that engine. They got a different one. 
I suppose there could have been an octane rating for the oil?
After all, the engine had a limited shelf life and there weren't any customers for that engine. They got a different one. Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff