Aston Martin Grand Prix Cars

[Jon39]

2022 is the 100th anniversary of Aston Martin competing in their first Grand Prix.

Two cars took part in that first event, the same as today, but there the similarity ends.
The 1922 French Grand Prix was on unsurfaced public roads, over a distance of 500 miles.
The winning car finished in 6 hours 17 minutes, average speed 80 mph!
Second place car finished about an hour later.
The Aston Martins completed distances of 158 miles and 249 miles, but both then had to retire due to engine faults.

Today on smooth tarmac, the race distance is about 175 miles, with a maximum time limit of 2 hours.

I have alway been puzzled why the old cars always have front wheel positive camber. Not so good for cornering, but there must have been a reason. Does anyone know?


1922

All those people behind the cars, are not part of the team. -


Fuel stops. Do it yourself.
Joint founder Lionel Martin, is the gentleman on the right.



2022 (2021 season cars)

All those people behind the cars, are just a few of the hundreds, (supposedly) required to enable two cars to race for 175 miles !

[Finding Neutral]

Proper racing back then. Not like the rubbish these days !

[leerandle]

Jon39 said:

2022 is the 100th anniversary of Aston Martin competing in their first Grand Prix.

Two cars took part in that first event, the same as today, but there the similarity ends.
The 1922 French Grand Prix was on unsurfaced public roads, over a distance of 500 miles.
The winning car finished in 6 hours 17 minutes, average speed 80 mph!
Second place car finished about an hour later.
The Aston Martins completed distances of 158 miles and 249 miles, but both then had to retire due to engine faults.

Today on smooth tarmac, the race distance is about 175 miles, with a maximum time limit of 2 hours.

I have alway been puzzled why the old cars always have front wheel positive camber. Not so good for cornering, but there must have been a reason. Does anyone know?


1922

All those people behind the cars, are not part of the team. -


Fuel stops. Do it yourself.
Joint founder Lionel Martin, is the gentleman on the right.



2022 (2021 season cars)

All those people behind the cars, are just a few of the hundreds, (supposedly) required to enable two cars to race for 175 miles !

I think they had positive camber for a few different reasons. Some roads used to be high crested in the middle due to drainage, so the car would apply positive camber to counteract this (increase tyre patch on road). Also, I think it helped with steering and straight line stability.

I'm no expert, but I believe this is why early cars had this. Obviously over time, roads became flatter and understanding of car suspension/dynamics/design etc improved.

[LTP]

leerandle said:

I think they had positive camber for a few different reasons. Some roads used to be high crested in the middle due to drainage, so the car would apply positive camber to counteract this (increase tyre patch on road). Also, I think it helped with steering and straight line stability.

I'm no expert, but I believe this is why early cars had this. Obviously over time, roads became flatter and understanding of car suspension/dynamics/design etc improved.

Read this
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...