RE: McMurtry claims Laguna Seca hillclimb record
Discussion
I really want to love this car, company and their various achievements, but just can’t.
It’s a car that has a sole purpose is to break single lap records and that’s it.
It will never participate in / win any race, you’ll never see one on the road.
I know the same can be said about many cars, but this one seems even more pointless. Perhaps it’s because a single seater.
It’s a car that has a sole purpose is to break single lap records and that’s it.
It will never participate in / win any race, you’ll never see one on the road.
I know the same can be said about many cars, but this one seems even more pointless. Perhaps it’s because a single seater.
robemcdonald said:
I really want to love this car, company and their various achievements, but just can’t.
It’s a car that has a sole purpose is to break single lap records and that’s it.
Land speed record cars are in the same vein, no? Seemingly sole purpose of this car is simply to go incredibly fast to set lap and hill climb records. That in itself should be celebrated. The mere fact they can build it, did build it, and use it is something I'm very much in favour of.It’s a car that has a sole purpose is to break single lap records and that’s it.
cerb4.5lee said:
Well done to everyone involved. 
I absolutely adore battery powered cars for sure, and they're wonderful in my eyes. Just brilliant.
Ok, who has rebooted Lee and updated his firmware ? I absolutely adore battery powered cars for sure, and they're wonderful in my eyes. Just brilliant.
I love the whole thing about the Speirling, and part of me REALLY loves it blitzing records on American tracks, that is really going to rub a few Muricans up the wrong way.
I mean, you see electric power mentioned they get upset and, weirdly, question your sexuality, you mention British they mention bad teeth and terrible food, this is going to really piss a few off and I look forward to mentioning it
Its just a little bit of friendly rivalry, though I fully expect rule changes before the next event to preclude it running, remember how things were when Concorde first flew....
Xenoous said:
robemcdonald said:
I really want to love this car, company and their various achievements, but just can’t.
It’s a car that has a sole purpose is to break single lap records and that’s it.
Land speed record cars are in the same vein, no? Seemingly sole purpose of this car is simply to go incredibly fast to set lap and hill climb records. That in itself should be celebrated. The mere fact they can build it, did build it, and use it is something I'm very much in favour of.It’s a car that has a sole purpose is to break single lap records and that’s it.
Even a euromillions win wouldn’t see this on my shopping list.
It’s not even that I’m an EV hater.
I’m probably just a misery guts.
Well done to them though.
To be fair, the Americans did do a fan car back in the seventies, the Chaparral 2J.
Will be interesting to see whether the Speirling is a one off electric fan car or it starts a trend, as McMurtry are a fairly small start up and they have managed this game changer, if the big boys decide to pursue this make you wonder how far it could go ?
If Porsche took what they have in the 919 Evo and added fans for example.
They arent going to be keen to not hold on to the record, be interesting to see via computer modelling whether the Speirling could beat it.
Will be interesting to see whether the Speirling is a one off electric fan car or it starts a trend, as McMurtry are a fairly small start up and they have managed this game changer, if the big boys decide to pursue this make you wonder how far it could go ?
If Porsche took what they have in the 919 Evo and added fans for example.
They arent going to be keen to not hold on to the record, be interesting to see via computer modelling whether the Speirling could beat it.
I think the most interesting thing about it from a bigger picture point of view is the way that using fan effect instead of wings is a low drag solution to downforce - low drag being of interest particularly to electric cars. With an ICE car, if you put a dirty big wing on it you just chuck more fuel into it, but with electric propulsion carrying more energy adds a lot more mass, costs more, takes longer to recharge. Of course not many road cars have a dirty big wing or any meaningful downforce, but some do.
TheMilkyBarKid said:
J4CKO said:
cerb4.5lee said:
Well done to everyone involved.
I absolutely adore battery powered cars for sure, and they're wonderful in my eyes. Just brilliant.
Ok, who has rebooted Lee and updated his firmware ? I absolutely adore battery powered cars for sure, and they're wonderful in my eyes. Just brilliant.
.
I thought that I'd go with a positive vibe this time instead, plus a little bit of tongue in cheek, because on the last thread...my criticism of it didn't seem to go down all that well in fairness.
cerb4.5lee said:
TheMilkyBarKid said:
J4CKO said:
cerb4.5lee said:
Well done to everyone involved.
I absolutely adore battery powered cars for sure, and they're wonderful in my eyes. Just brilliant.
Ok, who has rebooted Lee and updated his firmware ? I absolutely adore battery powered cars for sure, and they're wonderful in my eyes. Just brilliant.
.
I thought that I'd go with a positive vibe this time instead, plus a little bit of tongue in cheek, because on the last thread...my criticism of it didn't seem to go down all that well in fairness.
The system goes on-line August 4th, 1997. Human decisions are removed from strategic defense. Skynet begins to learn at a geometric rate. It becomes self-aware at 2:14 a.m. Eastern time, August 29th
SydneyBridge said:
Is there any track they would not be able to break the lap record? Seems invincible at the moment
As long as the pilot/driver can hold on long enough to get around the track
The ring because it wouldn't make a lap and likely most circuits where F1 cars go around. Especially ones from the mid 00's.As long as the pilot/driver can hold on long enough to get around the track
otolith said:
It would make a lap. The question is how hard they can drive it and still make the lap.
That is the point. This car is just a 1 lap wonder and for me that defeats the whole objective. A bit like drag cars for me are utterly pointless because they are useless at anything else. BricktopST205 said:
otolith said:
It would make a lap. The question is how hard they can drive it and still make the lap.
That is the point. This car is just a 1 lap wonder and for me that defeats the whole objective. A bit like drag cars for me are utterly pointless because they are useless at anything else. 
ks. SydneyBridge said:
Is there any track they would not be able to break the lap record? Seems invincible at the moment
As long as the pilot/driver can hold on long enough to get around the track
Most major racetracks as they're designed with higher top speeds in mind. Once an F1 or probably even a Hypercar gets into its aero range they'll be quite a bit faster.As long as the pilot/driver can hold on long enough to get around the track
They have been extremely picky on their record attempts for good reason.
PH article said:
a Case IH Steiger 620 Quadtrac tractor
For reference, here's a photo of that beast: 
You'll find many more photos, curated by the Laguna Seca track team, at the following link. Some on this forum will appreciate the diversity of vehicles: everything from 100+ year-old vintage cars to the work trucks that tow to and from the track.
https://www.instagram.com/weathertechraceway/?hl=e...
Also... A review of last year's event. See at end the photo gallery:
https://whatsupmonterey.com/article/monterey-car-w...
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