Lap Record

Bench racers and Engineers rejoice. I have a brain exercise for you to ponder.

The current lap record at Laguna Seca is 1 minute 5.88 seconds set by Sebastien Bourdais in 2007 in a Panoz Champ Car.

If you were going to engineer a car to beat it, cost is given no consideration. The only "rule" is that it be a car... ie, has four wheels on the ground, and a fifth for steering.

Who would drive it, what engine would power it, and what would it resemble?

To make the situation even more difficult, do you think it could be done within the SCCA's Solo II E Modified rules, and what would it take?

Basically, what car would you want if it's only goal were to annihilate overall track records?

For comparison, this is one of the nations quickest E modified cars. 3 rotor Mazda powered AH Sprite.

Money no object...this.

Dasia Sandero with a Veyron driveline, and some sort of KERS system.

Toyman01 wrote: Money no object...this.

/thread

Spend enough to develop a top fuel engine into something that could last that long and deal with varying throttle inputs and put it into an F1 style car with way more aerodynamics since the horsepower (and therefore drag) is basically unlimited in the name of downforce.

I would probably use the Honda V12 from Ayrton Senna's McLaren MP4/6. I would put that in a Stohr D Sports Racer. It would have 13inch OZ racing wheels with 12in wide Hoosiers at the back, and 13in OZ wheels with 10in wide Hoosiers at the front. Brakes would probably be 2 piston with Hawk pads. Shocks would be Penske double adjustables all around with Eibach springs: 700lb springs in the front and 800lbs in the rear.

Gordon Shedden, Leh Keen, Scott Pruett and Juan Pablo Montoya would beg me to drive it, so I guess I'd let them. But to make it go fast I'd have Vitaly Petrov drive it....yes, Vitaly Petrov.

Steven

With modern engine management and turbocharger tech.

Something with VTEC....and lotsa NOS.

I'd go with this, modernized engine components and electronics, with modern tires tech. I just like 'em.

I have always wanted to see a modern interpretation of 1970 Can Am rules...

In 1973, Mark Donohue's qualifying time at Laguna Seca 0:57.374, but maybe the track has been changed since then. I suspect that a 917-30 in qualifying trim on modern tires would still be the quickest car around the track.

loosecannon wrote: In 1973, Mark Donohue's qualifying time at Laguna Seca 0:57.374, but maybe the track has been changed since then. I suspect that a 917-30 in qualifying trim on modern tires would still be the quickest car around the track.

The track is about .4 miles longer now.

loosecannon wrote: In 1973, Mark Donohue's qualifying time at Laguna Seca 0:57.374, but maybe the track has been changed since then. I suspect that a 917-30 in qualifying trim on modern tires would still be the quickest car around the track.

Track was changed in 1988 because they wanted to host a round of the Motorcycle GP. They added the section from Turn 2 to Turn 5 to make the place long enough to suit the rules. It used to be straight through, instead of making that detour into what used to be the infield.

Only map of the original circuit I can find is over at racingsportscars.com, which doesn't allow hotlinking. So, here's a lap in the old Group 44 Jag GTP car from 1985.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9HITyw2jIw

found a pic.... looks like it was kind of boring expect for the corkscrew section

I wonder how much time could be gained in the corkscrew by using an active downforce system, like the Chaparral?

friedgreencorrado wrote:

loosecannon wrote: In 1973, Mark Donohue's qualifying time at Laguna Seca 0:57.374, but maybe the track has been changed since then. I suspect that a 917-30 in qualifying trim on modern tires would still be the quickest car around the track.

Track was changed in 1988 because they wanted to host a round of the Motorcycle GP. They added the section from Turn 2 to Turn 5 to make the place long enough to suit the rules. It used to be straight through, instead of making that detour into what used to be the infield. Only map of the original circuit I can find is over at racingsportscars.com, which doesn't allow hotlinking. So, here's a lap in the old Group 44 Jag GTP car from 1985. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9HITyw2jIw

Holy Carp! That track setup would have been WICKED fast. Without the Andretti hairpin, the last corner would really be the only slow part on the track and the average speed would be sky high.

Thanks for that Jay.

This - with modern engine management:

R500 is go?

WilberM3 wrote: found a pic.... looks like it was kind of boring expect for the corkscrew section

I can assure you it was FAR from boring...and does any does anyone remember the oak tree at the top of the corkscrew?

When I was at the historic races there a few years ago, Toyota brought one of the their F1 cars out for a run at the lap record. I guess its been surpassed by now. I am guessing that any top tier F1 or champ car team configuring wings and such without a rule set confining them could get under that record.

triumph5 wrote: I can assure you it was FAR from boring...and does any does anyone remember the oak tree at the top of the corkscrew?

yea, boring was probably the wrong word... just reminds me of lime rock where all the corners but one go one direction. i suppose the tremendous speed would make it interesting.

was there a peculiarly not removed oak tree up there?

WilberM3 wrote:

triumph5 wrote: I can assure you it was FAR from boring...and does any does anyone remember the oak tree at the top of the corkscrew?

yea, boring was probably the wrong word... just reminds me of lime rock where all the corners but one go one direction. i suppose the tremendous speed would make it interesting. was there a peculiarly not removed oak tree up there?

IIRC, that oak tree was always on the outside of the track, behind the run-off area and the barriers. It is/was (maybe replaced by other trees) used as a sighting-point for drivers approaching the Corkscrew. And those trees are growing from an area 20'-30' below track level.

It's not unlike the trees used by drivers setting-up their entrance at the 'Ring's Karoussel.

For funsies? Gas turbine, independent electric motors for each wheel (mounted inboard, of course), vacuum downforce with some sort of computer trickery so it shuts off in the straights.

The 100 pound brains can work out the rest.

there's a tree like that at Mont-Tremblant going over the blind turn 2 apex, when youre learning the track just aim for the white bitch tree and you'll be in the right spot