Comments for

Comment on Keeping Racecars on the Racetrack by Gary

Gary — Sat, 11 May 2013 14:07:13 +0000

Great post Diandra. NASCAR is one of the few sports where a reporter can stick a mic in the face of a participant and ask inane questions. Matt Kenseth is one of the best at answering in a respectful way but showing how ridiculous is the question. Totally agree with your opinion regarding NASCAR’s response. People make the product. No respect for the people, no respect for the product. That is obvious from conversations and online critics. Increasingly I’m meeting fans who are interested in the technical aspects of racing. I’ve given them this site.

Comment on A Quick Post on Why Cars Go Airborne by Gary Wilt

Gary Wilt — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:02:35 +0000

Great demonstration Diandra. Clearly understood and I have only a minor degree in Mechanical Engineering. If a driver holds a major degree in ME, looks like he would understand also. !!!

Comment on Air Titan: It Sucks and Blows by Jack

Jack — Wed, 08 May 2013 04:48:49 +0000

Not trying to change the subject, but have you seen the IBM movie made with atoms? Also, just started reading your book. I realize it was published in 2008, but it’s still very informative. Have you thought about publishing a revised edition? Thanks for your time D.

Comment on Why You Can’t Judge How Dark it is on Television by diandra

diandra — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:43:07 +0000

They probably could have done that – you still have the issue that the CCDs are more sensitive than our eyes are. I think tweaking with Photoshop, however, takes you into the definite realm of no-nos in terms of the network. Manipulating anything with photoshop can land you in really hot water – even if your intentions are honorable. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!

Comment on Why You Can’t Judge How Dark it is on Television by stevesturm (@stevesturm)

stevesturm (@stevesturm) — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:20:07 +0000

Wouldn’t freezing the f-stop allow Fox to illustrate how dark it is? They could have shown what it looked like at 4PM using a given f-stop, then shown the track at 8ish using the same f-stop to show how much darker it was? I’m guessing the cameras have a manual override, it not, they could have tweaked the picture using whatever their version of Photoshop.

Comment on Air Titan: It Sucks and Blows by diandra

diandra — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:48:58 +0000

The amount of water you’re dealing with on a wet track is very large compared to the amount of fluid dropped on the track from a car or two.

You’d need a huge amount of sorbent, and after it’s done its job, it’s going to be wet and heavy and hard to remove from the track. I’m not a fan of blowing stuff off the track with the jet dryers – that’s just asking for someone to get their eyes blasted with fine particulate matter. I remember being in the garage at Martinsville and having oil-dry blowing all over. Breathing the stuff isn’t very good for you, I’m sure. With the water absorbent, you could collect it, but then you’d have a disposal problem.

Oil-dry works for small, limited spills. I’m afraid the concept wouldn’t work when you’re talking about clearing the entire track.

Thanks for taking the time to comment

Comment on Air Titan: It Sucks and Blows by Gary Wilt

Gary Wilt — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:18:21 +0000

Has any research been done on a water-absorbing material, similar to “oil-dry” (kitty litter) that could be spread on a wet track then vacuumed up. Blowing it off with jet dryers doesn’t sound wise. Obviously whatever material was used could not leave a hint of residue unless it increased tire grip.

Comment on Why Drying Tracks Takes So Long by Dennis

Dennis — Sun, 05 May 2013 16:06:34 +0000

Always wondered why the jet dryers didn’t have some sort of low profile box like where the Air Titan nozzles reside that would help hold the heat an extra second or two. Or even just spread out the blast so more of it made contact with the asphalt. I know it would be a bit of a trick engineering wise to handle the temperatures so you didn’t melt the box or the pavement but that’s why we have engineers. ;)

Comment on Why You Don’t Mess With Fuel Cell Foam by Gary

Gary — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 15:05:37 +0000

Tires, fuel, and engines are the “sacred cows” of NASCAR. My opinion is at odds with Larry McReynolds and Darrell Waltrip, two very knowledgeable, highly respected men. They say the appeal panel will not reduce fines, suspensions, etc. I’m thinking the public outcry may have some effect. To me its possible NASCAR is “firing one over the bow” to let everyone know, you don’t’ mess with engines, regardless of the logistics or who should have caught the illegal part. I’m confident TRD will pay all fines (then subrogate their European connecting rod supplier). I fully expect Jason’s suspension to be reduced. In summary, I believe Mike Helton and Robin Pemberton intend to put the fear of God in engine builders, crew chiefs, etc that should discourage any hijinks with engines, tires, or fuel.

Comment on Appearances by diandra

diandra — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:38:57 +0000

Mary Ann: I wrote an entire book, called The Physics of NASCAR, which should be available in your local library that has the information your grandson probably needs. If he has specific questions after he’s read that, I’d be happy to answer them.