Massive G's - Texas Motor Speedway 2001

[R. Pare]

For those who didn't know the details of what was happening there in 2001 - 6.52 g's ( combination of vertical and lateral) with little to no recovery time:

https://racer.com/2021/04/30/inside-...e-the-lead-up/

https://racer.com/2021/05/01/inside-...isible-monster


Part 3 tomorrow.

[Bardahl77]

Yeah, Steve Olvey covered that in his book Rapid Response. Scary, and all the idiots that called them cowards should try riding a carnival Roundup while trying to play a video game. See how long before they puke and pass out.

[R. Pare]

https://racer.com/2021/05/02/inside-...ilent-running/

[dalz]

Pure folly by CART. They wanted to show up the IRL at the track where they put on their showcase races. Rahal brought Kenny Brack there in a cold December test to do a few cursory laps and they said, yeah yeah it's alright.

I watched the qualifying show late Saturday night. The in-car shots looked like a sci-fi video game. I couldn't wrap my head around 22-second laps on a 1.5mi. oval. There was no indication of trouble other than some drivers saying they never experienced g-loads like that. I figured, well they're going so wicked fast it won't be pack race, it might be safe....

They had an Indy Lights race on Saturday that went off with just a couple accidents without major problems.

[TimH]

Sounds like the whole thing just demonstrated the weakness of the CART business model.

[dalz]

They couldn't make changes to the engines or cars because they were afraid to anger any of their suppliers. There was nobody in leadership who had the stones to say, we're gonna cut boost, add wing, practice with it Sunday morning, and fercryin'outloud put on a race and get through the weekend! I know it was a different spot but to announce they're canceling as fans are pouring in seems like the worst possible failure.