Will this make my car lighter, for track days

[audiman]

I have just read an interesting post on the scooby forum, and someone was talking about the weight of the air in his tyres. If he let the tyres down would it reduce the overall weight.

So that got me thinking......

If I were to completely seal the S2 up and run a vacuum pump to withdrawl all the air from inside the cabin, could this give me a weight advantage for track days? I could have a small oxygen tank for breathing.

Any comments would be helpful.

[Lee]

I have no helpful comments!

[audiman]

Thanks a lot

[s2avant]

The oxygen tank would negate the gains made from removing all the air.

Instead if you were to install a tube through which you could breath then you could take fulll advantage the air free interior.

Following the same idea, if you were on the track in the summer you could also install a water tube fed from the supply of fresh water in your rear lamps to prevent dehydration.

Taking it a step further, if you were entering endurance events then you could include a pampers light weight racing nappy to take care of calls of nature.

The rest of us could provide support and encouragement to drive faster by throwing old fruit and balloons full of paint at your windows.

Hold on, I think I've stumbled on David Blaines next ridiculous stunt.

Ben

[s2avant]

I wonder, if I was to do the same to my avant would I be faster than you because I've got more air space? Hence I would save more weight.

Ben

[s2avant]

Hans Christian Anderson wrote a story about two tailors who made an emperor some new clothes. From what I remember it was like he wasn't wearing anything. I wonder if they could make a racing suit from the same material? That would be very light.

Ben

[Lee]

[s2avant]

perhaps you could replace the air with wind?

It would have to be blowing in the right direction though or it could make you slower.

Ben

[audiman]

Originally posted by s2avant
I wonder, if I was to do the same to my avant would I be faster than you because I've got more air space? Hence I would save more weight.

Ben

Damn avant drivers always trying to get one over on us coupe drivers. I might remove the valve caps on the tyres to try and save a bit more weight.

PS I like the racing nappy idea, may have to carry some in the car for passengers(once it goes faster than a metro)

[s2avant]

I think I may have been looking at this too technically.

It's obvious when you think about it.

Just drive round the track with the tailgate open and the blowers on full. That way all the air will be pushed out of the back.

Ta da, one lightened track car.

Ben

[audiman]

Thats the best idea yet!! It will also help with large amounts of downforce keeping the back end on the track. You wait until combe next year and i will be doing the Ben 'lightweight' mod.

[audiman]

Just had a thought should I have the heater on hot or cold air? cold air is denser so im thinking use it on hot? Lighter air!!

[Lee]

Make sure you prop the tailgate open. You would not want it closing on you at high speed negating all of the benefits of having it open in the first place.

[s2avant]

I've been thinking about this. Cold air is denser so you'd be best to save that for the engine. Have them on hot, that way you can increase engine cooling at the same time.

Ben

[Mark Halligan]

Gentleman please,
in your enthusiasm for this ground breaking idea you have over looked the obvious alternative to vacuum within the cars interior.
As pointed out by our esteemed cousins on the scooby forum, surely it would far more advantageous to fill the interior with helium this would be far kinder on the driver as I believe absolute vacuum would be conducive to leaking blood vessels, and surely it is somewhat difficult to concentrate ones mind upon the task in hand whilst bleeding from the corners of ones eyes?
You should of course keep the air/refreshment pipe to the hapless driver, and if one wished the occasional lung full of Helium might indeed be tempting, particularly if one was wearing a nappy type racing suit at the time, as the vocal effects would surely complete the overall theme as it were?

Just some thoughts, I look for to hearing of your progress in the near future, with regard to your brave new venture Tom.


My most excellent regards,

Mark.