Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[cameraman]

The FIA is testing cockpit canopys with a view to adding them to F1 cars in the future to improve safety.

F-16 style cockpit might be safer, re Massa's accident, but it would fundamentally change the sport.

[opinionated ow]

they had so better not...that's absolutely the last straw. if i want to see f16s driving, i'll watch land speed records.

[Insomniac]

Ohhh geez. I imagine this goes the way of the split rear wing...

[Gnam]

F1 Technical Working Group preliminary designs:


http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/7237/homercomplexcar.jpg

[Michaelhatesfans]

No doubt it will imporove the aerodynamics to the point that they will have to bring in yet another stupid rule to slow the cars back down.:\

[stroker]

And next, the EJECTOR SEATS!

Why not just hire Professor Fate to do the damned things?

[racer2c]

Your thread title is missing a 'y'.

[IlliniRacer]

Is Franklin Ratliff the new F1 Technical Director?

[emjaya]

Video of test. (http://vimeo.com/26098946)

Henry Surtees.

[opinionated ow]

why not just put a roll cage on? The Hoosiers did it when they turned f1 cars into mid engined sprintcars...i'll find a pic when i get home

edit: Not an F1 car in this pic but rather a Huffaker Indycar:
http://motorcaster.com/resc/resc2.jpg

[opinionated ow]

They did mention this a few years ago and all the F1 drivers voted overwhelmingly to reject it.

[Insomniac]

Video of the test:

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/17/fia-tests-fighter-jet-canopy-for-use-in-formula-1/

[Indy]

It's a matter of time before they take the driver out of the car.

[NismoZ]

Interesting how things come back for reappraisal. We discussed this very thing YEARS ago on 7th Gear. Nobody liked it then either and many mocked it but a few (:)) believed it deserved a serious look...someday. I remember the Stirling Moss attitude toward roll bars when his Lotus 19 couldn't pass safety inspection when he came over for the Riverside and Laguna races in the early 60s. Pretty sure he changed his mind as time went on. Perhaps we could be facing a similar situation here? Mention was made of Surtees, how about Mike Spence? :(

[NismoZ]

And...though there may not be a valid comparison between F-1 cars and F-1 Tunnel Boats, I did not notice a drop in enthusiasm on my part when the boats moved to a full canopy. Have you stopped watching LeMans because of the coupe designs? I know even that may not be a valid comparison, but I wonder how things might have turned out differently for Rocky.

[pchall]

F-16 style cockpit might be safer, re Massa's accident, but it would fundamentally change the sport.

F1 Champboats use canopies because they regularly get big air under the hull and flip a Dibley. The Irl should probably mandate these for their oval events.

[pchall]

Is Franklin Ratliff the new F1 Technical Director?

LOL Almost forgot about that idiot.

[NismoZ]

Poor Franklin. At least he engendered "spirited" replies. Was BE's suggestion for sprinklers to produce "rain" races any more sane? Maybe Bernie lurked @ 7G!:eek: