Since the convention is nearing its end, my blogging on this subject is also nearing a conclusion. Today’s entry highlights another very popular event, the autocross. Scott Trunkhill again came through with a load of photos that he had posted on his website, and I eagerly rifled through them hoping to find the perfect shot for today’s CPotD. While certainly never able to compete for FTD (fast time of the day) against the cars, FCs make for extremely entertaining autocross runs. Given their high center of gravity, they are the most likely to lift a wheel under sharp turning and hard braking. There must not have been many entered in this year’s event since I was only able to find one Greenbrier out of the dozens of cars Scott photographed. The above photo shows how the trailing-arm suspension allows the rear wheel to drop adversely affecting camber. I’ve read about the self-preservation the FC suspension provides. When a driving maneuver causes the vehicle to dramatically tip, one of the rear wheels leaves the pavement and the other rear wheel, with all the side load, then slides out to right the vehicle.
On the web, there are a number of images of FCs three-wheeling. I can’t imagine how scary this must feel.
WHAT?
ReplyDeleteOK, so why don't I autocross my grandfather's 1954 Ford F-100? Take any car out of its context and there is plenty to complain about. Nobody really examined the handling of the 1960 Ford Falcon because there was no money in it. BUT, take any Corvair or any van variant of a Corvair, and show a wheel in the air, and VOILA', a Ralph Nader book. What has Nader given us over the years except an intellectual dilettante who makes money off the fringe by trying to make the mainstream afraid?
Hey Bill,
ReplyDeleteSettle down...
jesus.
Funny thing is Ralph didn't attack the FCs, just the cars. Also, it's not unusual to see a track car (of any make) with only three wheels off the ground.
ReplyDelete