"Computer simulations and the seven-post shaker rig (a machine that simulates suspension dynamics) are far more reliable in determining what a racecar needs" (Reid Spencer) than any suggestions a driver might make to his crew chief about what to do with an ill-handling car.
When did this exactly become new news? They have been doing this with the now out dated race cars they were using up to, and including, the last race of the year. A seven post shaker is one of the reasons DEI scooped up Ginn racing in the first place. And what car were they using it on? Not just the CoT that's for sure. Penske has had his seven-poster now for a few years, long before the CoT was in existence.
With each new change in equipment comes an adjustment period for everyone in the sport, all the way from the owners to the drivers and everyone in-between. This is just another one of those shifts in the accustomed paradigm. Everyone will get adjusted and the drivers will learn how to work, and recommend changes to their cars within the system, it will just take time.
They have quoted Greg Biffle as saying, "Whatever the computer says, whatever the seven-post shaker rig says is the best set of shocks, by God, it's the best set of shocks -- period. I've only found a couple of times where I've found a shock a LITTLE bit better than what the seven-post said, but I can't beat it."
Hmm ... isn't that what a bunch of you were wishing for a couple of years ago? To get a handle on your car before you get to the track so you can just tweak it a bit instead of trying to make the race with a bad set-up?
Jack Roush says, "Myself and all the drivers I know think two- or three-dimensionally. They certainly can't think four- or five-dimensionally. They can't go back and figure what the net effect will be of making the four changes that need to be made at the time. That has taken it out of the hands of the driver, not from the point of view of providing the information that's required, but from making the determination of what to do."
So what does this exactly have to do with the CoT anyway? Nothing. This technology (post-shakers, computer sim programs, etc.) would exist with or without the CoT. They have been using this technology on the old car and would still be using it next year even if the CoT wasn't around.
by 4ever3 on Nov 26, 2007 8:59 PM EST
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