OK, i have a report to do, but i need help for it. i'm doing a research paper for english on the ways that racing helps 'normal' driving. such as VTEC was used for the E-VTEC (shutting off one intake valve, using less gas), or stuff like the tread designs and rubber and wires used in tires. anything and everything would be helpful.

 

racing schools have helped me in dangerous situations on the streets

 

I'm guessing that not a lot of racing technology makes its way into the depths of consumer automobiledom. Even the rarity that does, only makes its way in part, not in whole. The race track is mostly an experimental testing and proving grounds for such technology. The exotic materials and procedures needed to produce those products and results are far too expensive for the consumer market to shoulder. Take for example: Carbon Fiber...the only transition CF has made into the consumer market is the sorry, half-assed application unto interior trim. Novel maybe, but hardly an impressive result. Let's face it...most technology used on the track is far too limited in its range of usage to be very applicable to the street. Maybe it used to filter down a long time ago, but it's not very common place nowadays. Steel radials maybe?

Ferrari has probably made the best of filtering down the tech. The F355 F1 uses F1 sequential gear shift technology. Five valves per cylinder heads also made its way down to the F355. But, this is just one company...even more so, it's a company that makes cars that 99% of the US's population can't and won't be able to afford. Other car makers just don't seem to cut it in the trickling down of technology.

 

In addition to VTEC and sequential gearboxes (which Honda also has, amongst others), what about traction control? Active suspension? Paddle gear shifts, ABS? I think there's more racing-developed technology on todays cars than you give credit for.

There's also the application of principles as well as technology...aerodynamics for example. And many safety features have been implemented as well...did you know former F1 driver Jackie Stewart first conceived of the airbag? The list goes on.

LX02

"But Lisa...just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand!" -Homer J. Simpson

 

Thanks guys, i know i'm still a new guy, but i've been watchin this board for a while. i don't talk much. thanks again

 

ABS was actually used on commercial airplanes first and then used on cars.