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Old 03-18-2006, 10:48 PM   #4
sameerrao
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: TX
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Well the car's weight distribution is a closely guarded figure. But occasionally, we get a glimpse of the distribution when the cars are lifted by the cranes when the drivers get stuck in the kitty litter.

Typically the cars will lean backward indicating a rear heavy distribution, but I do recall seing a couple cars that leaned forward which is amazing considering the engine, gearbox and fuel tank are all behind the driver. How they achieve this is by using lead ballast up front to compensate the masses at the rear. That's where millions of dollars go in lightening all the car components so they can attach the heavy ballast just above the carbon floor for the lowest CoG.

Note: the weight bias is an active part of the design and if I remember it was Williams back in 2004 (when they had the ugly tusks) that had too much weight up front causing the drivers issues on turn in. It took some time before this issue was fixed
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