Just curious why the tint all the pro rally cars and why silver? Also why do they all miss a spot in the lower corner nearest the sideview mirror?

Seems to me that you only see tint like that at the rallies like Africa and Greece where it's always damn hot and sunny. Got to keep the cars somewhat cool inside. (I wonder how McRae gets away with driving in shorts and t-shirt?)

Also the cutout near the mirror is just so it's easier to see them. The chrome tint is pretty dark from the inside looking out!

They use the "Silver" tint, because it allows them to check that they don't have helmet hair. They look in the reflection on the window before signing autographs.
http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gifhttp://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gifhttp://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif

Just joking.

Mike

Silver tint will reflect the rays rather than filtering them and that equates to a happier cooler driver.

I wonder how McRae gets away with driving in shorts and t-shirt?)

The FIA allowed this after last years Acropolis rally when so many drivers suffered from dehydration

Oh we Co-drivers are fine with heat coz we we normally sip on Daquiris on most stages http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif

Richard

It's simple. They use mirror tint because it is badass!
adamsrs www.unnatural.org (http://www.unnatural.org)

The driver also gets liquid cooled driving suit (sometimes)

I'd figured if they were going at that speed, they would've received alot of air rushing in... So how many cupholders are there in a WRC cars rqsuire?! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif

There aren't any cupholders in the WRC cars, they use camelbacks... http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/tongue.gif

-myk

I'd figured if they were going at that speed, they would've received alot of air rushing in... So how many cupholders are there in a WRC cars rqsuire?!

well remember that they have to have their windows closed (or maybe the rally cars windows dont even open) because (im guessing) open windows create more drag, and because its not safe to be open to the elements (dust and sand on the safari/grece type events, snow on sweden etc) so they just have that little roof vent thing to vent air into the cars ...

Less "Solar" resistance! +10hp http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

...I'm such a dork http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/tongue.gif

Anyone currently working on or around rally-cars should correct me on this, but the last time I was around a modified (as oppposed to "show room stock") rally car, I noticed that the glass is removed from the side windows and replaced with a lighter material, which I believe was, or is similar to plexi-glass. The window mechanism for raising and lowering was removed for weight savings, and perhaps because the plexi-glass or whatever material it was can be easily scratched.

I believe that is why you find the roof vents, and sometimes little NASA style in-let vents on the side windows on rally-cars. I noticed a sliding opening on the driver's and/or navigator's windows to accept time tickets or whatever, but it wasn't a large opening.

Finally, in general, there is an aerodynamic penalty (extra turbulence http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/frown.gif) for running with windows rolled down, which would also help to explain the use of small vents, vs. open windows.

Actually, believe it or not, I have video footage of the Peugeot 206 WRC that shows it still has power windows. In the footage you see Gronholm rolling up the window, and he clearly isnt cranking it.
I couldn't believe it when I saw that so I rewound it a few times and sure enough it was a power window.
Odd huh?

Mike

FIA rules are kinda strange in that they cars have to use the stock glass. Doesnt seem right, but thats the rules. Its mostly i think to make sure that people arent shaving the roofs of the cars, etc, and if they are, not very much. The material you are talking about that is "Plexi-Glass" like, is called Lexan. Its a non-shattering plastic compound. Its been used for years. And its the primary material for R/C bodys. FIA rules also say the windows must be sealed to keep debris out of the car. Mostly where you see the Lexan windows are on SCCA Pro-Rally cars, as well as F2 kitcars, and RAID cars.

The silver window tint is there, as stated by others, to reflect the suns rays off of the drivers to help keep the cars cool. Aditional cooling comes from the roof vent(s) on the car. And if you look on cars like Evolution, and now the WRX, with 4 doors, they have a small spacer that fits in between the rear window, and the top of the door jam, that allows for air circulation in the car. As well as having some cold air cooling devices, such as a mobile "swamp cooler" on the roof vent (ive seen Subaru run these before), and small bolt on A/C units.
Heres a good shot of the rear window spacer.
WARNING!!!: IMAGE IS LARGE!!! DIAL-UP USERS BEWARE!!! http://www.mitsubishi-motors.co.jp/motorsports/99wrc_e/safari/img/lib/mak3_5mo.jpg

Th reason for the corner cut out ont he front windows is for visibility reasons. The mirrors obviously arent used during the special stages. But are used for the transit stages, on public roads. If there was the reflective coating all the way across the windows, it would be near impossible to see anything in the mirroer, as the reflective coating would reflect into the mirror, bluring any image, and blinding the driver. Er...does that make sence? Imagine if you will how light reflects off of your mirors when driving at night. Now reverse imagine the window tint doing the same thing, and reflecting off the mirror directly into your face. You would see nothing in the mirror, and be blinded in the process. So for safty reasons, if you remove the reflective coating from the vissable portion of the mirror, you can see clearly out with no blinding reflections. But if you notice, that portion of the window, is still heavily tinted, just not reflective.

edit: Driving suits. If the tempature and humidity reaches a certain point, the FIA mandates that drivers not wear their driving suits for safty and health reasons. Thats why you see drivers driving their cars in shorts and a T-shirts. They also have lighter breathable helmets that they wear too, to help cool them down better. Ive never heard of them wearing a water cooled suit before though. So i cant dispute, or confirm that comment.

Hope ive cleared some things up.

[This message has been edited by Buck-O (edited April 17, 2001).]

As far as dehydration, I notice the Camelbak hoses whipping around during car rollovers.

Kee-rist Buck-o, what is that? A life-size picture? It does have everything in it though, the tint, the window vent. Where's it from?

tis a small picture if your runing at anything over 1280 X 920 resolution http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif i am at 1600 X 12 sumthing right now..and that is low res http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/lol.gif

anyhow i love the look of reflective tint and it does it's job..and lexan windoes are going in my auto-x/track car for *cough* saftey..yeah..that's it..saftey NOT weight, no matter what any one says http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

Also the tint is only allowed on the Safari & Acropolis stage, last time I checked. As for what looks like camelback hoses whipping aroung that is most likely the comminication lines running from the amplifires to the helmet units.

Regards,

Dante
Primm Motorsports www.primmracing.com (http://www.primmracing.com)

Haha, i warned you it was big! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/rolleyes.gif

I think they do have some sort of of fuild consumption for Safari, becuase of the long stages. And if i remember correctly they are trying to get the same things for the acropolis rally as well, because even though the stages are shorter, they are rougher, and more technical, causing the driver to sweat more from stress, and its no uncommon for drivers to colapse getting out of their cars after a stage. The Groupe-N guys got it lucky though...built in cup holder. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif
Most of what you see falling around the inside of the car during a roll over is the pace not book, and the intercom wires. The hydration systems in the Safari rally are preaty obvious when you see them.
The tinting is only allowed for Safari, Acropolis, and now Cypris.
The image that i posted earlier was from the 1999 Safari Rally. If you look closly at the URL, you can tell that. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

Hey Rsquire how do you fit a Daquiri into a camelback?

Where can you find this tint? Anybody have a good source?

Thanks

Andrew http://www.eurosportrally.com

Hey I've always wonder this and the drinking comments made me think of it again.

How do they pee? Do they just hold it or what?

pee, no
sweat, yes http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif