DICIONARIO FORD MOTORSPORT

Ford Motorsport Glossary Active Differential Computer-controlled differential used in World Rally that distributes engine's power to those tires with best grip to maximize performance. Aero Abbreviation commonly used when referring to the all-important science of aerodynamics. Aero Push When following another vehicle closely, the airflow off the lead vehicle does not travel across the following one(s) in a normal manner. Therefore, downforce on the front of the trailing vehicle(s) is decreased and it does not turn in the corners as well, resulting in an "aero push." This condition is more apparent on the exit of the turns. Aerodynamic Drag A number that is a coefficient of several factors that indicates how well a race vehicle will travel through the air with how much resistance. Crewmen work to get the best "drag horsepower" rating they can, determining how much horsepower it will take to move a vehicle through the air at a certain mile-per-hour rate. At faster speedways teams strive to get the lowest drag number possible for higher straightaway speeds. Aerodynamics The science of understanding different forces acting on a moving element in gasses such as air. The application of this study to racing is credited with much of the sport's recent progress as teams learn more about drag, air turbulence and downforce. Air Foil In NHRA racing, the same as a wing - a stabilizer, generally used to create downforce, which increases stability and tire-to-track adherence at high speeds. Air Pressure Mechanics can adjust a car's handling by increasing or decreasing air pressure in the tires. Flex in the sidewall of a tire acts like another spring in the suspension. Increasing the air pressure makes the overall spring rate stiffer, while lowering the pressure will make it softer. This adjustment can be made much more quickly and easily than changing a spring on a shock. Air Wrench This tool uses compressed air to quickly remove wheel nuts on contact. A crew member proficient with the air wrench can save a team valuable seconds on a pit stop. Also referred to as an air gun or impact gun. Angle Of Attack The angle of an Indy car style wing, the angle is varied from track to track to produce optimal downforce and minimize drag. Anti-Lag World Rally electronic engine management program that reduces the normal delay in turbocharger response to a minimum. Anti-Roll Bar A bar linking suspension parts which can be adjusted to alter handling characteristics to compensate for tire wear and varying fuel loads. Apex Often heard in NASCAR and Champ Car World Series, the apex is the geometric inside center point in a corner where a car is closest to the inside edge of the track. Drivers try to "hit" the apex to take the straightest line and maintain maximum speed. See also early apex and late apex. Armco Steel material forming barriers designed to prevent NASCAR and Champ Car World Series vehicles from leaving race tracks similar to highway applications. Asphalt Settings The suspension adjustments made to optimise the handling of a World Rally car for smooth surfaced special stages. Atmo Engines Engines that use natural, atmospheric air flow as opposed to forced induction. NASCAR, Formula One and NHRA Pro Stock cars use "atmo" engines while Champ Car World Series and NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car engines have forced induction. Back Out When a driver takes his foot off the gas pedal (all the way or part way), he "backs out" or "lifts off." Backmarker Cars running near the back of the field. Balaclava Fire resistant headgear worn under a helmet by a driver to protect their face and neck. Banking On oval tracks, the corners are often tilted inward to provide faster speeds. On some road courses, certain turns may actually be banked outward, a very difficult type of corner known as "off-camber." BITD Abbreviation of Best in the Desert, an off-road racing series in the Western United States. Black Box Unlike those recording devices in airplanes, a race car's black box contains high-tech electrical systems, which control most engine functions. More technically referred to as the Engine Electronic Controls, the Engine Control Unit or the Engine Management System. Black Flag Flag waved by the starter to signal a driver that they must immediately report to the pits for consultation related to a dangerous mechanical condition or a driving infraction. Failure to heed the flag can result in exclusion from the final results of the event. This flag may also be displayed in a rolled-up manner as a warning. Corner workers may also display a black flag if the session has been halted by the display of a red flag by the starter. Blister Excessive heat can make a tire literally blister and shed rubber. Drivers can detect the problem by the resulting vibrations and risk more serious damage if they choose not to pit. Blocking NASCAR and Champ Car World Series racing term for changing position on the track to prevent drivers behind from passing. Blocking is accepted if a car is defending position in the running order but considered unsportsmanlike if lapped cars hold up more competitive teams. Blow Up Irreparable engine failure ends a racer's day. Blue Flag Flag displayed by corner workers around the track to signal to a driver a faster car is either approaching (steady flag) or attempting a pass (waved flag). The driver being flagged has no obligation to do anything other than be alert, maintain the racing line and avoid intentionally obstructing the faster car. Boost The amount of pressure generated by a turbocharger or supercharger on a Champ Car World Series vehicle as it forces the air/fuel mixture into a forced induction engine. Brake Balance Knob Cockpit control that allows World Rally driver to alter amount of braking effort between front and rear wheels. Brickyard Nickname given to the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which, although paved now, used to have an entire brick surface. The track hosts NASCAR's Brickyard 400. Burn Off Burning fuel during the course of a race. As fuel is burned, the car becomes lighter and its handling characteristics change, challenging the driver and crew to make adjustments to achieve balance. Burned Piston When a cylinder in an NHRA racer runs lean (too much air in the air-to-fuel mixture) and excessive heat burns or melts the piston. Burnout Spinning the rear tires in water to heat and clean them prior to a run for better traction in NHRA races. A burnout precedes every run. Camber The angle that wheels are tilted inward or outward from vertical. If the top of the wheel is tilted inward, the camber is negative. CART Championship Auto Racing Teams Inc. acronym, the sanctioning organization for the Champ Car World Series. Center Of Pressure The point on a Champ Car World Series car underwing that receives the greatest amount of airflow pressure. This measurement is critical to setting front to rear balance, especially on superspeedways. Chassis The basic structure of a race car to which all other components are attached. Champ Car World Series cars have carbon-fiber monocoque "tubs" while a NASCAR stock car has a steel tube frame chassis. Checkered Flag Black and white checkerboard-style flag signifies the end of a race. Chicane An "S"-like track configuration in NASCAR and Champ Car World Series, generally designed on a fast portion of a track to slow cars. Also referred to as "esses" or a "switchback." Christmas Tree Also called the Tree, it is the noticeable electronic starting device between the lanes on the starting line of NHRA races. It displays a calibrated-light countdown for each driver. Chunking A softer compound rain tire will shed pieces of rubber if a track becomes too dry. Circuit Any race track. Also refers to the entire slate of races on a season schedule. Circulating Driving around a track with a damaged and/or slow car to accumulate laps and, more important, points and prize money. Clean Air When a car is running by itself on the track, it's in "clean air" because other cars do not disturb the air. Also, see dirty air. Clipping Minor contact between race cars, also often refers to hitting precisely, or "clipping," the apex of a turn. Closed-wheel Cars Production-based race vehicles such as NASCAR stock cars are examples of closed-wheel cars with the suspension; wheels and tires are mostly covered by the body, as opposed to open-wheel "formula" cars. Clutch Can The bell-shaped housing, or bellhousing, used to encase the clutch and flywheel on NHRA vehicles. Clutch Lookup In NHRA racing, the progression of clutch-disc engagement controlled by an air-timer management system. Cockpit The driver sits in this are of a race car. Cold Pits There is no racing activity on the track and the pits are open to people other than team members and racing officials. Combinations Combinations of engine, gearing, suspension, aerodynamic parts, and wheel and tire settings which teams forecast will work under varying conditions and tracks. These combinations (also known as setups) are recorded and used as baselines when teams arrive at a track. Compound In some series, teams can choose their rubber blend for tires based on the track and weather conditions. A softer compound tire provides better traction but wears out much faster than a harder compound tire, which doesn't provide as much grip. Constructors' Championship The equivalent of a Manufacturers' Championship, an award for the cars' builders. Corner Worker NASCAR or Champ Car World Series volunteers who staff corners to notify drivers of any dangerous situations in the area. Cosworth Engine manufacturing company that has cooperatively developed racing motors with Ford for many years. Named after co-founders Mike Costain and Keith Duckworth. Cross-Thread On the NASCAR and Champ Car World Series circuits: stripping of the wheel stud threads when crew members hurriedly refasten lug nuts. This can be more devastating in Champ Car racing as each wheel has only one center nut/thread combination, which, if damaged, necessitates a pit pass before more severe consequences take place. CTS Abbreviation of of NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series. DAG Champ Car World Series acronym for "Data Acquisition Geek," a computer expert who maintains a team's Data Acquisition system and analyzes the data. Teams use sophisticated sensors, transmitters, computers and software to provide information regarding the car and the driver actions, or inaction. Everything from engine stress to the driver's heartbeat can be monitored. The information is analyzed to improve handling, performance and even driver technique. Data can be acquired by connecting a computer to the car or by wireless telemetry. Deep Stage To roll a few inches farther into the beams after NHRA-race staging, which causes the pre-stage lights to go out. In that position, a driver is closer to the finish line but dangerously close to a foul start. Dialing In This refers to the driver and crew making setup adjustments to achieve the car's optimum handling characteristics. Diaper An absorbent blanket made from ballistic material, often Kevlar that surrounds the oil pan to contain oil and parts in case of an engine explosion; required for Funny Car and Champ Car World Series cars. Diffusor The bodywork at the rear underside of the car that controls underbody airflow as it leaves the back of the car. A good diffuser generates significant downforce. Dirty Air The turbulence created in the wake of other race cars. At high speeds, following closely behind another car can disrupt downforce. A car following closely often will suffer understeer as a result. Ditch-Hooking World Rally driving style which places the inside front wheel over the road-side ditch. DNF Did not finish. DNQ Did not qualify. DNS Did not start. Downforce The downward force generated as air flows around a moving object. Champ Car World Series series vehicles use wings, while NASCAR vehicles use rear-end spoilers to create downforce. The ground-effects tunnels underneath the car also provide downforce, creating a vacuum that sucks the car to the track. Increased downforce also results in increased drag, which slows a car down. Draft Airflow creates a low-pressure air pocket (or draft) behind moving objects. Most notably in NASCAR, drivers try to follow opponents closely enough to enter their draft and produce a "towing" effect known as "being in the slipstream." That's right, the car creating the draft actually pulls the pursuing driver, who can ease off the throttle and save gas. Driver's Championship Points are awarded at each race based on finishing position. The driver accumulating the most points by the end of the season wins the drivers' championship. A similar award system is used by most major series for a manufacturers' championship. Drop Limiter Electronic device that controls suspension travel, assuring conformity to mandated limits. Drop The Hammer Means a driver puts the pedal to the metal. Dropped Cylinder When an NHRA vehicle's cylinder runs too rich (too much fuel in the air/fuel mixture) and prevents the spark plug(s) from firing. Dry Line Because of more frequent driver use after rain, this clear line develops on NASCAR and Champ Car World Series tracks. Dry Weight A car's weight without any liquids, such as gas and oil. Dyno A contraction of "Dynamometer," an engine-testing device used in the shop that measures power and simulates the loads and environment of a NASCAR or Champ Car World Series racing engine. To be continued ... Source: Ford Racing