Why no 24h OW race?

[Jimmy Magnusson]

Yes, why not? There's plenty of high-level sportscar endurance races, but why no open wheel one?

[littleman]

What??? Try no headlights for a start!How u going to change drivers in a single-seater - the seat and pedals have to fit like a glove.

[Obizzz]

Originally Posted by littleman

What??? Try no headlights for a start!How u going to change drivers in a single-seater - the seat and pedals have to fit like a glove.

Headlights aren't exactly rocket science they could easily be added to a formula car and the seating is as much of an issue in a race car no?! With some modding you could get the formula car with adjustable seat and stuff as well.. of course you can't just take any formula car as it is but with some mods I don't see the problems you mentioned.

[ss_collins]

I dont think many formula cars could last 24 hours - there usede to be a six hour relay in the UK though

[Knowlesy]

Open wheelers in the dark sounds a tad disastrous!

[Kidzer]

With a well-lit track/wee headlights on the cars, I wouldn't mind seeing it tbh

'course, that is if you could make a single-seater run for 24hrs well enough!

[Bezzen]

During summertime at the Arctic Circle Raceway I guess you wouldn't need any headlights for a 24h race.

[SALEEN S7R]

Personally I think that cars like a GP2 car could potentially last 24 hours at full racing speeds. There is no real reason as to why the cars woudnt last, if things fell off like a rear wing they could get back to the pits and put on a replacement one, just like they do with LMP's in sportscar racing. Engines could be a stumbling block but units like the Mechacrome in the GP2 Dallara are re built every 4,000-4,500km which is very similar to what the front running LMP's achieve at Le Mans over 24 hours.

Of course it isnt likely to happen, but if it were to happen then I would go along to watch it.

[ss_collins]

Iceland MotoPark will probably be the highest spec midnight sun race circuit when it opens (currently under construction).

However I seriously doubt a GP2 car could last a 24 hour race, whilst the engine rebuilds are 4,500km if you wanted to run a 24 hour race you would build the engine for 9,000km.

Other parts would also not go the distance, brakes, various drive train components, clutches. Its not impossible to build a 24 hour single seater (just look at an RS Spyder less body work) but frankly there is no interest in it. LMP's are really big and beefed up single seaters so thats as close as you are gonna get.

What would be interesting is to see just how quick the current crop of LMP's really are - with no restrictors!

[duke_toaster]

Don't some US ovals have floodlights? (Richmond, Bristol ... anywhere where NASCAR race into the night - IRL have done evening/night races as well). If so, surely if it is a small oval it is possible to floodlight the interior as well ...

[MikeHoyer]

It could probably be done, but for me at least it doesn't sound particularly exciting.

[Erki]

Wasn't last year's Champ Car race at Houston held in dusk?

[ghinzani]

Karts do 24 hr races with no problems. or headlights...

[Suze]

Karts are built with that in mind

[SALEEN S7R]

Yes but still, a GP2 car could probably run flat out for 24 hours. Sure there may be a few problems along the way with bits of bodywork falling off etc but the cars should be built strongly enough to last. They just might require a bit of mainteance during the course of the race but that is true of any endurance race. Even for LMP's which are designed solely for endurance.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by SALEEN S7R

Yes but still, a GP2 car could probably run flat out for 24 hours. Sure there may be a few problems along the way with bits of bodywork falling off etc but the cars should be built strongly enough to last. They just might require a bit of mainteance during the course of the race but that is true of any endurance race. Even for LMP's which are designed solely for endurance.

Sorry, I've just read this and pictured Laurel and Hardy next to a very much reduced Model T Ford.

You can't seriously think that people plan to run 24hrs with bits falling off? They plan for emergencies which may, repeat may, include the odd bit falling off.

[SALEEN S7R]

Like it or not Peter accidents do happen in a 24 hour race, single seaters particularly are quite frail in terms of bodywork. How often have you watched a GP2 race to see a bit of contact and for the nose/front wing section of the car to fall off? It happens quite regularly, then they limp back to the pits for a replacement part. Normally though in single seater racing if this happens the damage is already done and the race is over for the driver concerned because the races are so short. In endurance racing engine covers, rear wings etc all fall off of cars at various times.

To answer your question though, no teams dont plan to run 24 hour races with bits falling off. They do however plan for the possibilty of bits and pieces falling off during the course of the race that way they are prepared.

[Knowlesy]

And that is why we do not have 24 hour races with such cars, thank you for explaining.

[JohnMiller]

There is no way a GP2 engine could do a 24 hr race.

[bella]

no, but neither can a 2cv...

[SALEEN S7R]

Ignore.

[Peter Mallett]

Knowlsey. My point exactly.