TELEMETRY
Highly sophisticated electronics which transmit a race car’s performance data. During a race, telemetry measures and wirelessly sends various diagnostic information about a race car to the pit crew. This allows the driver’s team to see any mechanical or electrical problems that the driver may not be able to detect from the cockpit.
TEAR OFFS / TEAR OFF STRIPS / TEAR OFF SHEETS
In open wheel racing, each driver has several layers of see-through plastic film covering the visor of their helmets, which they can tear-off as the visor gets dirty during the race. When the visor becomes dirty, a driver can tear off the dirty strip and restore clear vision. Multiple layers of tear-off strips can be added to a visor. This eliminates the need to keep wiping the visor. On full-bodied race cars, transparent plastic sheets can be applied to the windshield (as in NASCAR). As these sheets accumulate debris, a driver or pit crew can tear a dirty strip off for a clear view.
TECH
Short for tech (or technical) inspection. Each car is submitted to tech inspection so sanctioning body officials can confirm all chassis and engine parts meet series’ guidelines. A “teched” car has passed inspections.
THROTTLE
The gas pedal.
TIGHT
When a car is having problems steering due to a lack of grip in the front tires the car is driving tight. When trying to drive around a corner the car will want to continue straight. (see Push)
TIRE PRESSURE
Tire pressure is a measurement of compressed gas inside the tire expressed in pounds per square inch. The racing tires used in most auto-racing competition can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the tire pressure. Nitrogen is typically used rather than regular air, since air contains vaporized water that can affect how the pressure in the tire changes as it heats up and cools down. Nitrogen is water-free and changes in pressure due to heat can be reliably predicted. Tire pressure is adjusted to change handling, as the flexible tires serve as an additional spring rate in the suspension. Increasing tire pressure serves to stiffen the overall suspension, while lowering the pressure will soften the overall suspension. This is a fine-tuning adjustment commonly made during a race since the team doesn’t have time to change the actual springs.
TIRES
The tires used in most auto-racing competition are specialized racing slicks manufactured to withstand the extreme demands of racing on road courses, street circuits, short ovals and superspeedway ovals. Special treaded rain tires are used for wet weather competition.
TOE
In order to provide car stability at speed, all four tires are usually pointed slightly inward if viewed from overhead. More toe-in provides more stability but increased tire drag.
TORQUE
A measure of engine power, described in foot-pounds of force. The measure of a force- producing tension and rotation around an axis. A twisting force which may or may not result in motion. Horsepower is a measurement of torque over a period of time.
TRACTION
The degree to which a car is able to transfer its power onto the track surface for forward progress or turning stability. Traction can vary depending on the track surface, weather, or tire choices.
TRACTION CONTROL
An extremely complex means of electronically reducing the power to the driving wheels, to minimize wheel-spin, and maximize traction. Traction control works by temporarily reducing engine power output when sensors on the car and wheels detect wheelspin. Traction control systems can be customized for particular tracks, invoking differing levels of traction control in different gears or at different points around a circuit. Simply stated, this is usually done by electronically matching the speed of the rear wheels to that of the front wheels.
TRANSPORTER
A large tractor-trailer rig used to move cars, tires and equipment from one race location to another.
TUB
The chassis or monocoque or main body of a Formula 1 or Indy-style race car.
TUNNELS
Downforce ground-effect-generating venturi area underneath a race car. (see Aerodynamics)
TURBO / TURBOCHARGER
A device which pressurizes air, pumps it into the engine and “boosts” a car’s performance. A turbocharger is a turbine device which places a fan within the exhaust system. Exhaust gas pressure causes this fan to spin very rapidly (over 100,000 rpm). This fan is attached to a driveshaft that turns another fan within the intake system, forcing additional fuel and air into the intake manifold under high pressure, or “boost”, producing more horsepower and torque. Essentially the condensed air increases the air/fuel mixture to create more power.
TURBULENCE
Rough air encountered by race car drivers. (see Air – dirty or clean)
TURN IN
As a car reaches a corner, this is the moment at which a driver actually begins to turn the wheel. The timing of this action and the car’s response to it are crucial for setting fast lap times.
UNDERBODY
The underbody on a top race car is a sculpted piece of bodywork that most people never see. It’s on the underside of the car, and incorporates ground-effect generating tunnels and diffuser(s) that help create downforce while minimizing drag. (see ride height and/or underwing)
UNDERSTEER
When a car has more traction (or grip) in the rear than in the front. (see Push)
UNLAP
A driver down one lap passes the leader to regain position on the lead lap.
USAC / UNITED STATES AUTO CLUB
The United States Auto Club (USAC) is one of the sanctioning bodies of auto racing in the United States. From 1956 to 1979, USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500. Today, USAC serves as the sanctioning body for a number of racing series, including the Silver Crown Series, National Sprint Cars, National Midgets, Speed2 Midget Series, .25 Midget Series, Stadium Super Trucks, TORC: The Off-Road Championship, and Pirelli World Challenge.
VARA / VINTAGE AUTO RACING ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1973, VARA is the largest vintage car racing member organization on the West Coast. Race fields are made up of production and sports cars through 1979, with a focus on fun and competitive, contact-free racing
VICTORY LANE
A special place reserved for the winner of the race or the top-three finishers to park their cars and climb onto the Victory Podium, a three-level stand where the top three finishers receive their trophies and spray the champagne.
VINTAGE CAR RACING
Auto races featuring the great and legendary race cars of the past are held to share the sights and sounds of racing in the past. The primary objective of the sport of vintage and historic automobile racing is to promote the preservation of classic and historic race cars in an active racing environment (as opposed to static displays) that emphasizes safety for drivers, cars and spectators. Fields are made up of Indy Cars, Sports Cars, Formula Cars, Sports Racers, and other categories of racing vehicles from the early 1900s to as recent as five years in the past.
VORTEX
An area of revolving compressed air. In humid or wet conditions, race cars can produce visible vortexes off their rear bodywork or wings. These ‘vapor trails’ are similar to those produced by high speed aircraft.
WARM-UP LAP
The lap before a race starts. Drivers use this parade lap to warm up their engines and tires.
WEAVING
Zig zagging across the track to warm up and clean off tires, or during a race, to block an opponent while he is attempting a pass.
WEIGHT JACKER
Some top race cars are equipped with a weight jacker. This hydraulic system is controlled by the driver from the cockpit while racing and distributes some of the the car’s weight from one side to the other to help the driver manage his car’s handling.
WETS
Race tires, usually treaded, designed to perform better in the rain or other wet conditions.
WEDGE
The process of adding weight to the rear of a race car. It is done by shifting the amount of weight applied to the rear wheels by tightening the pressure on the rear springs.
WHEEL TETHERS
Extremely strong kevlar and steel cables that secure tires/wheels to the race car chassis in the event of a crash, reducing the possibility that they will completely detach from the car and possibly become a danger to other drivers or spectators.
WHITE AND RED FLAG
Used by the starter, this white flag with a diagonal red stripe indicates that an emergency or service vehicle is on the track, and extreme caution should be used.
WHITE FLAG
When waved by the starter, this signifies the start of the last lap of the race. When waved by a corner worker, it signifies that a slow-moving vehicle is on the track
WIND TUNNEL
A facility built for the purpose of aerodynamic evaluations, a wind tunnel usually consists of a large tunnel with a powerful fan at one end and a spot downwind for whatever is being aerodynamically tested. The fan blows a powerful stream of air across the stationary object being tested, which is connected to various sensors and computer systems to study engineering issues such as downforce and drag. A small wind tunnel may often use scale models, while larger and more expensive wind tunnels may use full scale models or actual vehicles. Some of the best wind tunnels for automotive use will actually have a fast-moving floor that simulates the car moving across the ground.
WINDSCREEN / WINDSHIELD
A transparent glass, composite or fiberglass surface in front of the driver designed to aid air flow and deflect turbulent or high speed airflow from the driver.
WING or AEROFOIL
A type of wing-shaped fixture used to keep the car firmly on the track at high speed. The wing functions like an upside down airplane wing to force the race car downward and provide maximum downforce. Located on both the front (nose) and rear of race cars, wings are usually fully adjustable to affect traction and balance of the race car. Different shaped wings will be used, depending on class rules, track types and the effects desired by the driver or team engineers. They are strictly regulated by each race series’ rule book as to size and position.
WIRE-TO-WIRE
A term that refers to leading a race from start to finish. A driver who starts the race from pole position and is never passed is credited with winning “wire to wire” or “flag to flag” – from the Green Flag at the start to the Checkered Flag at the finish. (see Flag to Flag)
YELLOW FLAG
A yellow flag indicates danger, such as a stranded car or an accident ahead. If displayed by a corner worker, this means the subsequent section of the track has a problem that requires drivers to slow down and not make any passes. If the starter displays two yellow flags, it signifies a full- course caution, which prompts the pace car to enter the track and lead the cars around at reduced speed.
ZIG ZAG
To sharply move back-and-forth on the track. Drivers often zig zag on warm-up laps to heat up their tires.
