McLaren as a long history of creative engineering solutions and this is an interesting way of keeping the tires at their optimal temperature

Report: McLaren using brakes to heat tyres

Thursday 14th June 2012, 18:08 by Ryan Wood
? Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
McLaren are reportedly able to adjust the temperature of their tyres through an adjustable opening on the wheel hub.
Such a system would be useful this season given the difference a degree or two can make to the operational window of the sensitive Pirelli tyres.
The clever yet simple system allows a mechanic, through a hole on the sidepod, to adjust a clamp on the brake hub during qualifying and the race to allow a controlled amount of hot air from the brakes to heat the tyres.
If the track temperature drops, the mechanics, one either side, would open the slot wider to allow more hot air to pas …

http://thef1times.com/news/display/06235

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Report: McLaren using brakes to heat tyres
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There are big changes coming to the Le Mans rule book for 2014! The organizing body, the ACO typically announces any rule changes two years in advance during the 24 Hour race week and today was the day. 

For decades now most big time racing series have imposed restrictions on engine displacement and cylinder count.  In addition many series use air inlet restrictors to balance the power output of various engines. 

Starting in 2014, the top class LMP1 cars can run whatever size engine they want with however many cylinders they choose and hybrid systems will also be freed up. Instead, each car will be given an energy allocation for the race that will amount to about a 30% fossil fuel reduction compared to current machines. The weight and width (and thus the aerodynamic drag) will also be reduced.

This could make for some very interesting racing and hopefully some advances in road car technology that can trickle down. 

CAR has more on the news http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/Industry-News/Le-Mans-regulations-for-2014-announced/

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Auto News – 24 Heures du Mans 2012 – New LMP1 Technical Regulations for 2014 unveiled – LeMans.org
All news about 24 Hours of Le Mans on www.lemans.org

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