The best book I've ever read on Physics in regards to racing.

books:


	• The Physics of NASCAR: How to Make Steel + Gas + Rubber = Speed Diandra Leslie-Pelecky Dutton Adult, 2008 - 286 pages average customer review:based on 24 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

The best book I've ever read on Physics in regards to racing.

The author take us on a field trip with a NASCAR race team; including her own "test drive" on a track at high speed. Into the labs, pits and minds of the crews who help bring the exciting sport of NASCAR Racing alive. Designing the intricate cage that the driver sits in. The physics of motion, heat, liquids, air, molecules. Interviews and on-site observations with the "engineers" working on different parts of the engine and chassis.

I loved the way in which the author explained in scientific, yet laymans terms, the workings of a car during a race. Valves, fuel, exhaust, shocks, ventilation, even the importance of the paint job and the "wrapping" of decals on the body and how they affect the aerodynamics of the car in motion. These "Good Old Boys" are as smart as they are witty.

You'll learn the effects of banking angles or degrees on different tracks. How the smallest adjustments to tires, shocks, control arms helps or hinders cornering performance at high speed.

The safety factors for the drivers that have progressed through the years; suits, helmets, Nomex gloves, body restraints, ventilation, etc. A myriad of subjects within subjects. Top notch information for any NASCAR or Physics fan. This is one class that won't bore you or put you to sleep.

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Great for the new or casual NASCAR fan

Great for the fan of NASCAR looking to make more sense of all the mechanics involved. Figuring out how chassis looks, and how the car of today is different from the old car, what makes the engines on NASCAR cars different than a normal car.....

I picked up the book on a saturday night right after the nationwide series, and almost finished it before the sprint cup race on sunday. Perfect timing too, cause then i could understand how the center of gravity shifts the weight in the car of today putting more weight on the front right tires, making the Brickyard 400 more of a heat race than a 400 mile race.

The only thing this book could use more of are pictures and diagrams to support the discussions on engine parts, shocks, spring positions, wedge, swaybar, and a few other spots. That would only make this book more helpful than it already is(in case she plans on updating a physics of nascar vol.2 edition)

Great book! Thanks Dr. Leslie-Pelecky for putting together a "NASCAR engineering for dummies" book!

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An Excellent Introduction

In her book, "The Physics of NASCAR", author Diandra Leslie-Pelecky takes the reader inside the sometimes ignored world of engineers and gearheads to get a glimpse of the science that is used to make a car travel at speed of nearly 200 mph while still being consistently drivable. Pelecky follows the story into the garages and mobile offices (haulers) of several NASCAR teams to get an up-close understanding of the issues that car fabricators, engine builders, crews and drivers face in their quest to capture the checkered flag at the end of a long week of work.

The book is very much written at an introductory level with no prior knowledge of physics, chemistry or auto-racing assumed. With chapters on nearly everything of any importance related to going fast and doing it safely, Pelecky does an excellent job of balancing the technical side of the topic with stories and descriptions of the real human beings that make it all happen. Nowhere will the reader feel like they have gotten lost in an avalanche of technical jargon and yet most readers will feel as if they have a much deeper understanding of what it takes to run fast.

The only contention I might have is that I would have liked to have seen a bit more information on the specific effects of aerodynamic changes and a discussion of the engineering of tires to provide more grip. These however are minor points that are likely more based on personal preference than any real defect int he book.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in NASCAR or auto racing in general and who finds the network spots on the car leaving them wishing for more. You'll find most of that more here in a way that is easily accessible to nearly anyone.

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The Trek to the Track

For less than a price of a hat feature the sponsor's logo of your favorite driver or most new die-casts, you can get an easy-to-understand explanation of what makes the NASCAR hot-rod get around the track every Sunday afternoon.

Through the use of diagrams and text, author Diandra Leslie-Pelecky, a physicist at the University of Texas - Dallas, delves into the chemistry, physics and - yes - the human element in the quest to develop the perfect ride.

Doing everything but throwing a helmet down on the ground in the initial chapters, Leslie-Pelecky discusses the chassis, diagrams how welding works, and some nuances in the game, like how the white paint on a car appears white to our eyes. But getting the car onto the track is where the book picks up speed. She reports on the kinetics of racing through engines, brakes, tires, drag and lift.

Leslie-Pelecky gets a reader as close to the real action of the sport and the NASCAR fan will not view that favorite die-cast in the same way ever again.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Every NASCAR fan ? at one time or another ? asks the same question: Why isn?t my favorite driver winning? This is your chance to discover how much more there is to NASCAR than ?Go fast, turn left and don?t crash.? If you?ve ever wondered why racecars don?t have mufflers, how ?bump drafting? works, or what in the world ?Let?s go up a pound on the right rear and add half a round of wedge? means, The Physics of NASCAR is for you.

In this fast-paced investigation into the adrenaline-pumping world of NASCAR, a physicist with a passion uncovers what happens when the rubber hits the road and 800- horsepower vehicles compete at 190 miles per hour only inches from one another.

Diandra Leslie-Pelecky reveals how and why drivers trust the engineering and science their teams literally build around them not only to get them across the finish line in first place, but also to keep them alive. Professor Leslie-Pelecky is a physicist in love with the sport?s beauty and power and is uniquely qualified to explain exactly how physics translates into winning races.

Based on the author?s extensive access to race shops, pit crews, crew chiefs and mechanics, this book traces the life cycle of a race car from behind the scenes at top race shops to the track. The Physics of NASCAR takes readers right into the ultra competitive world of NASCAR, from the champion driver?s hot seat behind the detachable steering wheel to the New Zealander nicknamed Kiwi in charge of shocks for the No. 19 car.

Diandra Leslie-Pelecky tells her story in terms anyone who drives a car--and maybe occasionally looks under the hood--can understand. How do drivers walk away from serious crashes? How can two cars travel faster together than either car can on its own? How do you dress for a 1800°F gasoline fire? In simple yet detailed, high-octane prose, this is the ultimate thrill ride for armchair speed demons, auto science buffs, and NASCAR fans at every level of interest.

Readers, start your engines.

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