Dyno Tests: Tale of the Tape
I’ve been waiting for this, the dyno numbers from the chassis dyno tests performed at MIS that resulted in the Gibbs Racing penalties, but it’s a case of close but no cigar.
The results? Not only “inconclusive,” according to the Winston-Salem Journal, but the numbers are for tests on the MIS Cup engines. So, I’m still waiting and probably will until a frozen yogurt stand opens in Hell.
However there are things to be gleaned from the tests if you chose to believe unofficial and apparently leaked numbers.
They may not be what some would expect, or hope for if you one of the legion of Toy haters or the newly minted sub-category of Gibbs Racing haters.
As so ably reported by Diandra last week there’s a major difference between the chassis dyno test at MIS and engine dyno tests. (reported to be a 7% loss but I’ve read previously of a 10% loss on a chassis dyno - ed)
The chassis dyno tests at MIS had Kurt Busch’s (Sprint Cup) Dodge leading the HP rankings with as much as 21HP over that of Jimmie Johnson’s Hendrick-Chevy. The #12 Dodge registered in with 839 horsepower at the rear wheels.
Two days later at NASCAR’s Concord R&D facility Jeff Burton’s RCR Chevy (also a Cup engine) demonstrated the most power with the engine out of the chassis. (the most accurate method - ed)
The rest of the “unofficial” numbers, all obtained from the teams Cup engines.
- Jeff Burton (11th at Michigan), 830 horsepower.
- Mark Martin (sixth), 827 horsepower.
- Kyle Busch (race runner-up) 825 horsepower.
- Carl Edwards (race winner) 819 horsepower.
- Jimmie Johnson (17th), 819 horsepower.
- Brian Vickers (seventh), 818 horsepower.
Again, keep in mind these are not only Cup engines but unofficial numbers which are probably about the best we can expect, it’s not like NASCAR will become transparent overnight, or ever for that matter.
What one could wish for, given the massive amount of discussion on this matter, for once they could come clean and put out all the HP numbers for all teams tested both in Cup and NNS.
I could also wish for butterflies to deliver my morning newspaper so it would be gently lowered on my stoop, but like most of you out there I’ll have to settle for it being tossed into the bushes along with the cat droppings and rain runoff.
I’m betting I see butterflies before I see real numbers out of NASCAR.
I find the numbers most interesting, particularly the variances between results.
I have to wonder how consistent the testing environment is? IE: How much impact the weather can have on the testing. A bud of mine makes a habit / hobby / living out of trying to break land speed records and the weather is one of the biggest variables in his concerns. Too much or too little humidity, altitude and what not seems to make him nervous enough about this little tidbits to make or break his days.
Are the tell tale final tests all done at the same location, (Well, yes, they are: In Concord) but is it in a controlled environment room?
I assume so, but still, weather can be a wacky influence on many aspects.
(I’m not defending any numbers here, just throwing out the devil’s advocate stance.)
What difference are you referring to?
If it’s that between Kurts two numbers it’s because of the two type dyno tests that are so difference from one another they are useless to use in comparison.l
Ah. I see. Well then. Enough of me!