Mario's Tech Sheet ©2006 Long Beach 1978. This is the year Colin Chapman, Mario Andretti and the Lotus 79 won the World Formula One Championship. Here Andretti reviews his tire temperature; tire pressure, lap times, and segment times. Mario and Colin Chapman use this information to fine-tune his Lotus chassis.With the 79, Colin Chapman perfected a phenomenon known as "ground effect", where air flowing under the car was channeled to create unheard of levels of aerodynamic down force.The design speeded up the airflow to create a low-pressure area that sucked the car down on to the track.Vertically sliding "skirts" were used to prevent any air escaping out of the sides.It cornered "like it was painted to the road" Mario Andretti. |