AIM RR1 Frequently Asked Questions
 
Why a closed wheel body?
 
  1. A closed wheel body style is aerodynamically much simpler than a open wheel design, this means downforce levels are easier to control, costly wind tunnel time is much less necessary and the advantage of a compact engine is far less. 
  2. A single seat closed wheel body style differentiates this series from other major racing cars world wide, casual fans have trouble telling ChampCars from Formula 1 or IndyCars at a glance.
  3. Fenders and a flat front end allow for imitation headlights and grills to be fitted, which makes the cars more identifiable with manufacturers, twin kidney grills and four round headlights make a BMW obvious, and BMW likes that.
  4. We believe closed wheels are safer, racing can be close and aggressive without worry of interlocking wheels or breaking off fragile wings. 
  5. More area for large easily visible sponsor signage.
Why a common chassis?
 
  1. This provides a large cost savings and equalizes competition in an area few people care about, fans don't come to the races to cheer for Lola, racers just want the best one whether it is a Reynard or not.  The bodywork is not common, so with headlights and grills the cars look more different than in previous years when there were different chassis.
  2. Control over the chassis design means a design that is designed for close racing, racing in the rain and will accept any engine without modification or advantage for certain engine layouts.
  3. The chassis design restricts aerodynamic possibilities meaning lower cost and less downforce, and also gives priority to such things as in car camera mounts. 
  4. Most of the downforce that is produced comes from the ground effects, which has less effect on the ability to follow another car closely.
  5. A common gearbox can be designed for longevity, versatility and low cost, again eliminating an area of expensive R & D that no one can see.
Production based 6 cylinder, 2800 - 3500 cc engines.
 
  1. A production based engine formula means that manufacturer participation is not required, engines are purchased and prepared for racing, rather than purpose built by manufacturers and leased to selected teams.
  2. Tight controls on which parts can be modified from the original makes this a 'Tuner' engine formula, putting engine preparation closer to mechanics instead of engineers with computer simulators.
  3. Fans can actually say "That is the same engine as in my car", closer marketing tie ins able to claim actual consumer products are racing as opposed to exotic racing designs that have no relevance to the products actually for sale.
  4. Most car makers worldwide manufacture an engine that meets these criteria, few are left
    out of the game. Having all 3 of the 'Big 3' is another of NASCAR's keys to success.
  5. Trying to equalize engines of different displacements and cylinders is an impossible task, a single engine size makes for an even playing field.
  6. Restrictive engine rules allow for competitive balance and low development cost.
Less Downforce, High Horsepower.
 
  1. Less downforce allows close following of the car in front, and longer braking zones
    before high speed corners creating more passing zones.
  2. A car with less downforce and a lot of horsepower is difficult to drive, making for 
    more driving mistakes and more exciting racing.
  3. Less downforce slows the cars where it is most important, in the high speed corners,
    this improves safety without hurting the power and excitement of the cars.
Other Rules & Reasons
 
  1. A single tire manufacturer means cost savings, an even playing field and the creation of tires with characteristics that produce good racing.
  2. Refueling and pit strategy is not racing, these regulations are designed to force all out 
    sprint races with no pit stops, all passing on the track, the cars spending the race together,
    not spread out from different fuel loads.
  3. A camera on every car at every race allowing an in car shot of all the action from different
    perspectives is easily worth the cost, these are the things that keep valuable TV viewers.
  4. A drivers championship that only scores two thirds of the results makes for aggressive driving, mistakes are forgiven, boring conservative racing for points is ended.
  5. Not allowing rear view mirrors is designed to make blocking more difficult, a driver that is alongside can been seen without the mirrors, racing motorcycles have never had them.
  6. A long schedule because racing most weekends creates a following, TV viewers get in the habit of watching each week like Hockey Night in Canada or Monday Night Football. more events means more revenue which more easily offsets one time costs, such as car development. I believe this is one of NASCAR's keys to success.
Inspirations
 
  1. MotoGP - no downforce allowing close following, no pit stops keeps the bikes together and forces them to pass on track. Most passes are a surprise attack without mirrors to look in.
  2. Pre 1989 Formula 1 - scoring only 11 drivers points finishes meant drivers didn't have to give up on the title after a blown engine.
  3. IMSA GTP early years - many of it's best cars began without factory support, just guys turbo charging production engines and going racing.
  4. Daytona Prototypes - Engine rules that don't require a manufacturer's participation, rules requiring the cars to resemble manufacturer production cars, cost effective restrictive engine and aerodynamic rules.
  5. NASCAR - A full schedule of races, don't make the fans wait weeks for the next one or keep track of when that is.
  6. World SBK - Forcing a single tire manufacturer was a gamble they proved provides closer racing and better opportunities for smaller teams.
  7. A1 GP - Proving cars built for racing are more entertaining than cars built for winning.