ABOVE: New paint job for the 2007 Ginn Racing team with drivers Sterling Marlin and Mark Martin. |
The Lowe’s Motor Speedway yearly Media Tour is up and running through Jan 25, and we’ve got people on the ground getting you the latest info from it. Included here are some of the most up to date pics of the latest COT units. We’ve tossed in a couple of new paint jobs for the current cars too.
As much as I’ve ragged on the scheduling and roll-out of the COT being used in only 16 races in 2007 -- thus making the teams build two different fleets for 2007 = BIG bucks. I do respect the safety measures and other ideas being incorporated into it. Below is a summary of them:
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Double-frame rail on driver’s side with steel plating covering the internal door bars.
Looks just like the Impala SS you can go buy at your local Chevy dealer doesn’t it?
- Energy-absorbing [foam] materials installed between the roll cage door bars and door panels.
- Enlarged cockpit – the driver is moved closer to the center of the car and the roof is 2-½ inches higher.
- The rear wing is an adjustable aerodynamic device that provides better balance and control in traffic. It replaces the rear spoiler.
- The rear wing reduces turbulent air behind the car.
- The rear wing angle adjusts between 0-16 degrees, enabling teams to change rear downforce to suit individual drivers and tracks.
- Various combinations and adjustments to sideforce-generating end plates (of the wing) and flat end-plates allow for further at-track adjustments.
- Teams can adjust the exposed portion of the front air-splitter fore and aft from 4-6 inches to adjust downforce and aerodynamic balance.
- The front splitter is another device to achieve an aerodynamic balance for a team’s setup, driver or track conditions might dictate.
- The adjustable front splitter enables teams to tune the front downforce to suit individual drivers and tracks.
