by HoTWire
1. July 2008 03:13
This little gem kind of ties us back to motor racing week, but it was too good to pass up, particularly in light of our recent trip to the HSCC Historic Festival, a full feature on which is forth coming.
Innovation
These days it is difficult to remember that Formula 1 used to be hugely innovative, monocoque construction, wings, downforce, tyre technology, and all sorts of more modern driver aids were experimented with in Formula 1.
What is great about formula racing is that the very formula regulations themselves are what has encouraged innovation, having a limited set of things that you can change focuses the mind somewhat. So it was that Tyrell found themselves facing a new set of small wheel diameter rules in the 1976 season. Smaller front wheels would reduce grip for the cars, obviously something engineer Derek Gardner wanted to avoid.
Lateral Thinking
Being engineers their solution was a brilliant piece of lateral thinking, the rules stated smaller wheels, they didn't however state how many, so Tyrell set about building a car with 4 front wheels, all of which steered the car. Compared to other cars of the era the wheels size could also be thought to have aided air flow.
The radical cars were used through the entire 1976 season, picking up a number of good results as well as a famous one, two victory at the Swedish Grand Prix.
Over Taken By Developments
The cars key innovation was also its major downfall, the innovative wheel size resulted in the current tyre manufacturers not developing new tyre technology for the car, soon the more traditional four wheel cars had as much grip as the P34, coupled with the later P34B putting on a bit of weight this innovative car became uncompetitive.
Interestingly the car has proven itself competitive once again in the Historic Formula One series of races, as it is now able to take advantage of more modern tyre compounds. When seen in action it is obvious how well it handles and seems to corner as if on rails. Whilst many of the rare cars we've written about are difficult to see, the Tyrell P34 can often be seen racing, or at motorsports events like Goodwood. In the mean time check out this amazing on-board video round Monaco:
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