Next Gen NASCAR to use 18-inch aluminum wheels from BBS

[72bluNblu]

I'm not a Nascar guy at all, but I saw this article on the "next gen" Nascar chassis scheduled to debut in 2021. Finally joining the 21st century and going to 18" aluminum wheels, replacing the '60's technology 15" steel rims.

Next-generation NASCAR racer to use 18-inch, center-locking wheels

Picture is on the prototype, still using a 5 lug set up...

Of course it hasn't happened yet, rumors were out there that F1 would do something similar all the way back in 2014 and they never did. But F1 is crazy with all of it's regulations and multi-gajillion dollar back room deals. Rumor is they will also go to 18" rims in 2021, but of course until it actually happens it's just a rumor.

Revolutionary wheels: Why F1 going 18-inch will change everything · RaceFans

 

[67Dart440GT]

F1 has always been a political sport. Once a team starts to dominate they make technical regulation changes to attempt to close the field up. If you look back in history you'll see those that dominated for many years at a time, Williams, McLaren, Ferrari and now Mercedes.

 

[72bluNblu]

F1 has always been a political sport. Once a team starts to dominate they make technical regulation changes to attempt to close the field up. If you look back in history you'll see those that dominated for many years at a time, Williams, McLaren, Ferrari and now Mercedes.

Oh totally. The tire deal for F1 is hugely political. And a switch from 13” rims to 18” is massive, the suspension platform with the current 13” rims they’ve used for 30+ years basically uses the tire as the suspension, there’s very little suspension travel. To go to 18’s they’ll need to add some suspension travel back in to make up for the stiffer sidewalls. So the wheel change on F1 almost has to be tied to a new chassis design. Which is one of the reasons the NASCAR change may actually happen as they’re rolling out a new chassis too.

 

[67Dart440GT]

Oh totally. The tire deal for F1 is hugely political. And a switch from 13” rims to 18” is massive, the suspension platform with the current 13” rims they’ve used for 30+ years basically uses the tire as the suspension, there’s very little suspension travel. To go to 18’s they’ll need to add some suspension travel back in to make up for the stiffer sidewalls. So the wheel change on F1 almost has to be tied to a new chassis design. Which is one of the reasons the NASCAR change may actually happen as they’re rolling out a new chassis too.

I've been less and less interested in a sport I've watched for 30 years. Once they switched to vacuum cleaners for engines I was done. I prefer vintage racing now. At least I get to hear some amazing sounds again.

 

[famous bob]

F1 has always been a political sport. Once a team starts to dominate they make technical regulation changes to attempt to close the field up. If you look back in history you'll see those that dominated for many years at a time, Williams, McLaren, Ferrari and now Mercedes.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Sounds like the nhra , when Chrysler was dominating ! nascar did the same thing to them back in the day !

 

[69_340_GTS]

Oh totally. The tire deal for F1 is hugely political. And a switch from 13” rims to 18” is massive, the suspension platform with the current 13” rims they’ve used for 30+ years basically uses the tire as the suspension, there’s very little suspension travel. To go to 18’s they’ll need to add some suspension travel back in to make up for the stiffer sidewalls. So the wheel change on F1 almost has to be tied to a new chassis design. Which is one of the reasons the NASCAR change may actually happen as they’re rolling out a new chassis too.

It is happening to the NASCAR Cup cars, starting 2021. 18" forged alum. wheels with one center lug nut, 5-speed sequential gear box, independent rear suspension, "manufactured" chassis and bodies (probably composite). More to follow.

 

[Unconventional]

28" tires on an 18" wheel isn't going to leave much room for liners. NHRA and F1 tried the low aspect ratio tires years ago and ditched the idea quickly.

 

[44070dart]

New car has many changes coming. Single lug probably safer. Hell, they have nothing common with a "stock" car anyway. They have been slipping down that slope for sometime with these bullshit cars. I really enjoyed NASCAR's heyday, but this current crop of cookie cutter junk is far from there.

 

[72bluNblu]

28" tires on an 18" wheel isn't going to leave much room for liners. NHRA and F1 tried the low aspect ratio tires years ago and ditched the idea quickly.

F1 didn’t “try” the low aspect ratio tires, nor did they “ditch” the idea. Pirelli was looking at doing it, but they didn’t end up with the tire contract and the change wasn’t implemented because the major names didn’t have a chassis change upcoming.

It’s better technology, but as mentioned F1 is hugely political. So even a change for the better that might give an advantage to the “wrong” team can be scrapped by the big money teams.

The 18” or larger wheels will come, it’s just timing. Even a change for the better is change, and there will be a learning/tuning curve that comes with it regardless.