Weight is one of the most important issues to consider when building a fast car for road or track. Putting a car on a serious diet is pretty much free horsepower, as any attempt to lighten a car improves the power to weight ratio, this seriously improves acceleration.

The gains on a lightening a car are huge and not just limited to gains in acceleration either. Once you have lightened a fast car you will find the car performs better in the corners and under braking, parts such as brakes and tires will last longer on the car also.

The potential gains are huge but it must be done correctly, you would not want to lighten a rear wheel drive car too much on the rear or you may find traction a problem particularly with a high power output.

The truth is your fast car could be made a great deal faster cheaply and easily just by shaving a few pounds off the body.

How do we remove weight from the fast car?

This bit is as easy as you want it to be, but as with most forms of car modification it depends on how far you want to go. I know a guy who races a BMW and he decided to go all out on weight saving, he even scraped every bit of under-seal from the floors of the car, extreme perhaps but he managed to remove nearly 2 stone of under-seal, not a bad effort.

The obvious place to start saving weight on your fast car is by removing the interior, and anything else that you do not need, the front seats can be replaced with light weight racing items, the unused wiring removed, carpets and sound deadening, pretty much all of the unnecessary parts, my car has just a driver seat and a cage with much of the unnecessary wiring removed. This makes for a car with very impressive performance.

Many other components can be replaced with lighter parts, gear box casings, axle covers etc. It is worth noting that a stainless steel exhaust is lighter than the same in mild steel, so this constitutes a worthwhile investment.

It is also important to reduce the unsprung weight on the car also, by this I mean wheels, brakes and anything else before the suspension mounts, this provides a very good increase in the handling of the car.

Wheelchair lift vans can be difficult to find because of their specialized function. These vans are made especially to accommodate wheelchair bound individuals. Wheelchair lift vans are designed in such a way that it will be able to allow wheelchairs to be lifted up and become part of the seating of the said van.

This makes it possible for such people on wheelchairs to have access to a specialized mode of transportation that will enable them to travel around in a convenient manner. But when one cannot be found, most people usually rely on having any regular van modified to allow a wheelchair to be accessed into it.

Wheelchair lift vans are included in a range of vehicles that have been modified in order to allow access by individuals who use wheelchairs in their day-to-day routine. The usual modifications made on such vans are lowering the floor and adding a special ramp so that the chair can easily be rolled into the van.

Another modification is adding a motorized lift that is capable of picking the wheelchair up from ground level to the same level as the floor of the van. AMS Vans has pictures of what a lowered floor conversion looks like.

A van must undergo through an intense modification process that requires pinpoint planning in order for it to become wheelchair accessible. If utmost care is not taken during the modification work, there is a big chance that the sloppy work will result in a vehicle that can become completely undriveable.

When looking for your wheelchair van or planning to have one modified, it is recommended that you deal solely with a known member of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association when trying to acquire a wheelchair accessible van.

There are general steps that manufacturers follow in converting a regular van into a wheelchair accessible vehicle. These steps may differ greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer. All manufacturers or dealers of wheelchair lift vans should be closely aware of what takes place and what is needed during their conversion process. These manufacturers must be able to answer all questions that individuals may ask about the conversion process. Most van conversions to become wheelchair accessible usually change the usual parts of the van. First of all, the original van floor is generally removed. Front seating is specially modified in such a way so as to allow easy access when using a wheelchair.

A special means of external access added, which is most often a ramp, a motorized lift, or turning seat. The van suspension is then stiffened to allow for the extra weight of wheelchairs, usually those that are powered by a motor.

It may also be necessary for gas tanks to be modified or replaced with custom models. After the conversion process, these modified vehicles are then tested to ensure safe and ideal operation.

Modern Formula One cars are mid-engined open cockpit, open wheel single-seaters. The chassis is made largely of carbon fibre composites, rendering it light but extremely stiff and strong. The whole car, including engine, fluids and driver weighs only 605 kg. In fact this is the minimum weight set by the regulations – the cars are so light that they often have to be ballasted up to this minimum weight.

The cornering speed of Formula One cars is largely determined by the aerodynamic downforce that they generate, which pushes the car down onto the track. This is provided by ‘wings’ mounted at the front and rear of the vehicle, and by ground effect created by the movement of air under the flat bottom of the car.

A significant difference in the design of the latest breeds of F1 cars is that they make far greater use of vortex “lift,” or in this case, downforce. Since a vortex is a rotating fluid that creates a low pressure zone at its center, creating vortices lowers the overall local pressure of the air.

Since low pressure is what is desired under the car, allowing normal atmospheric pressure to press the car down from the top, by creating vortices, downforce can be augmented while still staying within the rules.

The aerodynamic design of the cars is very heavily constrained to limit performance and the current generation of cars sport a large number of small winglets, “barge boards” and turning vanes designed to closely control the flow of the air over, under and around the car. The “barge boards” in particular are designed, shaped, configured, adjusted and positioned not to create downforce directly, as with a conventional wing or underbody venturi. They are designed so that air spillage from their edges will create these vortices.

The other major factor controlling the cornering speed of the cars is the design of the tyres. Tyres in Formula One are not ’slicks’ (tyres with no tread pattern) as in most other circuit racing series. Each tyre has four large circumferential grooves on its surface designed to further limit the cornering speed of the cars. Suspension is double wishbone or multilink all round with pushrod operated springs and dampers on the chassis. Carbon-Carbon disc brakes are used for reduced weight and increased frictional performance. These provide a very high level of braking performance and are usually the element which provokes the greatest reaction from drivers new to the formula.

Engines are mandated as 2.4 litre normally aspirated V8s, with many other constraints on their design and the materials that may be used. The 2006 generation of engines rev close to 20,000 rpm and produce up to 740 bhp (552 kW).[10] The previous generation of 3-litre V10 engines are also allowed, albeit with their revs limited and with an air restrictor to limit performance.

Engines run on unleaded fuel closely resembling publicly available petrol. The oil which lubricates and protects the engine from overheating is very similar in viscosity to water. For 2007 the V8 engines will be restricted to 19,000 rpm with limited development areas allowed, following the engine specification freeze from the end of 2006. As outright speed and power are effectively being capped it is widely believed that teams will work on improving reliability, and the torque range of the engine to improve driveability.

A wide variety of technologies – including active suspension, ground effect aerodynamics and turbochargers – are banned under the current regulations. Despite this the 2006 generation of cars can reach speeds of up to 350 km/h (around 220 mph) at some circuits (Monza).A Honda Formula One car, running with minimum downforce on a runway in the Mojave desert achieved a top speed of 415 km/h (258 mph) in 2006. According to Honda, the car fully met the FIA Formula One regulations.

Even with the limitations on aerodynamics, at 160 km/h, aerodynamically generated downforce is equal to the weight of the car and the often repeated claim that Formula One cars are capable of ‘driving on the ceiling’ remains true in principle, although it has never been put to the test. At full speed downforce of 2.5 times the car’s weight can be achieved.

The downforce means that the cars can achieve a lateral force of around four and a half times the force of gravity (4.5 g) in cornering - a high-performance road car might achieve around 1 g. Consequently in corners the driver’s head is pulled sideways with a force equivalent to 25 kilograms. Such high lateral forces are enough to make breathing difficult and the drivers need supreme concentration to maintain their focus for the 1 to 2 hours that it takes to cover 305 kilometres.

Yamaha YZF-R1 is a natural born land rocket by combining the technology from the race track with a great design compare to other super bikes in the same category. It is quite a while since it first appearance but from its unique performance in every aspect makes the YZF-R1 still in most bikers mind.

Foe anyone who owns this R-1, you don’t have to be worry that your model will fade through time because the Yamaha has made a great design for it. As time goes by this bike still be trendy and even for the minor change they never miss every little detail. If you look at the minor change it looks a lot like the old model but actually more than 200 parts are change. Specially the body parts, it may look alike but the Yamaha has to redesign it and test the arrow dynamic force to find the best model that will has the least wind resistant. The front mirror angle is reducing by few degrees. The front head light is uniquely redesign and added the air duct ability to help cool down the intercooler and the engine itself. For the back mirror, the size was longer and moves the position higher for better seeing. Other than what they mention above, the overall weight is also reduced by 2 kilograms.

The frame is the newly develop frame from Yamaha under the name of Delta-Box II and used in the first time in the R-1 and later used in the R-7 which is the best super bike of the year. The new frame is lighter, stronger than and not as big as the earlier one.

The new engine technology that is used in this monster is lighter but more powerful. It is a 4 cylinder Double Overhead Camshaft engine uses the Genesis 4 step technology 998 cc. The cylinder diameter is 74 millimeter and the pull length is 58 millimeters and the compression ratio is 11.8:1. It produces 150 horsepower at 10,000 rounds per minute with the torque 11.0 kilogram-meters at 8,500 rounds per minute equipped with a six speed manual transmission. The gear plate is small and changes the ratio for 1st gear to close to 2nd gear. The cylinders use the ELEC-TROPLATING technology to reduce the occurred friction and also helps cool down the temperature. The fuel injection they use is from Mikuni 40 millimeters with a special system that will transfer the data to the ECU. The fuel rail is bigger. The start motor is smaller and shorter by 12 millimeters. The valve cover is made from magnesium for lighter weight. The muffler was redesign and the muffler tip is made from titanium.

The last change is the fuel tank. Yamaha has removed a support from the end of the tank and reduced the size by 5 millimeters which gives the comfortable feeling while you are riding it. The overall design is impressive and creates the modern look.

Man is the only creature on this global planet we call earth who has the ability for amazing adaptability. There seems to be no end to what man can achieve. In fact, we seem to be limited only by our own imagination. It is only a matter of time before man can achieve all of his dreams, hopes and aspirations.

This creativity and superb adaptability of man has revolutionized the way we do and see things and this is particularly beneficial to individuals with problems with mobility. Innovative scooters and wheelchairs are now available in the market to aid individuals maintain a proper quality of life by improving their mobility.

To further supplement these, there are lifts available for scooters and wheelchairs for use on vehicles or at home. Use of lifts for scooters and wheelchairs are necessary for increased mobility for the mobility impaired.

For the best options and deals on lifts for scooters and wheelchairs, below are some handy and helpful links to aid you on your search.

Price Grabber

Grab increased mobility at the right price at http://www.pricegrabber.com Here you can browse their many mobility aids for all your increased mobility needs. Recommended in particular is the AmeriGlide 200-SD Stow-Able Wheelchair Lift and Scooter Lift. This particular lift for scooters and wheelchairs allows one to lift your power mobility device on the floor of a vehicle with total ease. What’s more is that this lift can be disassembled with parts you can store individually for space optimization. Its best quality however is that it is one of the lightest lifts available in the market. This lightweight is a heavy lifter.

Scooter Link

Another good place to look for a lift for scooters and wheelchairs is at http://ww2.scooterlink.com Recommended from this site is the Harmar AL050 Micro Power Chair Lift. This lift is light and will securely transport your scooter and wheelchair into compatible vehicles. It boasts of being lightweight and affordable and it is true. Although, the product mentioned in the previous paragraph is still much lighter and inexpensive when compared to the Harmar AL050 Micro Power Chair Lift. What’s more is that the AmeriGlide 200-SD Stow-Able Wheelchair Lift and Scooter Lift can lift more weight.

Pronto

Talk about automation heaven. The Harmar Mobility AL690 Hybrid Platform Lift is amazing. This product is extremely user friendly because of its automated ease of use. Push button efficiency is this product’s key feature. Compare prices and grab this fantastic product pronto at http://www.pronto.com

Honda has come up with the most amazing 4-wheel-drive system, not for off-roaders but to improve the handling and stability of fast cars. It is being used first in the new Acura RL (Honda Legend).

Why is it so advanced? This SH-AWD system has the potential to increase cornering power and cornering safety by leaps and bounds. It will be ideal for supercars as well as luxury coupes.(More information about supercars at http://www.fast-autos.com/supercars.html )

First, it allows the amount of power sent to the wheels to be varied from 30% front and 70% rear to 70% front and 30% rear. True, some other systems get near that, but this allows the system to adjust itself to completely different conditions. On top of that, it can alter the torque from zero to 100% to the left or right rear wheel.

In other words, all the power can one to the right wheel one minute, and if necessary can be reversed so that all the power goes to the other wheel in an instant. This might be needed in slushy or snowy conditions, where there was a patch of bare road for a bit on one side offering good grip, but a bit later on a bare patch on the other side.

In addition to those features, the outer rear wheel can be speeded up so that it goes faster than the inside wheel! All done continuously depending on conditions. A few years ago this would have considered desirable, but science fiction.

More power to the rear wheel for acceleration

Confused? Well, let’s start with the front-to-rear power. When you accelerate, the weight of the car is thrown on to the back wheels by the force of acceleration, so you want more power to go to the back wheels - if it all goes to the front you get wheelspin. When cornering, you generally want as much or more power to the rear wheels. SH-AWD does that.

On the other hand, when you are cruising along, you want more power to the front wheels as this increases stability. SH-AWD also does that.

More power to outer rear wheel for better cornering

The side-to-side variation in power is used to improve cornering power and stability. For example, when you accelerate through a corner, extra power through the outer rear wheel counteracts understeer, letting the car corner on rails. In fact, stability control systems used on many cars now do this by reducing the amount of torque sent to the inner wheel - this means that you actually corner slower than you could do. SH-AWD lets you corner faster.

On the over-run, you don’t need that, and less power is sent through the outer wheel for optimum stability. But that isn’t enough because when a car corners, the outer wheels have to travel further than the inner ones - by 5-10% on very tight corners, so the outer wheel normally goes slower.

Honda overcomes this with some gears in the back axle gear set which actually drive the outer wheel faster when cornering! This improves maneuverability and cornering at low speeds.

Electro-magnetic multi-plate clutches

All this is accomplished by multi-plate clutches operated electro-magnetically - a world first - and the gear/clutch set used for acceleration. In fact, these gears also serve as the rear differential.

An advantage of the electro-magnetic clutches is that the electronic controller does not need to control a hydraulic actuation system as used normally but an electric actuator - this reduces cost and weight.

Is this the best thing since sliced bread? For the person who wants to have stability and control, and doesn’t want to know what is happening to the car -yes. Such a system is bound to reduce the input the driver gets from the road.

He will be less aware of whether the surface is slippery, or whether the car is understeering more than usual because the SH-AWD system is correcting things all the time.

Type R model expected in Derby by early spring.

THE hotly-anticipated Honda Civic Type R will go on sale in March and everything points to it being well worth the wait.

Honda promises that it will be just as exhilarating to drive as the outgoing Type R while being a more refined super hatchback, with improved comfort levels.

Integrated styling and handling tuned for enhanced responsiveness and predictability are among its other strengths.

The model will be powered by the naturally-aspirated, high-revving 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine that powers the current Type R, but the unit has been significantly reworked to improve responsiveness using a new balancer shaft and drive-by-wire throttle control.

Maximum power is now 201PS, reached at 8.000rpm (previously 200PS at 7.400rpm) and Honda reports the car is more responsive generally, while improved aerodynamics ensure it cuts through the air more cleanly. Slightly lower gearing compensates for a small increase in kerb weight.

Acceleration figures are expected to be virtually identical to the 6.6 second 0-62mph time of the outgoing car - and the new car should match its top speed too, powering on to 146mph.

There’s little doubt the model will attract much attention in the street thanks in part to seven-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels and a deep front spoiler incorporating a larger air intake.

A body-coloured tailgate rear spoiler follows the kick-up line from the rear quarter windows in providing added down-force. At the front, a black honeycomb mesh grille replaces the glass panel of other Civics.

While more discreet than on the outgoing car, Type R logos feature throughout.

Firstly, the front brake callipers wear the insignia, and stainless steel inserts on the door sills also carry the badge. Inside, it’s all about the driving experience. Front seats are racing-style buckets with large black alcantara bolsters and red stitching, red fabric seat cushions and backs.

The effective dual-zone, two tier dash, which is common to other Civic models, also features in the latest Type R, but with red illuminated dials set off by gun-metal effect switch panels on either side of the central display. The gearshift knob with aluminium-finish has a black boot with red stitching. Expect to see the new model at Lookers Honda in Derby next March. Prices have yet to be announced.

Introduction

A scooter, which is considered lightweight, and yet sturdy, is the Buzzaround scooter. This is a type of scooter, which is a bit new on the market. The Buzzaround is manufactured by Golden Technologies manufactures. Some people also call it the Golden Buzzaround.

Gasoline power scooters, being around for a longer period have grown more familiar to mass; however, when it’s an electric scooter in question, often the owners find themselves flabbergasted when their little pets grow disobedient. Little do they realize that certain little measures can get rid of the problems that cause botheration every now and then. Read on to find out more…

What should be done?

To keep an electric scooter up an running:

One should keep the tires inflated properly since smaller tires lose air pressure fast. This may result in the tube rotating inside the tire during both braking and acceleration; as a result, the valve stem may get destroyed. Also, this shall require the motor to work harder resulting in burnt armatures or brushes.

The battery must be charged frequently and after it returns to the room temperature. Heat damages batteries, hence, cooling it is recommended before charging.

Tension on the drive belt/chain must match the manufacturer’s specification. Looseness causes slippage and shortens the life of the chain/belt, therefore, move the rear tire forward or backward to leave approximately one-half to one-quarter inch gap while pressing against the middle of the span. A center position is also much required; if it does not ride against the side of the belt hubs on the motor or rear tire, it may jump up on the edge and can lock the wheel.

Throttle and brake linkages require light (or right) lubrication to prevent binding.

It’s foolish to ride electric scooters through wet surfaces; the water or mud can damage the electrical components.

To get rid of minor problems like:

Interrupted power: It can be a loose or broken connection or a battery with low charge. The second case is not that troublesome; however, if it’s a broken connection, then expose the wiring from the top and check for the broken linkage; it can also be a failed controller box or a malfunctioning master switch. Except for the controller box, the rest should be made subject to replacement. Apart from the above-mentioned points, it can also be that the wires behind fuse assembly are subjected to a loose connection to the battery.

You’ve likely heard one of those chaos theory statements such as “If a pigeon lands on a statue in Trafalgar Square, and at the same time a tree falls in Yellowstone Park, then it will rain on Mount Kilimanjaro.” Baffling, isn’t it? Well, such is the nature of chaos theory. But higher prices for fuel at the pump are absolutely causing more and more people to sit at traffic lights that won’t change for them. It’s a very direct cause and effect issue – not at all chaos theory.

Unfortunately, people not being able to trigger traffic lights to cycle to green has the effect of causing more gasoline to be consumed/wasted. This raises the demand for fuel, which as we have seen, causes the prices to go up even further. It’s an unattractive loop, to be sure. And let’s not forget about the many other negative aspects of getting stuck at traffic signals that won’t change such as irritation; excessive engine temperatures and overheating; frustration; additional green house gas emissions; excessive engine wear; carbon build-up, and so on.

Let’s take a look at how high gas prices are affecting traffic signals. When regular unleaded gas hit $3 per gallon, with spikes as high as $4 in places around the USA, people started buying smaller means of transportation. Motorcycles, mopeds, small cars, and small trucks, with their miserly fuel behaviors, became much more desirable, and much more common on the streets and highways. It’s a logical occurrence. If you own a vehicle that gets 15 miles per gallon, and you trade for one that gets just 18 miles per gallon, you stand to save hundreds of dollars a year on gas spending.

One of the reasons that smaller cars and trucks are so much more fuel efficient is that they use lightweight, high-tech alloys, plastics, and rubbers to construct them. There is no argument that new materials and construction techniques make today’s vehicles eminently better than those of the past – and certainly more fuel efficient. However, the lack of (1)iron in these modern marvels of transportation makes it a real problem to trigger traffic lights. It’s not the lower weight of these vehicles, it’s actually the lack of iron. This makes it easy to see why motorcyclists, bicyclists, and moped riders have always had difficulty when it comes to triggering green lights. But let me explain further…

Since early in the 1960’s, the overwhelming majority of the controlled traffic signals in the United States are regulated by very large, very weak electromagnets. Electromagnets that are used to sense iron, instead of lift it, are called “inductive loops.” These loops most often appear at controlled intersections as large rectangles (outlined in black) in the road.

Inductive loops, like all magnets, detect iron - not aluminum, rubber, plastic, weight, mass, titanium, etc. Small cars and trucks, as well as motorcycles and mopeds, rarely have enough iron close enough to the ground to cause the inductive loop to detect their presence at the intersection – ergo, the light does not trip. Now for the solution to the problem.

Each Signal Sorcerer® traffic light changer (available at www.signalsorcerer.com) generates and directs a very powerful field that causes the traffic signal controlling inductive loops to detect the vehicle it’s attached to, and initiate a signal cycle change. Signal Sorcerer® traffic light changers have been a must-have motorcycle and moped accessory around the world for years, but now that so many small cars and trucks are on the road, they are becoming the new ‘must-have’ accessory for four-wheeled vehicles.

Signal Sorcerer® traffic light changers install in about two minutes, and require no special tools. Everything needed comes with the each traffic light changer. No electricity, no wiring, no maintenance, a lifetime of service, legal everywhere, EPA compliant, DOT compliant, and the internationally famous Iron Horseman Technologies guarantee of your complete satisfaction.

(1) Iron: ferrite, chemical symbol Fe – used in the making of steels. Ferrite used to be a primary component of steels, but now, with newer, more efficient and stronger materials available, ferrite is rather rare.

Signal Sorcerer® is a registered trademark of Iron Horseman Technologies. Iron Horseman Technologies® is the registered trademark of Iron Horseman Technologies.

Latest super-sports car from England is the Caparo Freestream supercar, which will have a power-to-weight ratio of 1,000 bhp per ton! The Bugatti Veyron which has 1,001 bhp manages about 560 bhp per tonne, so how you can see that the Caparo is streets ahead of any other supercar in power-to-weight ratio, and that is what makes cars accelerate fast. And fast acceleration is very exciting, and can also improve safety of the car in some circumstances.

So how does the Caparo do it? Not with 2,000 bhp because the car would weigh at least 2.5 tons, which would miss the target. In fact, Bugatti has demonstrated that sheer power means a lot of weight, particularly in the transmission and brakes.

To get a high power-to-weight-ratio you need a light car. And why is a high power-to-weight-ratio important? Because it dictates how fast the car accelerates flat out. A car with a high power-to-weight-ratio can cover the ground quicker because it gets out of corners fast and accelerates up the straights faster. So long as the handling is good, the car will be very fast anywhere.

Lightweight solution

Instead of going for a big engine with masses of power, the designers, who worked on the McLaren F1, have gone for ultra lightweight and a compact V-8 engine based on F1 technology. The result is a pencil-slim car with 480 bhp at 10,500 rpm from a supercharged 2.4 liter engine, and a weight of under 1,100 lb. Both the new engine and transmission are very light, as are all the components. The very narrow body without fully enclosed fenders also reduces weight.

The whole design concept has been aimed at reducing weight, ore not putting in things that add weight. First, the power train is very light compared with mass-production units. Then, the carbon fiber body/chassis is also much lighter than most, as designers without Grand Prix experience tend to over-design their structures. Also, because the power train is light, the loads on the body are lower, so again less weight does not need to be built into the structure.

It has a very narrow cockpit, with the passenger sitting slightly behind the driver to reduce width, so this is more of a track racer or trackday special than a road car. Even so, this car changes the concept of exotic cars to where it should be - ultra-lightweight, compactness and exciting performance round twisty roads or circuits.

To save weight they have adopted a narrow coupe body with cycle-type front mudguards, and side-mounted radiators which flow into the rear fenders.

In fact, these are all factors used by Colin Chapman to design the early Lotus cars, and since used by all racing car companies. In other words, the Caparo Freestream really takes advantage of Grand Prix technology to build a supercar.

The Caparo Freestream looks very unusual, but if you want sheer performance this is it! The makers say the car will hit 200 mph, and accelerate from a standing start of 100 mph in 5.5 seconds!! Holy mackerel that is fast. Oh, and they also say that owing to the downforce available, the T1 will be able to corner and brake at 3g - incredible. This tremendous cornering power and braking would not be possible without the use of Grand Prix design principles.

On top of all that, Caparo, which produces a lot of components for the auto industry, have priced the Freestream at about $320,000 (£176,000).