Does Manning need power steering?

[MAX_THRUST]

Knowing AJ he should learn to set a car up properly. There is a reason why his team never scores high in races and when they do it is normally down to the driver and being on a road course.

Funny when Darren ran the CART race at Rockingham in 2002 he had never done that many laps in a singal seater around that circuit. He had done plenty in a stock car. He didn't struggle at all. Completely different tracks, team, and car I know. I'm sure he hasn't become so unfit in the last 6 years.

[wedge]

IMO this is a fine example of how high speed open wheel cars should not run on ovals created for cars with fenders. I did not say "no ovals", just high banked ovals built for heavier and bigger cars. The G load is too great.

Take a look at how a Nascar driver sits in the car, upright, arms flexed, steering is closer to the torso, legs are flexed. Then look at an open wheel car with the arms extended, steering farther away and the driver in a modified prone position with legs extended. Try it for yourself. To simulate at home, sit up straight on your couch, take a round weight in both hands and while the arms are flexed, turn it from side to side. Then repeat the task with arms extended while sitting with legs extended nearly laying down. It takes much more upper body and arm strength in an oval car. Add an ill handling car and the effort would increase. Add higher G load and the effort double or tripples.

There was a TV piece aired in Indy during May showing Darren and his trainer at the fitness center at IMS while he was working with upper body and arm strength. I can't say whether it was staged or if he does this regularly.

Food for thought.

Except a stock car is a lot heavier, has bigger steering wheel and requires a different driving style. You see a lot drivers driving with there right arm hooked across at 9/8 o clock.

Open wheelers is have very little room in the cockpit and drive the textbook hand positioning of 9:15.

[Mad_Hatter]

Things ain't looking good in the #14 camp. AJ didn't come to the track and won't turn on his cell phone. During practice 1 Larry Foyt and Manning were having discussions and avoided questioning afterwards.

[NickFalzone]

just heard the IMS radio guys during qualifying discussing this. AJ didn't come to Richmond, he's so ***** from Darren parking the car. Steve King interviewed Larry Foyt and it didn't sound like Darren is in a good place to stay with the team. That said, when AJ cools off, this might not be so drastic. I agree with others saying this most likely is not all Darren's fault, it's the car setup.

[MAX_THRUST]

When is AJ gonna realise his team is slow and cant set a car up? His grandson had a hell of a time with that team.

[dataman1]

Except a stock car is a lot heavier, has bigger steering wheel and requires a different driving style. You see a lot drivers driving with there right arm hooked across at 9/8 o clock.

Open wheelers is have very little room in the cockpit and drive the textbook hand positioning of 9:15.

No argument at all. The point in this was that the tracks were built for the heavier stock cars with their type of driver seating, etc.. Open wheeled cars began on either slightly banked (Indy) or non-banked short ovals. When MIS was built there were high banks but it also had a flat track in the back, time to rest the arms a little. Today they are racing on tracks that are concrete or asphalt bowls, no time to rest the arms.