Rain in the cockpit?

SubieKid · 13 Nov 2004, 05:41 (Ref:1152205)

Hey, new here, and I'm working on a project involving formula one. While learning about the cockpit (great explanation on the site!) I found myself wondering about what happens to rain when it makes its way into the cockpit. Now, I've seen a formula car up close and never noticed any sort of drainage holes, so where does it go? This is assuming they don't simply let it pool in the car, but I would think that the last thing the team wants to explain is why thier driver drowned during the race. I'd appreciate any explanations, and I'm sorry if this is WTLW, I ran a search before posting.

**Peter Mallett** · 13 Nov 2004, 07:36 (Ref:1152235)

Welcome to our friendly forum SubieKid.

Good question and one I can't answer categorically but from my experience (many years ago) in FFord you got wet when travelling slowly and you got wet when turning a corner because the water was thrown back into your face. However once on the move you dried out because the rain was carried over and around the car.

And the water you were sitting in soon got warm from your own body heat.

luke · 13 Nov 2004, 10:52 (Ref:1152307)

Welcome to the forum SubieKid.

To be honest I'm not all that sure but I think in an F1 car you have a vacuum affect because drivers get very hot in their cars but the cold air doesn’t enter the cockpit because F1 cars aerodynamics are not designed to create turbulence.
I would think it's the same with rain.

Kicking-back · 13 Nov 2004, 12:08 (Ref:1152364)

If it was raining so hard that a car could fill up with water, they'd stop the race - it would me a monsoon!

luke · 13 Nov 2004, 12:15 (Ref:1152371)

I don't know if it's the same for F1 but in wet racing in karting if it's raining to hard the engines userly fill up with water and affectively cut out.

Kicking-back · 13 Nov 2004, 12:21 (Ref:1152373)

I remember Gerhard Berger retiring from a race because of water in the spark plugs.

luke · 13 Nov 2004, 12:30 (Ref:1152380)

I think it's less off an issue in F1 because the engine and all the parts are covered up but they can still get in through the radiators.
Where as in karting the engine and components are on display userly in pit stops in endurance races in the wet we userly tip the kart up and let all of the trapped water out.

But obviously it's less of an issue in F1.

npperk · 13 Nov 2004, 13:53 (Ref:1152432)

Quote:

Originally posted by luke
Where as in karting the engine and components are on display userly in pit stops in endurance races in the wet we userly tip the kart up and let all of the trapped water out.

When I start seeing F1 cars being tipped over by teams to empty water from the engine etc., then I know the world really has gone mad.

luke · 13 Nov 2004, 13:57 (Ref:1152437)

Try lifting 600+kg.

**Tim Falce** · 13 Nov 2004, 15:25 (Ref:1152482)

You wouldn't get any rain in the cockpit except when the car is stationary, which during a race is minimal. When they wait on the grid they have someone to hold an umbrella over the driver and cockpit.

DavidStHubbins · 13 Nov 2004, 15:41 (Ref:1152484)

Two weird years in Formula Ford in the UK and I never had a problem with rain in the cockpit, and it rained all the ****ing time. I must admit I had never thought about why my cockpit didnt fill up until now! Guess there are more important implications regarding rain and crashing to my death etc..

Obviously an F1 car is going to have a different cockpit but I would say the speed they go it would have to rain not just in drops but for the whole sky to be one eternal giant God-raindrop for it to be a problem.

Hope that helps?! You can quote that last bit if you want for your project..

You'll fail as a result but the offer is extended.

flor · 13 Nov 2004, 18:22 (Ref:1152577)

ive seen Nick Heidfeld driving with a rain coat in F3 testing

SubieKid · 13 Nov 2004, 18:29 (Ref:1152581)

Wow, I wonder what the team's faces would look like if you ask them...

Well, thanks for all your help guys, I think I've got enough info to explain the effect now.

Kicking-back · 13 Nov 2004, 18:32 (Ref:1152588)

Quote:

Originally posted by flor
ive seen Nick Heidfeld driving with a rain coat in F3 testing

I hope it was fireproof

luke · 13 Nov 2004, 18:59 (Ref:1152605)

Yeah but even waterproofs are no good you still get soaked.

Korr · 13 Nov 2004, 20:50 (Ref:1152675)

Even if rain did get on the seat, making the driver's arse wet, the heat from the engine would soon dry it out.

Schumi once commented that he'd pee his pants (you try and hold it thru a 4g turn!)and it was no big deal because he'd soon be dry from the heat.

DavidStHubbins · 14 Nov 2004, 08:10 (Ref:1152989)

Irvine did a dump once. Fantastic!

luke · 14 Nov 2004, 10:57 (Ref:1153091)

Thank you for puting me off my breakfast.

Nicholosophy · 14 Nov 2004, 13:02 (Ref:1153187)

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidStHubbins
Irvine did a dump once. Fantastic!

I assume you mean he dumped the clutch.

:confused:

DavidStHubbins · 14 Nov 2004, 13:20 (Ref:1153199)

Of course. I don't want to be sued. I meant after the race anyway.

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