The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-07-28
AUTODES|GNERS
LEARNFROM
RACERS
Machines Built for Speed De-
veIop Improvements Later
Used in Standard Cars.

The average motor-racing enthu-
ton that automobile engineers and
car producers enter the field of
track competition for the sole pur-
pose of securing added prestige and
publicity for their cars. Contact
with engineers who have had con
siderable experience in the racing
game soon i1npresses one with an
entirely different viewpoint.
The striving for maximum power
and speed from a given size Of car
and engine results in a struggle Of
wits and genius that brings in
creased efficiency and performance
to the standard car ultimately. The
race track is a laboratory where in
tensive research can be conducted
in a limited amount of time.
Duesenberg's Discoveries.
Fred Duesenberg, whose race cars
have played a prominent part in
international racing, recently ad.
dressed the Society of Automotive
Engineers and presented several in
teresting pages from the book of
experience that racing has written
for him. He said that efficient COM
bustion chamber forms with prop
erly located valves and spark plugs
are essential to the attainment Of
high speed. Pistons, connecting rods
and crankshaft must be carefully
designed for light weight, strength
and perfect balance. fabrication is
of paramount Importance and all
bearings must be of ample size to
Withstand the rigorous service de-
manded of them on the track. Elk
haust and intake manifolds must be
especially proportional and carbur-
eters must be very efficient. All
of the engineering fundamentals en-
countered on the race track recur
in passenger car practice, though
their order of Importance may be
materially altered. Racing cars
must steer easily. The comfort and
safety of the driver must not be
overlooked, for an uncomfortable
driver cannot conserve his energy
for the exacting demands Of race
plotting.
Weight Reduction Important.
The reduction of inspiring weight
is important in racing cars. Re-
ducing the weight of the rear axle
on one of the Duesenberg cars in
creased its maximum speed from 11S
to 121 miles per hour. In another
instance, changing from 34x4h to
S3x5 tires increased one cars speed
on the Indianapolis track with a re-
duction in engine speed. The cush-
Joining effect of the larger tires pre-.
vented slippage and bouncing of the
wheels. Mr.. Duesenberg credited
Jimmy Murphy's Irish grit with a
greater part in the winning of the
French Grand Prix than the four
wheel brakes with which his car was
equipped. Offsetting the crankshaft
from the cylinder center three
eighths inch in the direction of ro
tation was a feature of the Grand
Prix cars. This seemed to improve
the engine torque at low speeds
from to per cent.
Accidental Discoveries.
Seemingly insignificant changes
often result in great increases in
power. At one time Mr.. Duesen
berg was working on an engine that
developed 145 horsepower at 2,60C
revolutions per minute. This result
did Dot meet his expectations and al
manner of changes and adjustments
were tried with little improvement
Quite by accident Mr.. Duesenbere
inserted a stick in the bottom OF
the carbureter and the power output
jumped Immediately. A stream line
form was constructed and fitted over
the carbureter jet bar in place OF
the stick. With this slight change
the power reached 1856 horsepower
at $500 revolutions per minute. Ir
another instance, power was in
creased materially by merely length
ening the short intake pipes that
project below the carbureters. AL