Quote:
Originally Posted by Misti
That's an excellent idea!  What are your thoughts on why lap records can stand for many years despite the fact that technology is always evolving? |
I can think of a few reasons:
1. track conditions. Often records are broken shortly after a track is resurfaced or similarly treated. On the other hand, as a track ages the available traction, viable lines, etc. all become less compliant and make record setting laps harder.
2. physical limits. For example: as amazing as modern brakes are we're still on Earth, which means applied braking forces are limited by the raw physics of Newton. Bikes can't add downforce as effectively as F1 vehicles and such, which means that braking can't go much past 1G. Top level, record setting riders are generally pushing these physical limits, not bike technology limits.
3. related to the previous, technology tends to help riders but it can't replace them. No matter how good your traction control if a rider adds throttle and lean they're going to risk having a bad day. Top level riders have usually been riding many years and so in some cases the gains are more limited (autoblippers on downshifts are great, but those riders have hit the point where they aren't losing much to do it by hand) and in other cases requires adaptation and tuning to find what allows the technology to be brought effectively to use at a record pace level.
4. weakest link issues. Related to the previous topics, lap record pace riders generally have figured out how to get the most out of their machines and as such can end up in a weakest link situation. If you get a new tire compound it may give some benefit but if the limiting factor is coming from the suspension or engine power curve then it just gives "wiggle room" and doesn't raise the ceiling on the top pace.
and a bonus for fun:
5. "weird" physical issues. For example:
https://interestingengineering.com/s...s-in-swimming/ -- things like heat expansion can actually change factors like the physical length of the track. While I doubt this comes into play very often or very much it is one of those things that does happen and could contribute.