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New clutch = less broken half-shafts?
Buried in the IndyCar.com article regarding the new muffler system (that I'm still of two minds about) are some details about a new optional clutch system for 2009. The previous system was a metallic (sintered) clutch. The new option is a full carbon clutch. Here's what Les Mactaggart, tech director for the IRL, had to say about its performance:
It gives you a much more progressive take-up in drive as well, so it's kinder on your gearbox components and your driveshafts. So there's potentially an added benefit in longevity of other transmission components.Might this progressive take-up alleviate some of the snapped half-shaft issues that Marco and Tomas have had in seasons past? It would seem that if the clutch were able to slip a bit on take-off that the torque on the half-shaft would be reduced, thus reducing the force couple where the gearbox mates to the half-shaft.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gilbert K. Arnold on -
Hmmm... it would appear based on what Les said that there may be less torque transmitted abruptly to the gear boxes and the half-shafts. But even if the take-up is much more progressive rest assured someone will try to do a full throttle dump of the clutch and probably bust a half-shaft anyway.. I'm being cynical here. :)
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