Efecto suelo

El efecto suelo es un fenómeno que sucede cuando se aprovecha una corriente de aire que está a poca distancia de una superficie inmóvil.

En competición este efecto se usa para generar baja presión por debajo del coche. Para ello se diseña un fondo liso , con una ligera curvatura (para emular un túnel vénturi) que termina en un difusor , que es un ensanchamiento de este conducto que acelera la evacuación de aire.

Antiguamente estaba permitido abusar de este efecto , llegando incluso a sellar el fondo de bólido con faldones flexibles. Esto era muy peligroso , porque los coches con efecto suelo son muy sensibles a las irregularidades del terreno y por ello inestables en baches. Hubieron muchos accidentes y el efecto suelo se limitó drásticamente.

Un ejemplo de los problemas de efecto suelo es este accidente en 1999 en Le Mans:

Ariel Atom

The Atom is the competitiveness in its minimal expression. It lacksin everything superfluous and not as superfluous, such as doors or bodywork. It is a two-seater of 500kg, with mid-engine and tubular chassis. 
And finally, a video, is a test done by the guys from Top Gear .

Pure lightweight , Caterham

Caterham is an english manufacturer ofsports cars. 
Their philosophy is the low weight. And their car is the Super Seven , design bought from the genius of Lotus, Colin Champman. 
Their cars can rival with almost any other higher-priced car, thanks to their unbeatable power to weight ratio. 
This is possible thanks to the elimination of anything superfluous and a high performance chassis, allowing a weight of the entire body close to 500kg. Additionally it has a perfect weight distribution (the engine is in front center position). 
They are also cars with personality, with a controversial design, but it has its charm. 
The photo is of a Super Seven R500 (250cv), capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 in about 2.8 s, with the help of high tecnology  elements such as the Launch Control. 
Then a video of one of these toys in a stage of asphalt rally

80cv x 200 kg

80cv x 200kg = Superkart 
This is a different category, they compete on highly modified karts with 250cc engines of about 80cv engines and aerodynamics. 
The result is an acceleration comparable to an F1 at a price much lower. 
One of these karts can reach over 260 km / h and do curves with 3g of lateral acceleration. 
Next a video of an urban circuit on the Isle of Man on board of one these little monsters.

Isle of Man TT

The Tourist Trophy motorcycle race is different, there is no circuit they race trought the highways and streets of the Isle of Man (Great Britain).It dates back to 1907, but now it is one of the most impressive competitions. Despite all this, it has a dark side , in 100 years of history, 225 people involved in this race have been killed while racing and the organizers did nothing to change it.

Dance in the clouds

The Pikes Peak competition consists in top this American mountain. The begining is approximately 2000m above the sea level, the finish is at 4500m. Its length is about 20 km and there are all kinds of vehicles, cars, buggis, motorcycles, sidecars and so on.Currently a Suzuki has the record, a monster of 1000cv and total traction, which marked a time of 10 min 1s. 
It´s an epic race for the motor fans. Next a video of the great Ari Vatanen with a Peugeot 405 T16 in the 80 , marking a record for 10 years.