Only the automatic functions of the gearbox are to be banned (programmed upshifts and downshifts, traction and launch control); the design will continue to be paddle-shift semi-automatic. How they could police the ban (seems that most of these functions are software driven) is another matter.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by wickerbill
offroadr35, you're not inferring that they are going to have a separate clutch pedal by their feet and a shift lever to shift are you?

 

rai, read my post. There still is a clutch button on the wheel. It's not used much, as the cars are launched out of the pits and starting grid. The button is mainly used for getting into and out of the garage.

True manuals aren't returning - just the automation of the clutchless manuals is being taken away. Enforcement is another issue.

 

In the past, the teams were required to allow FIA officials access to the computer code. They did this when they didn't want ABS and traction control used. I remember one team refusing to give them access and the FIA said either provide it, or you will not be racing until you do. The team did cave in.

 

I'm not up on all the technicalities, but here's my understand of the cars.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by simons2k
[B]How do these cars shift?

 

The clutch itself is used on every shift - but for most (99.9%) of them, the computer is hydraulically disengaging and reengaging the clutch. The vehicle is never power shifted (CART drivers typically power shift 4-5-6).

The only time a driver manually operates the clutch 'pedal' is to feather the vehicle out of the garage area.

 

The most common way for clutchless shifting is to cut power, shift and then restore power. You can but those devices for motorcycles, push a button and it shifts. It cuts the power though, otherwise it will take more effort to get out of gear and getting it into gear will be hard. The shift dogs could be bent and a high possibility of a missed shift. CART used the cut the power technique several years ago; probably still do since the engine now used is virtually the same.

 

Straight-cut gears.

 

In CART, the shift knob has a microswitch that cuts the power for a split second when they upshift to allow them to shift up in ALL gears without having to use the clutch or lift off of the gas pedal. It's not really power shifting since the engine is being cut for a split second. They also don't use the clutch when downshifting, but the drivers do have to push the gas to rev match.

 

Eli, they are mandated to have a reverse gear. You can see them using it sometimes if they spin off the track or in the pits.