Monza's gruelsome first chicane

Monza is really a cool and fast track, except for that first chicane between the main straightaway and Curva Grande. The Charger got up to 170 mph on the straight, but I had to slow it down to as little as 40 mph to get through here. Trying to keep the momentum made the Dodge roll quite a bit. If you look close (or click on the picture to enlarge it), you can see that the front right tyre is barely touching the ground!

Photo: Don Cann (Vintage Motorsports Magazine)

Comments

[Don Cann]

Hi Christophe,
This was a really great spot to see you work the Charger through the esses! What a workout! The Hemi pulled cleaner on exit as you whipped it harder through here as the race progressed. Seems like you could have used a little more gear, or some really trick manifold work on that big 'ol bathtub! What fun to see the big Dodge with all the Lolas and Porsches here!
L8R
Don
PS-I have a pic with more air under the right front. I need a new computer though-typing this at work-ha!

[Christophe]

Don,

thanks, I'm glad that you liked the Monza race ;-) You are absolutely right, the gearing was a bit too tall for Monza. We had the Le Mans 2.80:1 gears. 3.00:1 would have been perfect. Please send me the pic with more air under the front tyre. I'd love to feature it here!

[Don Cann]

Christophe,

I will be glad to send it and others as soon as my computer problems are straightened out. I bet working with your plenum volume/max RPM ratio and maybe some popsicle sticks would get you off the apexes harder with crisper throttle response. It sounds like the air/fuel mix slows to a crawl in that huge plenum when you are in the slow corners, and takes a second to regain some velocity and clean up on the corner exits. Just a thought-you might have wheelspin problems if it came on too hard out of the slow corners anyhow... Any word on LeMans yet? Stay in touch friend.
Don