Open-wheel car

A Monoposto ( single seater Italian ) is a racing car with a single seat in many race homologation demands more seats, although only in rallies an additional seat is occupied.

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile sees in its Formule Libre or Free Formula single-seater for the greatest freedom before, restricts her body a little, and distinguishes them from two-seater racing, which they called sports cars.

History

In 1911 was obtained with a single-seater to 39 -seater racing car more at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the race, the Indianapolis 500 as a term has become. Its designer Ray Harroun had taken a passenger provided a rear view mirror. Through this idea had his Marmon Wasp less mass and better aerodynamics.

Already in 1913 was the successful single-seater Peugeot with DOHC, timing chain and dry sump lubrication even more impressive aerodynamics. For several decades Monopostos maintained a high narrow body.

That changed with the move away from the narrow ladder frame. The Mercedes -Benz W 196 brought a fairly wide screen frame, and it went even further: Depending on the round course different bodies were ridden with or without wings. The aerodynamically shaped wings, the top speed increased, but without wings, the driver curves can see the front wheel at the roadside.

When Mercedes -Benz had got back from Formula 1 after the second season and the second World Champion title under tied to such an effort. Since then must be driven in most racing classes for Monopostos without wheel cover. In English we distinguish single- seater and open-wheel cars.

In later years, a lively competition developed to reduce this aerodynamic disadvantage, which even led to Monopostos with six wheels.

In 1990, the single-seater Tyrrell 019 by Harvey Postlethwaite and Jean -Claude Migeot ushered in a new era of aerodynamics, by the front of his monocoque was raised to lead the displaced air under the vehicle. This design is now also seen in sports car racing, although it is limited in the two-seater racing implement.