Tyrrell P34

Tyrrell P34Rétromobile 2017 - Tyrrell P34 - 1977 - 002.jpg
A 1977-specification Tyrrell P34B
Category Formula One
Constructor Tyrrell Racing Organisation
Designer(s) Derek Gardner
Predecessor 007
Successor 008
Technical specifications
Chassis Aluminium monocoque
Suspension (front) Double wishbone, coil springs over dampers, anti-roll bar
Suspension (rear) Double wishbone, radius arms, coil springs over dampers, anti-roll bar
Axle track

Front: 1,234 mm (48.6 in)
Rear: 1,473 mm (58.0 in)

Wheelbase 2,453 mm (96.6 in)
Engine Ford-Cosworth DFV, 2,993 cc (182.6 cu in), 90° V8, NA, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
Transmission Hewland FG400

1976: 5-speed
1977: 6-speed

manual transmission, ZF differential
Weight

1976: 595 kg (1,312 lb)
1977: 620 kg (1,370 lb)

Fuel Elf
Tyres Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants Elf Team Tyrrell
Notable drivers

South Africa Jody Scheckter
France Patrick Depailler
Sweden Ronnie Peterson

Debut 1976 Spanish Grand Prix
Races Wins Podiums Poles F/Laps

Teams' Championships 0
Constructors' Championships 0
Drivers' Championships 0
n.b. Unless otherwise stated, all data refer to
Formula One World Championship Grands Prix only.
The Tyrrell P34 (Project 34), commonly known as the "six-wheeler", was a Formula One (F1) race car designed by Derek Gardner, Tyrrell's chief designer.[1] The car used four specially manufactured 10-inch diameter (254 mm) wheels and tyres at the front, with two ordinary-sized wheels at the back. Along with the Brabham BT46B "fancar" developed in 1978, the six-wheeled Tyrrell was one of the most radical entries ever to succeed in F1 competition and has been called the most recognisable design in the history of world motorsports.[2]
The P34 was introduced in September 1975 and began racing in the 1976 season.[1] It proved successful and led other teams to begin design of six-wheeled platforms of their own. Changes to the design made for the 1977 season made it uncompetitive and the concept was abandoned for Tyrrell's 1978 season. The other six-wheeled designs ended development and F1 rules later stipulated that cars must have four wheels in total. The cars later had some success in various "classics" race events, but today are museum pieces.[1]
Design
For the mid-1970s, F1 stipulated that the maximum width of the front wing was 1.5 m. Considering the needed room for the driver's feet, the steering mechanism, suspension and the normal front tyre size, this meant the front tyres projected above and out to the sides of the wing. P34's basic concept was to use a tyre that would be small enough to fit entirely behind the wing. This would have two effects; one would be to lower overall drag and thus improve speed on straights and the other was to clean up overall aerodynamics so the rear wing would receive cleaner airflow.[3]
However, given the space limitations, such a tyre would have to be quite small; in the final design it was 10 inches (250 mm) in diameter. This had too small a contact patch to offer reasonable cornering performance, which led to the use of four wheels instead of two. Adding more wheels also had the advantage of offering more total brake area. The downside was increased complexity of the steering system and a physically larger suspension system. The steering complexity was solved by connecting only the front pair of wheels to the steering wheel and connecting the rear set to the front with a bell crank. Initially considered to be a problem area, Joel Rosinsky later declared that "The steering is so gentle and absolutely free of reaction that you might have thought it was power-assisted!"[3]

The new design was unveiled at the Heathrow Hotel in late September 1975. The car was initially kept under a tarpaulin with hoops over the wheels to make it look conventional, leading to astonishment when the tarp was pulled off. Some in the audience were convinced the design was a publicity stunt. The car first took to the track at Silverstone on 8 October 1975, and, after more tests, Tyrrell decided to build two more examples with a slightly longer wheelbase to race in the 1976 season.[3]
Race history
Ken Tyrrell inspecting the P34. Note the airbox on the top, which were banned for the 1976 season onwards.
The Tyrrell P34 being driven by Jody Scheckter at the 1976 German Grand Prix
A 1977-spec. Tyrrell P34B at the Silverstone Classic event in 2008.
Source: Wikipedia

свернуть