KERS = Kinetic Energy Recovery System

The main challenge of flywheels in cars is that the gyroscopic forces affect cornering and/or suspension, depending on orientation. This is not really a problem in drag racing.

I fully understand that no high-octane fan wants this, but it would be awesome to see teams from MIT et al tear up a quarter mile powered by washing machine parts and phone batteries.
-- marklar, May 19 2018

SSP dragsters http://www.retroland.com/ssp-racers/
[2 fries shy of a happy meal, May 21 2018]

With bicycle babes Flywheel-Powered_20Dragster
in bikinis [farble, May 22 2018]

A pair of contra-rotating gyros can be used to cancel precession effects, though the forces on the containing structure are fearsome.

The vehicles will be interesting - ultra-light, apart from the huge flywheels and transmission; electric drive might be best.
-- 8th of 7, May 19 2018


I think this was the theme for an episode of scrapheap challenge. They didn't go very fast.
-- mitxela, May 19 2018


The clutch would need to be huge.
-- RayfordSteele, May 19 2018


I think you would probably need a CVT of some sort, or even an IVT (infinitely variable transmission; I have read about one, but I can't find a link...).
-- neutrinos_shadow, May 20 2018


Files?
-- pertinax, May 21 2018


... and hello, [marklar]; haven't seen you in ages!
-- pertinax, May 21 2018


// Files? //

Presumably, high-friction devices, to grip the surface when the flywheel contacts it.

Note that the forward velocity of the vehicle can never in that case exceed the initial circumferential velocity of the flywheel.
-- 8th of 7, May 21 2018


I thought we did this one once... man-powered though if I remember correctly.

Somebody posted a link to SSP racers.
hmmm maybe I can find it that way.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, May 21 2018


Nope. Either the idea has been deleted or I'm just switching Universes again.

Anyway, here's the SSP Racer, (my brother and I got these one year for Christmas, coolest toy ever) [link].
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, May 21 2018


I posted an idea like this years ago, but not in the motorsports category because, I thought, no motor. I like the change from babes in bikinis to MIT nerds, a sign of the times.
-- farble, May 22 2018


This is really damned clever. Would make a great TV spot on one of those fun science shows like "Outrageous Acts Of Science" or "Mythbusters".
-- doctorremulac3, May 22 2018


... or "Car Crash TV" ...
-- 8th of 7, May 22 2018



random, halfbakery