Car racing is one of the biggest sports in the world, which is watched by millions from across the globe and sees some of the finest car manufacturers go head to head on the race tracks. Whether it’s Formula 1 or rally, the adrenaline filled sport is loved by car fanatics for its specifically built vehicles which are made to handle the tight bends of a race track, as well as travelling at high speeds. As they’re not manufactured for everyday road use, race cars have been modified for the purpose of winning high speed races, but they also come with a large price tag.
Since the sport first began, the industry has attracted an increase in popularity and with this, had an impressive financial boost. With technology constantly evolving and improving, you can see the impact this has had on the majority of sports, not just racing and how it has been utilised. Any form of car has a depth of technology involved within it, to help operate the vehicle from A to B; but now we are seeing technological advances we could only once dream of.
Some of the biggest car manufacturers across the globe are experimenting with autonomous vehicles and if the research and trials end up being a success; could we see autonomous cars not only on our roads, but also on the race tracks? To understand the prospect of autonomous race cars, LeaseCar UK have transformed six of the most well-known race cars into driverless vehicles.
What changes would autonomous racing cars bring to the sport?
The biggest and most obvious change would be the absence of a driver controlling a vehicle, which I’m sure we can all agree, would be difficult to get used to. Since the sport began, all we’ve know is a driver behind the wheel and for some, this brings a big part of the excitement to the sport. I suppose whether or not the absence of a driver would improve or worsen the sport is down to personal preference.
One of the advantages which do come with driverless vehicles is the elimination of any harm coming to the driver. During a race which takes place now, a lot of damage can be done to the vehicle and it can cost a large amount to fix the issues; but it’s more concerning if the person controlling the car is injured. With the prospect of no driver being behind the wheel, the vehicle could potentially hit higher speeds and the design can be made more aerodynamic, as the need for windows would no longer be required.
Could #Autonomous Racing vehicles be used on the tracks?
With the potential of driverless vehicles been used for everyday use, there’s a strong chance they could be introduced into the racing industry, if they become a success. Although extensive research and trials are being carried out by a number of car manufacturers, we’re still a long way off from seeing driverless cars on the market. With car manufacturers improving their vehicles in a range of ways, the thought of autonomous cars may not be as impossible as we once might have imagined.