Monitoring the Key to New Race Series

Variohm Components is supplying sensors for a new series of races which are designed with the television viewer in mind.

Variohm Components is supplying sensors for a new series of races which are designed with the television viewer in mind.

Designated the European Roadster Challenge (EUROC) series, this competition has been devised in conjunction with the German Language television channel SAT.1.

Designed by the Italian racing car manufacturer Dallara, the EUROC cars will each utilise a 4 litre, eight cylinder, 560 BHP engine.

Unlike Formula 1, the EUROC series will allow the viewer to monitor pit-to-car conversations and have access to all the on-board data logging information, this latter area is where the Variohm supplied sensors are used.

All the EUROC cars will have exactly the same data logging system supplied by a company called MM Competition, that monitors suspension performance, steering wheel position and gear selection.

The inputs to the data logging system will be derived from rotary and linear sensors supplied by Variohm .

Each vehicle's suspension will be monitored using Variohm's VLP series units, which are available in stroke lengths from 25mm to 300mm.

The EUROC cars will use 100mm units, which are fitted in parallel to the dampers by means of spheric rod end bearings.

Steering wheel inputs are monitored using the Contelec model GL300 hollow shaft potentiometers fitted directly to the steering column so that every twitch is captured and displayed for all to see.

All of the EUROC carts will be using gearboxes with sequential gear selection.

The position of each gear is determined using the same Novotechnik SP2800 series potentiometer, which is commonly used throughout Formula 1.

All of these potentiometers are high quality Conductive Plastic units offering long life, high repeatability and are capable of working under the very harsh conditions experienced by race cars.

Variohm Components supply special versions, which incorporate high temperature connecting wires and waterproof boots.

This type of application is extremely valuable as far as Variohm is concerned as it demonstrates the reliability of their products under the most extreme operating conditions and helps boost customer confidence in the suitability of this technology for more down-to-earth applications such as machine monitoring and control.

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