Just for fun

[DARISC]

You have exclusive access to a delicious, curvilinear, ten mile stretch of road that runs east and west (or north and south, doesn't matter).

Your best time when driving the road from east to west is significantly less than your best time when driving the road from west to east (you are the only car on the unpatrolled road and weather conditions are identical).

Why? This isn't a trick question.

[Bill Douglas]

East to West is driving uphill?

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

East to West is driving uphill?

Damn you, Bill Douglas, thread killer!!!

Yup. Assuming that sufficient hp is on hand to obviate the uphill/downhill factor, what physics apply to the difference?

[porsche4life]

Going with versus against the spin of the earth?

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Going with versus against the spin of the earth?

Going east west, a teensy weensy bit, but no, not the answer I'm looking for.

[HHI944]

It's evening and the setting sun is obstructing your vision enough to cause caution in your driving....

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by HHI944

It's evening and the setting sun is obstructing your vision enough to cause caution in your driving....

Just throw the hammer down and crack another beer ya pansy!

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Just throw the hammer down and crack another beer ya pansy!

HA!

Nope, equal visibility either way.

[DARISC]

Within basic physics lies the answer.

[porsche4life]

I don't particularly abide by the laws of physics...

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

I don't particularly abide by the laws of physics...

Good luck w/breaking the law of gravity. That really, really sucks!

[bell]

The sun was in my eyes.....

[madmmac]

You are driving in a circle staying in your own lane. Outside lane would be longer.

[ckissick]

You're a NASCAR driver and one direction has all left hand turns and... you get the picture.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by madmmac

You are driving in a circle staying in your own lane. Outside lane would be longer.

Originally Posted by ckissick

You're a NASCAR driver and one direction has all left hand turns and... you get the picture.

Nope. Picture a Nurburgring image; idyllic twisties, sports car cocaine, whether you're driving up or downhill - you will always be able to drive uphill faster. Whyzat?

[Jim Bremner]

Originally Posted by DARISC

You have exclusive access to a delicious, curvilinear, ten mile stretch of road that runs east and west (or north and south, doesn't matter).

Your best time when driving the road from east to west is significantly less than your best time when driving the road from west to east (you are the only car on the unpatrolled road and weather conditions are identical).

Why? This isn't a trick question.

Add more HP and brakes and throttle UP!

[madmmac]

Going the one direction you can't stay in the power band as long or effectively.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by Jim Bremner

Add more HP and brakes and throttle UP!

This is a nonsequitur response to the question (no offense intended).

Given whatever you have to drive (assuming more than ample HP is available), your best time uphill will always exceed your best time downhill.

The question is, what principles of physics dictate that this will always be the case?

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by madmmac

Going the one direction you can't stay in the power band as long or effectively.

Why not?

Regardless, not the answer I'm looking for.

A tip to the answer resides, quite clearly, in a previous post.

[madmmac]

Elevation changes, off camber corners...etc. One direction + the other -