Motorsports-related research paper for school

Hi all, I'm in some deep....mess...and I need some help getting some resources for my research project. My topic is How does racing affect the auto industry?

Basically, I'm looking for any sources of information that give me insight on different technologies and car styles that came from racing. I'm looking across Formula 1, sports cars/endurance, oval, and off-road racing. This includes everything from mechanical to aerodynamic to aesthetics.

Any and all help is appreciated!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJCOtsSYtdg

you're welcome.

I think the Ferrari F50 and the Ferrari Enzo are a pretty good bet, loads of F1 tech in them (F50 especially)

Failing that, Mclarens new car uses Carbon Fibre technology from its F1 cars....

Great suggestions, but I'm more looking for down-to-earth things. I'm wondering if essential pieces that we have in todays' cars came from racing.

That actually sounds like a fun assignment! Haha. I found a link which MIGHT have what you're looking for, but its kinda a generalization of lots of things. I haven't read it all 100% completely, but it may help get the juices flowing so read at your own risk .

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2732321/comparing_the_anatomy_of_a_formula1.html?cat=27

Side note, it may not be "standard" but many cars today have push button start. That seems like something that may have been influenced by race cars.

Traction control systems are a product of motorsport, I think Anti lock brakes might be too.

Buttons on the steering wheel.

What about things from oval racing and rally/off-road racing?

4WD systems you need to look at cars like the Audi Quattro, you can also draw comparisons between semi-automatic gearboxes in F1 cars and those used on Ferrari road cars and how that sort of tech has filtered over. Tyre technology is largely developed through racing, particularly endurance so maybe look at the tyre companies like Michelin, Pirelli, Hankook for ALMS/LMS examples and Bridgestone for F1.
Don't also forget that KERS and other hybrid systems are becoming increasingly mportant and that is a new tech that is gradually filtering through, so the core example of that would be the 911 Hybrid used at the N24 and PLM. That's a great example of the breed IMO.
Also check out Racecar Engineering, there should be a good few examples floating around there

Look no further than Audi FSI TDI technolgy all devloped @ Le Mans, sports cars pushed in the 80's group c days for better faster more fuel effecient engines, dont mention f1, f1 is no way relevant to road cars, sports cars are the only way in which manfactures demonstrate new technology.

I thought that Power Steering, ABS and TCS was designed for F1 cars and then transferred to road cars no?

Yea, but more relveant ABS and TCS where devloped from sports cars, ie group c days

also lemans back from the 50's to present reasarch new disc brakes, fuel injection, turbos, fuel efficency

TDI technology has improved vastly thanks to Audi and Peugeot at Le Mans. Also not forgetting the 2.0 Litre TDI engine developed for the SEAT works cars Very nice motor in the Golf GTI!

Funnily enough, I am doing a project at School on rotational dynamics, trying to relate moment of inertia with torque, and I'll need to talk to my teacher about ways of measuring the energy output of a flywheel, which leads into Hybrid KERS technology

I'm also going to be gathering data using an accelerometer for a mate at Larkhall by driving his Kart around the track to try and measure the centripetal forces that are experienced in the corners, which would lead to finding the G Forces involved in cornering. Will also be using lots of data for my project, so its a win-win!