Racing Definition Help!? Chicayne

[Huntsman]

I need a definition of chicayne, as in the type of corner in a race. Am having trouble finding a real def. Can anyone give me a source? I am using it in an academic paper on sensual/beautiful qualities in engineering, so I need it cold.

~ Huntsman

 

[j]

A chicane (originally meaning subterfuge) is a sequence of tight serpentine curves (usually an S-shape curve or a bus stop) in a roadway, used in auto racing and on city streets to slow cars. These are usually located after long straightaways, so that they are one of the best spots for overtaking in modern racing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicane

 

[Huntsman]

Thanks, j.

I am an idiot, apparently. I checked my Webster's on the 'subterfuge' spelling, didn't see anything about racing, then Googled the other one, not realizing that Hello! its the same chicane.

Regards,
Huntsman

 

[Full Canvas]

In auto racing, chicanes are often used as devices to reduce straightaway speed's boredom for the drivers and to create visual interest for the spectators due to the chicane's creation of a passing opportunity as noted by j. Auto racing's most nortorious chicanes are the first turn on the GP circuit at Monza, Italy and the Bus Stop chicane on the current circuit's configuration at Spa Francochamps. Belgium.

You might also think of a chicane in downhill skiing or mountain biking. The same drama is added with the use of chicanes in each of these sports.
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[A Y]

In F1, chicanes are used to reduce speed for the next corner (in the name of safety), and also spoils overtaking, so they actually make a race more boring in that case.

--Andre

 

[Full Canvas]

Originally Posted by Andre Yew

In F1, chicanes are used to reduce speed for the next corner (in the name of safety), and also spoils overtaking, so they actually make a race more boring in that case.
--Andre

In general, your remark is true for F1 only. The notable F1 exceptions being the two chicanes I mentioned above. F1 spectators pack the stands to see the action of not only overtaking at both of these chicanes, but the gymnastics of various drivers putting a wheel onto the curbs near at the turn's apex.

The real action at chicanes comes in the touring car races (BTCC, DTM, and WTCC) as well as many supporting races with the smaller formula cars (Formula 3, Formula Renault) and sports cars (ALM).

However, I recall from some of your prior posts that you often elect a seat offering more thrills than any spectator in the stands can claim. Myself, I haven't been on a track since 1978. At that time, very few circuits had chicanes.

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[Joffrey]

FYI, They're getting rid of the Bus Stop chicane at SPA.

 

[Fabienne]

The first meaning in French has to do with lawyer tactics aimed at complicating matters to their advantage. There's another close meaning that is close to "contesting in bad faith". It also means a fight, a quarrel. And the term is used in skiing (slalom). It's also a term in bridge.

 

[Nostromov]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicane

Thanks, j.

Yeah, thanks, but I've read the Wiki - searched the web - and checked all of the dictionary (& other) definitions and I still don't get it... Whether it's an "S" (type) corner, a speed-brake in the track (whatever that means, because every corner is -virtually- a speed-brake); or WTF. - it is. ;$

I mean, I get it (not that stupid, yes), however - why isn't a U-turn and its (other-way) curved exit a "chicane" - is a 3-turn, S-turn, a triple "chicane" - how about a 4-turn: is it a double "chicane", or a quadruple one; or, do they not make 'em that way... Why not. You know, what is up with using "chicane"? o.0

A-turn-is-a-turn-is-a-turn #IsACornerIsACornerIsABend

P.S. A race car "corners", "turns", it doesn't "chicane" around the bend, ffs. xD

P.P.S.

A chicane is an artificial feature creating extra turns in a road, used in motor racing and on streets to slow traffic for safety.

... Yet, like, 90% of (racing) accidents happen exactly at a chicane (Not everyone is crazy: "McLaren Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh feels that placing high speed corners after straights is a better option than using chicanes.").

The ideal racing line becomes complex in the case of back to back curves, or chicanes.

@https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racing_line ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Racing_line_s.png )

So, to answer my own marsupialed post.. It's 'a back to back curve'. ^^

Confusing, because every dictionary site has a different definition; even the Wikipedia page for "chicane" doesn't seem to say it right... Just like collinsdictionary.com/

2. (motor racing) a short section of sharp narrow bends formed by barriers placed on a motor-racing circuit to provide an additional test of driving skill

... Alright, now I gotta edit this -whole- post. :-/