Curiosities
Background
The first race of the Brazilian Stock Car Championship was on 22 April 1979 at Tarumã racing track in Rio Grande do Sul. Nineteen cars - all 6-cylinder Opalas - were lined up on the grid.
Rio-born José Carlos Palhares, whose time was 1'23"00, was in pole position. The race was won by the experienced Affonso Giaffone Junior but the championship went to Paulo Gomes from São Paulo because of his steady performance through the stages and who went on to win another three championships.
Stock Car was the first Brazilian Tourist Car category to match performance with sophistication. In the early years, only parts made in Brazil were used, looking to cut costs and improve balance.
In 1994, the Opala was replaced by the Omega. Later, the category started using the Vectra body equipped with V8 engines and tubular chassis. In 2004, the Astra Sedan fuselage went into usage. "Four car makes are competing in the 2007 edition: Chevrolet Astra, Mitsubishi Lancer, Peugeot 307, and Volkswagen Bora."
The car
Suspension
Independent on four wheels, top and bottom steel pipe triangles, and back and front stabilizing bars.
Steering
Rack and pinion with hydraulic drive using an electric pump.
Wheels
10.5 x 18 inches.
Tires
Front and back 285/645 VR18.
Brakes
Ventilated disks, special competition ears with six front and four back pistons. Special patches.
Fuel tank
Specially designed for racing with 85-liter capacity. Consisting of a high-density foam rubber container, and an aluminum container with safety valves.
Chassis
Tubular with steel plates, aluminum plates and anti-flame lining.
Bodywork
Built in reinforced fiberglass.
Engine
V8, 5,700 c.c. (5.7 liters), 450 HP power, 6,000 rpm, four carburetor fuel supply (gasoline), dry crankcase.
Gears
Sequential 5-gear.