Keel  A suspension keel is an extension to the bodywork below the nose cone, to allow the lower suspension arms to be attached to the car approximately parallel to the road surface in what is the most efficient suspension layout. Traditional low nose cone designs allowed the lower suspension arms to be directly attached to the main structural members of the car. However, the use of high nose cone designs, allowing better airflow underneath the car, made the location of these lower arms problematic. Three main designs developed: The single-keel which used one central extension; the twin-keel with one extension on each side and the V-keel which is a compromise between the two other designs and uses two keels which come together at a single point where the suspension is attached. Currently, however, keel-less designs are favoured: See Zero-Keel.Kerbs Raised kerbstones lining corners or chicanes on racing tracks. The kerbs provide additional safety as the drivers must reduce their speed when driving over them although the fastest line may still be over the kerbs. KERS or Kinetic Energy Recovery System A mechanical or electrical system that stores energy that would otherwise be lost while a car is braking and retains it for later use. Mostly, a flywheel is made spinning to store kinetic energy or batteries are charged through an electric motor. KERS was used in Formula One in 2009, however, the teams agreed to suspend their use at the end of the season in order to reduce costs. KERS may, however, return. Kevlar Highly durable artificial fibre. Combined to form a composite with epoxy resin, it has high strength, but is very lightweight.  |