Hello Paul, and all
 The racing season has just started for Aussie V8 supercars.
Previously the title was competed for by Ford and Holden (GMC), this
year however as the new "car of the future" evolution Nissan and
Mercedes have taken up the challenge to enter vehicles. Some of the
evolutions are as follows, ford and holden have still have 5.0 litre
pushrod V8's, Nissan have alloy overhead cam V8's and Mercedes have a
flat 8 engine. To keep parody beetween manufacturers, torque and H.P.
limits are set and monitored by the governing body, this is achieved
by using a torque measuring device that "sends" details and is
actively monitored and recorded via vehicle telementry. The torque
device is a slip ring that fits over the rear of the crankshaft, It
looks rather simple and light and would make a rather simplistic dyno
in conjuction with R.P.M. I am currently looking into it in more
detail and will forward any info I can gather. With the development
already  done I am thinking that we could use it as an inclusion on
our A/C with minimal cost, but as I said I'll get back to you. Nearly
wet me pants when I saw it!!! Sounds great.
BTW they will be racing at the new circuit in Austin Texas in May.
They are also using a new I.R.S transaxle instead of the old live axle
and it is proving to be rather strong as far as impacts with concrete
walls at the recent street circuit race have shown. For more info go
to www.v8supercars.com.au
 Graeme Riley

That flat eight engine sounds interesting. Flat horz opposed piston engine blocks are always lighter in weight. The pistons and rods are not trying to push the crank out of the bottom of the block.

Paul Lamar