So at any speed maximising the force at that speed comes from gearing it to running at maximum power.
Yes, but it also runs at constant torque as well as constant power.
Therefore with cvt maximum force across speed range comes from running at maximum power continuously and infinitely variably change gearing. This provides maximum torque to the wheels or linear force to sled tracks
Since engine power and torque are constant, the remaining variable is the clutch.
It changes clutch ratio which multiplies wheel torque, but the power does not change. The trick with a CVT is to tune the shape of the clutch shift curve for acceleration and/or top end.
A load cell dyno'd 800 hp engine in a small lightweight car with skinny tyres never produces 800hp in the car.
Excellent observation. No matter how much torque or horsepower is seen on a dyno, the actual horsepower delivered to the track will depend on grip and traction. Wheelspin indicates the upper limit has been reached; more power does no good whatsoever.
I also prefer to calculate atmospheric parameters from the inputs of temp, humidity and absolute pressure (barometer.)
Using those atmospheric parameters we can calculate absolute air density at any altitude or temperature; in fact the data logger can compute and display absolute air density.
We also predict the percent power loss or gain, the fuel enrichment change needed and air drag.
Carry on, I'm entertained by the snowmobile example since as it was a passion and vocation of mine for a almost two decades. When you get to the part about the track driver/track interface and track hysteresis as knobs to turn to go faster, I might come out to play.
Snowmobile racing now consists of drag, oval track, snocross and cross country racing using both two stroke and four stroke engines. The sleds are computer tuned, fuel injected, and some are turbocharged.
Drag sleds now produce almost 1000 horsepower which cannot be put down to the ice. We use on-board computer programs to control boost so as to maintain traction. Belt slippage and track to ground slippage is measured as is acceleration and speed for every foot of track. But there is always more to learn.