Aerodynamic Discussion Thread
06-13-2013, 04:32 PM
#302
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On another note, I haven't actually gotten to mess around with aero much on track. I really enjoy the aero aspect of going faster and I want to play with just aero for a while. I was thinking of going back to completely stock (or maybe getting another, stock Miata) and using aero only to start dropping lap times. My question is, will stock tires and suspension components interfere with aero testing or make tweaks more apparent?
If you're looking to seriously play with aero you're going to run out of suspension very quickly, and modded suspension without race tires has it's limits.
My advice would be to sort out the mechanical grip on a stock powered car and than add aero.
You'll need to keep playing with the suspension the more aero grip you get.
You don't need more power to overcome the drag, a properly designed aero package pays big dividends in cornering speeds and will lower lap times even with stock power.
Moti
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06-13-2013, 04:34 PM
#303
I've always wondered why I don't see a tail like this.
Aerocivic - Honda Civic modifications for maximum gas mileage - aerocivic.com
Aerocivic - Honda Civic modifications for maximum gas mileage - aerocivic.com
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06-13-2013, 05:08 PM
#304
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While it's obvious that aero does more as speed increases, the notion in this post is the age long myth.
You don't need more power to overcome the drag, a properly designed aero package pays big dividends in cornering speeds and will lower lap times even with stock power.
Moti
You don't need more power to overcome the drag, a properly designed aero package pays big dividends in cornering speeds and will lower lap times even with stock power.
Moti
Aero obviously helps no matter how fast you're going, otherwise those solar powered cars that only go 10 mph would just be silly looking for no reason at all.
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06-13-2013, 05:26 PM
#305
The only good, simple way to do this is to set up the car for the right amount downforce around the track and then have a button or other easy driver controlled input to drop the AOA for minimal drag in a straight line. On most tracks, there are at least 3 or 4 places you are accelerating for at least a few seconds without the need for extra downforce or complicated steering inputs. A radio button on the wheel would be the way to go.
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06-13-2013, 06:44 PM
#306
I've always wondered why I don't see a tail like this.
Aerocivic - Honda Civic modifications for maximum gas mileage - aerocivic.com
Aerocivic - Honda Civic modifications for maximum gas mileage - aerocivic.com
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06-13-2013, 06:45 PM
#307
The only good, simple way to do this is to set up the car for the right amount downforce around the track and then have a button or other easy driver controlled input to drop the AOA for minimal drag in a straight line. On most tracks, there are at least 3 or 4 places you are accelerating for at least a few seconds without the need for extra downforce or complicated steering inputs. A radio button on the wheel would be the way to go.
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06-13-2013, 09:07 PM
#309
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One thing no one is mentioning, is how good of a driver you would have to be to handle active aero. Driving a regular high downforce car is hard enough, with varying amounts of grip at varying speeds... let along when the amount of downforce is constantly changing.
Like rharris said, I bet we would all be faster with just plain static wings.
Like rharris said, I bet we would all be faster with just plain static wings.
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06-13-2013, 09:20 PM
#310
One thing no one is mentioning, is how good of a driver you would have to be to handle active aero. Driving a regular high downforce car is hard enough, with varying amounts of grip at varying speeds... let along when the amount of downforce is constantly changing.
Like rharris said, I bet we would all be faster with just plain static wings.
Like rharris said, I bet we would all be faster with just plain static wings.
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06-13-2013, 10:07 PM
#312
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And the Kings of Aerodynamics
I always wanted the Red Bull X1 since the first time I saw it
Go Red Bull Racing (Vettel and Webber)
Thank you Adrian Newey for this piece of art
I always wanted the Red Bull X1 since the first time I saw it
Go Red Bull Racing (Vettel and Webber)
Thank you Adrian Newey for this piece of art
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06-14-2013, 08:58 AM
#315
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Except for some people. LOL
that didn't help the Veyron that bounced off the tire wall in phoenix a few weeks ago haha
I was working that event. while I don't advise ANY cornerworker taking their eyes off a cornerstation while working, there were only 3 cars on track so I managed to snap a few pictures.
I was working that event. while I don't advise ANY cornerworker taking their eyes off a cornerstation while working, there were only 3 cars on track so I managed to snap a few pictures.
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06-15-2013, 02:53 PM
#318
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If you make that revision then I would definitely agree. I think that active aero used during cornering is definitely something that should be up to professional drivers and controlled by computers.
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06-16-2013, 11:44 AM
#319
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One thing I have been thinking of since the Red Bull X2010 came out, why doesn't the front wings move?
I was reading about how the front tires on a F1 car will go from 100% grip in a straight line to 20% when taking a corner (of course it would be the inside tire of the corner).
So why not run the front wing on each side be controlled by the steering rack. The front wing on the X2010 or Miata would only need to move a few degs (maybe 3-5).
I was reading about how the front tires on a F1 car will go from 100% grip in a straight line to 20% when taking a corner (of course it would be the inside tire of the corner).
So why not run the front wing on each side be controlled by the steering rack. The front wing on the X2010 or Miata would only need to move a few degs (maybe 3-5).
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