Gravity racer gallery - extreme aerodynamics

[igo]

I know the aerodynamics are not perfect on this Mazda, but the body and windshield looks so cool.

[aerohead]

Looks like the Solar Challenge sans photovoltaics.Delicious! Thanks for the images!

[Harpo]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

Am I the only one that would be scared to death in one of these?

I'd pilot any of them .... except the Volvo.

Head First ... and they're supposed to be the safety minded car makers?

What's that ole' Hull Length to beam Width Equation?? Bet you find the winner had the best ratio total coupled with perfect mass.

[H4MM3R]

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/...dixon1.583.jpg

Caption~

Roll down your window!

[apgrok1]

I would like to see them do this with production cars in neutral. Then we would know the whole story on who is the slickest.

[elhigh]

The Bentley is awesome. Their cars look like slightly sculpted houses, but their downhill racer looks like a Buck Rogers spaceship.

(That's Buck Rogers the comic strip, not the gawdawful TV show).

[LostCause]

Those are unlimited category "soap box" cars. Major firms (Bentley, Lotus, Audi, etc.) put newly hired grad. students on those projects as a baptism by fire. I can't imagine them being too scary, they are piloted by 12-14 year olds.

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I'd love to see this event. I assume it's held in California though...

There are probably several races, but the big one was in England. I forgot exactly what it was called, but it is defunct now.

I'd like to see those things piloted by luge-borders...cajones grande.

- LostCause

[beatr911]

As a former street luge boarder (back in the mid eighties when it was a fringe sport) these things would be a blast, much safer and no doubt much, much faster. Heck I'd run one of these now - if I could fit in one.

Give me one with every dimension doubled, some suspension and a motor and behold, the perfect $4 a gallon commuter. Gets you to work with a no-caffene rush and a big grin to start the day.

[CobraBall]

Gravity racer designs do not use spoilers, air dams, etc. to correct for aero-inefficiencies.

[Otto]

Do the rules stipulate 4 wheels, outboard wheels, or what?

If two wheels work, a modified HPV a la Battle Mountain would surely be best.