02-27-2008, 01:43 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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(milis()/10000)%6
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Orlando
Posts: 1,016
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Gravity racer gallery - extreme aerodynamics
EDIT: split/copied this post from another thread. Some gorgeous examples of aero engineering from the big auto makers...
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Some of the big auto mfr's compete every year in "extreme" downhill gravity races - and it's a really big deal for them.
Volvo
Volvo
Lotus
Nissan
Mazda
Audi
GM (Front)
Bentley
VW
Nissan (A winning team)
So ya, it's a big slap in the face. They know how important aerodynamics are - they're using it on downhill races where top speeds are ~50mph IIRC. Yet, bricks come off the assembly lines... Feel free to split this post off if you want...
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Challenge me, or correct me, but don't ask me to die quietly.
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02-27-2008, 06:16 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Pokémoderator
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,683
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trebuchet03 -
Quote:
Originally Posted by trebuchet03
But the marketing value for winning is far more valuable. Some of the big auto mfr's compete every year in "extreme" downhill gravity races - and it's a really big deal for them.
...
Bentley
...
So ya, it's a big slap in the face. They know how important aerodynamics are - they're using it on downhill races where top speeds are ~50mph IIRC. Yet, bricks come off the assembly lines... Feel free to split this post off if you want... |
From my POV, these events don't "compete" with their bread and butter products.
PS - The Bentley is GORGEOUS!
CarloSW2 |
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02-27-2008, 11:38 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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Nice Road Trucker
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Frozen Steppes of Central Indiana
Posts: 416
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Soap Box Derby on steroids.
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2000 Ford F-350 SC 4x2 6 Speed Manual
4" Slam 3.08:1 gears
"Fastback" Bed Fairing
Rugged Air Dam with Side Skirts
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02-28-2008, 12:11 AM
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#4 (permalink)
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UnderModded
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: GTA-Ontario
Posts: 281
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Just pick one and fill it with lightweight batteries!
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02-28-2008, 12:43 AM
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#5 (permalink)
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Dartmouth 2010
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hanover, NH
Posts: 3,772
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Am I the only one that would be scared to death in one of these?
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------------------------------EcoModder Gear------------------------------
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02-28-2008, 01:04 AM
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#6 (permalink)
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(milis()/10000)%6
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Orlando
Posts: 1,016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SVOboy
Am I the only one that would be scared to death in one of these?
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Hell no! Sign me up 
Okay, maybe the first Volvo one - but I'm not afraid to wear the rubber suit
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Challenge me, or correct me, but don't ask me to die quietly.
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02-28-2008, 02:10 AM
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#7 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Santa Cruz, CA.
Posts: 184
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DARN! No trikes! That BENTly is right up my alley!! {recumBENT!}
countersTrike
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02-28-2008, 09:42 AM
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#8 (permalink)
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Captain Slow
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada
Posts: 6,018
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I tried to find some YouTube of these babies in action, but didn't have any luck. These are gorgeous machines.
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02-28-2008, 08:55 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Wannabe EcoModder
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Boston, MA; Nashua, NH; Houston, TX
Posts: 403
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I really like the first Nissan. It loosk like it would be awesome to ride in. I wonder how I apply for that job...
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02-28-2008, 10:35 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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Captain Slow
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada
Posts: 6,018
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I'd love to see this event. I assume it's held in California though...
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02-28-2008, 11:57 PM
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#11 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 298
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I know the aerodynamics are not perfect on this Mazda, but the body and windshield looks so cool.
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*this is only bicycle trips that directly replace car trips.
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03-01-2008, 03:08 PM
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#12 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sanger,Texas,U.S.A.
Posts: 803
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Gravity Racers
Looks like the Solar Challenge sans photovoltaics.Delicious! Thanks for the images!
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03-11-2008, 06:31 PM
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#13 (permalink)
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EcoMudder
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 79
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Any, except the Volvo
Quote:
Originally Posted by SVOboy
Am I the only one that would be scared to death in one of these?
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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. |
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03-11-2008, 08:53 PM
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#14 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mackinac City, Michigan
Posts: 235
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03-12-2008, 09:29 AM
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#15 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Wichita
Posts: 53
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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.
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03-12-2008, 03:01 PM
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#16 (permalink)
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Slow and easy
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SE USA - East Tennessee
Posts: 291
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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).
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You're not in front of me...
I'm 25,000 miles in front of you.
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03-14-2008, 04:23 AM
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#17 (permalink)
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Liberti
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: California
Posts: 504
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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. 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG
I'd love to see this event. I assume it's held in California though...
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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 |
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03-14-2008, 06:13 PM
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#18 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Olympia, WA
Posts: 62
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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.
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08-14-2008, 02:23 PM
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#19 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: May 2008
Location: North Texas
Posts: 76
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Gravity racer designs do not use spoilers, air dams, etc.  to correct for aero-inefficiencies. |
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08-14-2008, 02:54 PM
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#20 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 160
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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.
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