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Old 12-06-2009, 05:40 PM   #115 (permalink)
Nerys
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from the SIDE the sunracer is very wing like but if you look at its 3 dimensional profile it actually would not generate all that much lift. It also never went very fast. its also not a true flat bottom airfoil (you can see it bulges on the bottom) this too will reduce lift though it would increase compression of the airstream between the vehicle and the road.

The vortex control tabs on the back are interesting. I wonder why they have them other than on the tips. Their wind tunnel testing must have shown the presence of vorticies alolng the trailing edge to require their presence. My guess it from the wheels.

its also possible that because of the knife edge in the rear that even "disturbed" airflow would create an artificial wake so they needed to stabilize the air before separation to minimize wake. This might also be enhanced by the bulge below the car which would increase turbulent flow after the stream is compressed and then released behind the bulge.
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