Thread: Wheel wake
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Old 04-23-2011, 02:21 PM   #13 (permalink)
aerohead
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wheels

Quote:
Originally Posted by XJguy View Post
I am a bit perplexed...will have to look this up, but perhaps some of you already have.

With regards to the turbulent air behind a rotating wheel. In most race cars the rule is to provide as clear a path for the air that interacted with the wheel as possible. You'll see vents immediately behind the front wheels, as well as tunnels for the rear wheel air. I see this as a solution to two problems, wind drag, and brake heat. However in some cars I see fairings that approach the ground located immediately behind the wheel and come to a sharp taper behind the wheel.

So the question is, which of these will result in better aero?
*On a low-drag car the wheels constitute half the air drag so fairings play a critical role in drag reduction.
*Hucho says that their integration into the body is crucial if truly low drag is to be achieved.
* You can look at my trailer project to see the extremes I'm going to to cut drag.
* Solar racers and university MPG champion cars are good models from which to base fairing design.
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