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Originally Posted by renault_megane_dci
Can't really tell much from the dust wake if vehicles speed is not consistant, can we ?
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The drag coefficient becomes constant at around 20-mph.So the wake behavior would also be constant up to about 250 mph where compressibility effects come into play.
The magnitude of the energy is following the square/cube relationship,so sure,the wake will be more dramatic if a Bugatti Veyron or Mike Cook's Thunderbird blows by at over 260 mph.
The lake bed dust is already pulverized.And sure,if you've seen video of the Lunar Rover you know that the tires will sling dust even in a vacuum.But it is the low base pressure of the turbulent wake which allows the dust to migrate far afield of the tires 'toss' area.
Ritchie Ginther's first rear spoiler was designed to prevent this 'dust' from moving forward into the cockpit of his Ferrari and killing him.It was only an accident that it also spoiled rear lift.