From back in 2011.....................
Mulsanne's Corner: Race Car Engineering Le Mans 2011
Quote:
First seen at the 2011 Le Mans test day, Oak Racing have hit upon a clever design execution that maneuvers around the gurney regulation. Ultimately the concept is a regulatory work around and nothing more, though more on the specifics in a moment. But getting to this conclusion was fraught at first. Initially it was suggested that the protuberances were designed with pure aerodynamics in mind; discussions were rampant about the bumps acting as vortex generators. There was even mention the bumps were utilizing an aerodynamic concept seen in nature and on of all things, whales. Yes, the giant mammal kind.
Apparently scientists have always been puzzled about whale’s agility given their size. And when researched, they took note of bumps on the leading edge of whale fins. They came to the conclusion the bumps help reduce span wise leading edge flow migration and locally better organized the water flow leading to a much more efficient fin (or wing). Hey, don’t shoot the messenger, I’m just repeating what I read.................
...........alternating gurney angle reduction.
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Go to the
Mulsanne's Corner link above to read more.
First found the image and link here: (
related discussion took place)
Micro Vortex Generators to decrease flow separation on high camber wings - Nissan Road Racing Forums
Ignore the bumps/domes for a minute, the trailing edge is not only wavy but appears to be fluted or corrugated as in the earliest concepts I posted in this thread.
Overall the Mulsanne's Corner post does an excellent job of explaining all the reach-a-rounds the race teams do in order to circumvent the rules.