Gravity racer gallery - extreme aerodynamics

[Hasbro]

Originally Posted by wooly

G'day boys and girls, newbie from Australia. A couple of weekends ago we had a big gravity race (what the locals call a billycart derby) at our most famous racetrack - Mt Panorama Bathurst.

This is the thing I raced there - It was influenced by the XGR cars as you can see...

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The second photo was before the tape was removed from the canopy and the stickers applied. I ran out of time to fabricate a fairing for both the rear axle and the steering arms, but otherwise I think it is relatively aerodynamically clean.

Just took a few more photos of the car in my classroom (i'm a high school teacher) which show off the side profile a little better.

Wooly, do you have any pics with the shell off? I'm curious about the frame, steering, and brakes.

[amidesign]

Hi,

I am sorry to present a document in French, but the pictures speak for itself :

http://inter.action.free.fr/publications/auto-eco.pdf

Be careful, pdf file is 9.38 MB !

[Hasbro]

Originally Posted by amidesign

Hi,

I am sorry to present a document in French, but the pictures speak for itself :

http://inter.action.free.fr/publications/auto-eco.pdf

Won't download.

[Christopher Jordan]

Originally Posted by Hasbro

Won't download.

Took a while, but downloaded great! This is the only link that showed exactly what happened to me in a panic stop on my Pod (tadpole) velomobile- front hit the road, back flew up several feet. Great pictures!

Some 3-wheel car plans, some 4-wheel cars, some about aerodynamics, some electrics, ending with velomobiles. Like looking throughout time! Excellent for 3-wheel fanatics like me!

[amidesign]

From http://inter.action.free.fr

[Ecobalt]

Originally Posted by trebuchet03

[I]EDIT: split/copied this post from another thread. Some gorgeous examples of aero engineering from the big auto makers...
...

There's Ken, what will Barbie be wearing to the race?

[winkosmosis]

Originally Posted by lunarhighway

why don't production cars look like wider, upscaled versions of this? sure the'd have more frontal area and perhaps a bit more drag, but they'd have an engine too...

the cars we have today are still build by fitting a practical shape on an existing platform, giveing it an appealing look, and than tweak the edges so it doesn't have to much drag.

let engineers design cars!, and stylists decide what color the seats will be.

Because real cars have other requirements, like carrying 4-5 people, having an engine, and being safe

[Christopher Jordan]

Originally Posted by winkosmosis

Because real cars have other requirements, like carrying 4-5 people, having an engine, and being safe

I like this shape- but it obviously will not carry more than 1, and only has 1 (human) engine. It had safety in mind- note the neat roll bar!