Lotus with massive aero parts

[some_other_dave]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I don't understand why so much effort goes into changing aero shape with the goal of producing downforce. This is a stupid way to go around a corner fast. Why not put ailerons and a rudder on instead so it goes fast in a straight line, and "flys" around the corner?

Because downforce works--and the other doesn't.

-soD

[redpoint5]

I've never seen it attempted.

It seems more reasonable to direct the pressure of air in the direction you wish to go, instead of down, which is never the direction the driver intends to go.

Steerable rudders that move in unison with the wheels, anyone?

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I've never seen it attempted.

It seems more reasonable to direct the pressure of air in the direction you wish to go, instead of down, which is never the direction the driver intends to go.

Steerable rudders that move in unison with the wheels, anyone?

Kind of hard to direct much air sideways though don't you think?

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I don't understand why so much effort goes into changing aero shape with the goal of producing downforce. This is a stupid way to go around a corner fast. Why not put ailerons and a rudder on instead so it goes fast in a straight line, and "flys" around the corner?

Control surfaces have too much latency. You need Coanda nozzles.

[cptsideways]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

Kind of hard to direct much air sideways though don't you think?

Actually you don't need to. A vertical wing that's 90deg to the wind will create lift laterally (read that as centrifugal force in cars terms) I've always thought a gravity racer could use it easily for cornering & not braking.


Its how a windsurfer works as you effetively tavel at 90 deg to the wind & you can generate significant G forces too, think acceleration of 10-40mph in 3-6 seconds & cornering whilst planing at 40mph in a 50 yard arc.

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by cptsideways

Actually you don't need to. A vertical wing that's 90deg to the wind will create lift laterally (read that as centrifugal force in cars terms) I've always thought a gravity racer could use it easily for cornering & not braking.

Certainly, but if it's big enough to react quickly to steering changes and produce meaningful force it might be a problem for side winds.

[cptsideways]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

Certainly, but if it's big enough to react quickly to steering changes and produce meaningful force it might be a problem for side winds.

Only if its powered up, the beauty of flexible sails is they can also generate nil lift by being flat, a modern windsurf sail for example is only an aerofoil shape when being "hauled in" & presented at an angle of attack. Rather clever but simple 3d flexible engineering.


Meanwhile: The Time Attack guy, I love all this bonkers engineering & then he mentions he'll be doing his first trackday soon. Some instruction behind the wheel would give him a 10 second faster laptime. Trust me I instruct for many of them. Our EDC drift championship used to run with the same series, I quite often would be out in the practice sessions for a shakedown & put my drift car in the top 5 times, they did'nt like that much

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Why not put ailerons and a rudder on instead so it goes fast in a straight line, and "flys" around the corner?

That's sort of the concept around hovercraft and they don't brake well, corner well or even go in a straight line very well.

I should know, I've owned one for over 20 years.

You should get out to the races some time.

Home - Hoverclub of America

Closer to your home:
http://amphibiousmarine.com/

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by niky

Looks like pretty standard Time Attack fare... and by pretty standard, I mean, just as crazy as some of the big guns... there are some really fast Time Attack cars running rear diffusers bigger than that, with the floor of the trunk ripped out to make space for the center tunnel.

-

Though with just 300 hp, I don't know if he's got the push to fully utilize all that downforce... and he will still need to test it extensively on track to get the balance right.

300HP goes a long way in a car that weighs under 1900lb.

[niky]

1,900 lbs. With potentially 1,320 libs of downforce at speed. Which makes it virtually as heavy as a V6 sports cars at speed, and less able to cut through the air, to boot.

Front running time attack cars running similar aero in the Redline series are typically pushing out twice or thrice the power, and they're not porkers, either.

#EDIT: Not to say it won't be fast. Just that it seems like the aero is overkill.

But yes, it will be fast.