Random Aerodynamic Oddity of the Day Thread

[Bicycle Bob]

Originally Posted by freebeard

jULIANeDGAR would approve. It might make for a new pinewood derby race category.

I'd more likely use it as a means of learning the physics engine in Blender.

Golly, yes! Down the hill, over the jump, and coast to the finish would make a much more interesting event. Also, the current winning formula for pinewoods is having all the ballast at the back, so it is higher at the start. There will be tradeoffs to make.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Bicycle Bob

Aircraft have no trouble flying upside down by adjusting that a few degrees.

I would be quite concerned about having an adjustable pitch trim in a racing car. Besides an eventual need to operate it manually, the risk of getting it damaged by some debris while off-roading would be also troublesome.

[Bicycle Bob]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

I would be quite concerned about having an adjustable pitch trim in a racing car. Besides an eventual need to operate it manually, the risk of getting it damaged by some debris while off-roading would be also troublesome.

No moving parts needed - the whole car can pitch easily, and we are discussing ways to keep it from doing so.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Bicycle Bob

No moving parts needed - the whole car can pitch easily, and we are discussing ways to keep it from doing so.

OK. IIRC some acrobatic aircraft have fixed slots at their wings leading edges instead of retractible slats.

[freebeard]

I think he's saying a few degrees of angle of attack. Race classes may forbid control from the driver seat.

Porsche Top 5 Series: 959 Paris-Dakar Highlights

Interesting details on the car Singer took inspiration from.

[JulianEdgar]

Originally Posted by freebeard

I think he's saying a few degrees of angle of attack. Race classes may forbid control from the driver seat.

Interesting details on the car Singer took inspiration from.

As soon as they say "The Porsche 959 has nearly the same downforce at both low and high speed..." you immediately know they have no idea of what they're talking about.

Pity - it would be great to see some really good tech info on this car.

[freebeard]

Have you personally measured and can attest to the downforce on these [six] specific cars?

We're all in Plato's cave; at least the shadows are RBG.

[Bicycle Bob]

Originally Posted by JulianEdgar

As soon as they say "The Porsche 959 has nearly the same downforce at both low and high speed..." you immediately know they have no idea of what they're talking about.

Pity - it would be great to see some really good tech info on this car.

. . . unless downforce = 0.

[JulianEdgar]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Have you personally measured and can attest to the downforce on these [six] specific cars?

Downforce varies as the square of the speed.

It's exactly the same as if the video said that drag force is the same at high and low speeds.

[JulianEdgar]

Originally Posted by Bicycle Bob

. . . unless downforce = 0.

Yes, true!