Technically, 'aerodynamics'

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by kach22i

This story reminds me of other technologies banned from racing because they were too good and made the competition noncompetitive.

I think the idea is that it's supposed to be mostly about the driving. Same reason they don't allow recumbent bikes, or most aerodynamic improvements, in the Tour de France. Heck, you could probably win every closed-track race by replacing the driver with a bunch of electronics :-)

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by freebeard

The problem with drawing a vacuum in the plenum under the vehicle is that if the dynamics of the vehicle's mass lifts the edge sufficiently the downforce dissipates catastrophically.

You mean like this?

07Dyna - It's in my Brain and Needs to Get Out: CAR GIF PLUS

[basjoos]

The down force vacuum unit would need to be able to handle leaves, sticks, plastic bags, dust, and any other road debris that might be sucked up by this "vacuum cleaner on wheels". Public roads are a lot dirtier than a race course.

[freebeard]

kach22i -- Yup. Not even the example I had in mind. And neither was under suction.

/almost stuck the landing.

[botsapper]

Maybe ask the top Dyson engineers with their best 'vacuum' technologies know-how in vehicle design. They are sometimes allowed to have time and 'play' with different projects.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dtdze7ZXk9s

[Magajgfha]

[OT]

One racing version, created in 1900 and capable of a top speed of 37 miles per hour, had electric motors in all four wheels, allowing Porsche Cars to claim that its founder created the first all-wheel-drive vehicle.

No, at least unicycles are older by 31 years.
[/OT]

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by Magajgfha

[OT]


No, at least unicycles are older by 31 years.
[/OT]

Funny, but I'm pretty sure there is a difference in definitions between one wheel drive and all wheel drive.

Interesting comment by jamesqf about racing being more about the human element of competition rather than the manufacturers showcasing their wares.

I disagree completely, at least in context of early automobile races.

There was much to prove mechanically back then which outweighed the individuals crowing rights to superior driving skills.

Superior on-board mechanical repair skills were yet another element vacant in modem races, that is if you exclude the navigator on off-road endurance races.

Riding mechanic
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riding_mechanic

A riding mechanic was a mechanic that rode along with a race car during races, and who was tasked with maintaining, monitoring, and repairing the car during the race. The various duties included manually pumping oil and fuel, checking tire wear, observing gauges, and even massaging the driver's hands.[1] They also communicated with the pits and spotted from inside the car.[2] If the car ran out of fuel, or otherwise broke down, the riding mechanic was usually responsible for running back to the pits to fetch fuel or the necessary spare parts...............

Indianapolis 500
Joe Dawson (left) and riding mechanic Harry Martin (visible on the right of the cockpit) winning the 1912 Indianapolis 500.

Riding mechanics were used by most cars in the Indianapolis 500 from 1911 to 1922, and again from 1930 to 1937.

Grand Prix
Riding mechanics were also required in the classic era of grand prix. Riding mechanics were banned in Europe after the death of Tom Barrett in 1924.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by kach22i

I disagree completely, at least in context of early automobile races.

Sure, I was only talking about contemporary racing, where a lot of mechanical things that would give an advantage are banned. Gas turbines come to mind.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

Sure, I was only talking about contemporary racing, where a lot of mechanical things that would give an advantage are banned. Gas turbines come to mind.

Agreed, modern racing is mostly about driver skill, with many many exceptions to the rule.

I am fortunate enough to recall when this controversy reached perhaps it's apex. I think it was ABC's World Wide Sports program on broadcast/roof top TV in 1973 when I was 13 years old. Only thing which could have kept me indoors on a splendid summer day back then.

Mark Donohue and the Porsche 911 RSR IROC
Porsche 911 RSR IROC | Mark Donohue | Dutton Garage

The IROC

In October 1973, twelve of the top drivers in the world were invited to compete in IROC, the International Race of Champions.

A series of four races were to be held in America and the aim was to reduce all other variables, such as the car, its modifications and fine tuning, so that only one factor remained: the skill, tactics and bravado of the drivers.

The drivers were selected from all four major branches of racing:

Formula One
USAC
NASCAR
SCCA

Selecting the drivers was an easier job than deciding on the car that would facilitate this race of champions.

The drivers chosen for the first race were all title holders at the time:

Mark Donohue
Bobby Allison
Emerson Fittipaldi
George Follmer,
A.J. Foyt
Dennis Hulme
Gordon Johncock
Roger McCluskey
David Pearson
Richard Petty
Peter Revson
Bobby Unser

But a car that could live up to the occasion was now needed.

What Donohue helped steer the development of was a hybrid of the 1973 2.8 RSR and the 1974 3.0 RS.

If I recall correctly, the TransAm race series which preceded IROC was similar in nature in that the muscle cars of the era were quite equally matched and with similar flaws and or characteristics.

Interesting to note, and an attempt to swing this discussion to "aerodynamics" is that the era being discussed also begat the HP Vs Aerodynamics controversy, with Carroll Shelby infamously stating that "Aerodynamics are for people which don't have enough horsepower".

I cannot seem to find that exact quote on the Internet right now, but it is stuck in my head from somewhere.

EDIT-1

Enzo Ferrari perhaps said something similar?

https://www.pinterest.com/lenshirley39/racing/

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by botsapper

High-performance Ariel Atom ditches the wings and uses another 'aerodynamic' solution to minimize wing drag and improve cornering stability. The Ariel Atom Aero-P uses banned racecar technology ground effects, it uses a bottom tub with flexible side skirts and two electric fans to create a vacuum/suction down force. The downforce system can be turned on or off on demand, higher downforce at turns and low down force on straightaways.
It may not be practical on regular road cars (rocks and road debris) but it will benefit track cars without the use of massive spoilers and wings.

This Ariel Atom Uses Electric Fans to Suck It Into the Ground

The solution for the Ariel was to cover it's Cd 0.65 body with a 'body',cutting it's drag in half,and dispensing with it's lift issues as a byproduct.
Lipstick on a pig goes to silk purse.