Anthony Vaccaro Dr. Post Aero 315 25 February 2018 Aerodynamics of Race Cars Aerodynamics is extremely important for the high performance of race cars. A simple change on the angle of spoilers can make the difference between winning and losing. Functioning at such high speeds, race cars are constantly susceptible to large amounts of drag due to the velocity the vehicle and the ever-changing airflow around the car. Manufacturers across the world are constantly performing numerous tests with wind tunnels and other medians to minimize drag, and maximize the ability of a race car to speed smoothly through turbulent air. One must fully understand the aerodynamic concepts and processes at work when a race car speeds around the track, in order …show more content…
Aerodynamics of a race car while performing is highly complex and there are many variables that come into play. According to Bill Montagne of Hot Rod Network, on a basic level, aerodynamics begins to manifest when a vehicle is traveling at speeds greater than 50 mph (Montagne, Aerodynamics in Race Cars Explained). This is due in part because when traveling less than 50 mph, a vehicle’s weight plays a more significant role than aerodynamic improvements. As velocity increases, downforce and drag increase. Kristen Geisler, writer in howstuffworks explains downforce as, “The force or increased weight created by air pressure moving over a race car’s various surfaces” (Geisler, howstuffworks). While this gives the race car more grip around corners, it also reduces overall speed of the race car. Bernoulli’s principle occurs when pressure decreases as a result of increasing speed. This effect is enhanced in a race car where air increases in speed as pressure decreases on the bottom of the car which creates a larger downforce. In Aero 315, we learned that drag is parallel to the airflow and reduces the speed of a race car (Aero 315, Post). We also learned about incompressible …show more content…
Overall, their goal is to create high downforce and minimize drag. Montagne states, “The drivetrain shapes, tire friction, tire pressures, tire heat, racetrack surface irregularity, toe angle, front camber angle, rear alignment, rear toe, and rear camber all affect the aerodynamic efficiency for a race car” (Montagne, Aerodynamics in Race Cars Explained). There are numerous aerodynamic considerations when attempting to engineer a high performance race car. Considering horsepower is another factor taken into account to overcome drag, it is much easier to reduce drag in a race car frame than increasing the horsepower of the engine. Furthermore, a race car creates a high pressure area in front of the car. When the angle of the front of the car to the ground becomes steeper, drag increases (Montagne). Thus, engineers seek to create very shallow angles and many race cars appear as if the bottom of the car is almost touching the ground. The height and location of a spoiler is also important because of the moment arm created which affects downforce. The higher the spoiler, the longer the moment arm, and the further back the spoiler is on the car, the higher the downforce is on the rear. Thus, spoilers increase downforce in order to counter lift and increase road grip. The more aerodynamic the race car is, the less drag it will feel. To reduce drag, race car engineers alter the shape
The sport of NASCAR is extremely fast paced. The average speed of a NASCAR is 210.364 MPH.This can make it exciting for many people. Anything can happen in a split second too. One race Kyle Busch started 39/43 and finished in 3/43. That is a change of 36 places. This can also make it exciting because you will never know what’s going to happen.
Looking up, you see that it is almost your turn. After getting off the hood of the car, you open the door, and sit inside the vehicle. As you firmly grasp the wooden steering wheel, the scent of unleaded gasoline fills the air, the rigid feel of the leather racing seat brushes skin, and the warm touch of chrome on the shifter radiates through the car. Sliding the key into the ignition, you turn it and hear the low grumble of the HiPo 302 cubic inch engine. You shift the car into first gear and begin to creep forward to the drag strip. You pull up to the starting line and wait. Looking over to the right and seeing your opponent eagerly awaiting the race in his red 1968 Camaro brings excitement. Overhead on the loudspeakers an announcer calls, “Up next, is a 1968 Camaro going against a 1965 Mustang Fastback. The Camaro is fitted with a 327 cubic inch engine and puts out about 210 horses while the Mustang has a 302 cubic inch high powered engine which cranks out 230 horsepower. This, ladies and gentlemen, will be a race of the ponies.” A shift into first gear sends a shiver of anticipation. You look at the light tree ahead and wait for it to turn green. It starts to count down. The first set of lights goes up. You begin to rev the engine to 2000 RPM’s. The second set of yellow lights goes up. The engine revs up even more. The car shakes slightly and the engine growls even louder. The third set of yellow lights goes up. The engine revs to 5000 RPM’s. The green lights go up. A quick dump of the clutch and the engine roars like a lion as it sprints down the track. The front end of the car lifts up and slams back down as the speed rapidly increases. The car screams as you shift into second gear. Looking over to the right, you glimpse the...
Due to the growing prevalence of stock car racing, muscle cars came into power during the 1960s, which has become known as the Golden Age of Muscle. Lasting from 1960 to 1972, muscle cars enjoyed over a decade of power, and, regrettably, a four decade hibernation. In the past six years, muscle cars have reemerged in the form of the Charger, Challenger, Mustang, and Camaro. The new cars’ styling pays tribute to their Golden Age predecessors. This is the new muscle car age, with competition and corporate pride higher than ever.
Take a look at your car, it probably can only hit eighty on a good day. Then watch the top fuel and funny car dragsters of the National Hot Rod Association who get three hundred miles per hour on a bad day. You would be blown away at the diffrence in power. The pure power and the amount of noise that these cars produce will blow you away. I'm going to inform you on a lot of the amazing facts about the nitro powered dragsters of the NHRA. First, i'm going to inform you on how drag racing started and on how drag racing works, then how the dragsters work. Following that i'm going to explain how the equipment keeps the drivers and workers safe, finally I will explain how the sport is evolving,
There are many different kinds of vehicles on the road, but the ones that stand out the most are muscle cars and sports cars. Their unique design and body styles will catch people’s attention wherever they go. The Ford Mustang, a high performing muscle car introduced in 1964, is the most notable muscle car on the streets. It is most known for its unique body design with a long hood and short, rear decks. Their high performing V8 engines make their exhausts have a really deep, loud growl. When you think of sports cars, the first that comes to mind is the Chevrolet Corvette. Its sleek body style paired with its ability to stick to the ground around corners, makes it a very notable sports car in America. The two most iconic versions of these
For decades, the Bavarian Motor Works automotive company, more commonly known as BMW, has been an icon in European luxury automobiles. It has done an extraordinary job in setting the standard for other manufacturers from Europe, Japan, and the United States auto markets. But what keeps the customer pleased with the BMW brand is not only its vehicles superb handling and performance, but its ability to inject a certain character into the automobiles themselves. This is achieved by the use of certain design elements that can be traced through history to the earliest of the BMW models. These elements include: the aerodynamic body style of the cars and sport utility vehicles, the Hofmeister Kink which is a characteristic that involves design of rear seat windows, the quadruple headlight configuration, and the famous kidney grille that is tucked into the front bumper giving the car an all-around exclusive exterior style.
Enzo is a dog fictionalized by Garth Stein in the novel The Art of Racing in the Rain. Garth Stein has achieved much success with this novel, selling more than 4 million copies in 35 languages. Not only is Enzo's story a novel, but it is also a children's book. It was adapted into a children's book in 2014 and Disney may soon put Stein's interpretation on the big screen. Readers of this novel will meet our protagonist Enzo, his owner Denny, Denny's partner Eve, and their daughter Zoe.
The most broadly used, and most useful, of the speed-reduction mechanisms fall under the category of aerodynamic drag.
Do designers look toward the concept car as a platform for more than just a new vehicle?
However motor sport is more than just racing around to a finish line, the goal of motorsport is to push the limits of the technology we already have to further benefit us. How is Formula E different from any other motor sport? Formula E exclusive races on streets. This means that all the cars racing are street legal, the cars race around large urban cities around the world such as London, Los Angeles, Bangkok, etc. Gas powered automobiles are one of the leading causes of pollution, this is evident in countries such as China or even the United States. According to the official Formula E website, they claim in the next 25 years contribute to the sale of 77 million electric cars, four billion barrels of oil saved, and 25 billion Euros in savings from health care. ("Introduction - Official FIA Formula E
The novel, The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein, epitomizes the theme of never conceding the fight for one’s desires by regaining strength, faith, and support. Denny Swift, owner of his loving dog, Enzo, uses strength and skill to successfully race professionally in the rain, determined to overcome slippery conditions and opponents. When Denny loses custody of his daughter, Zoe, he must retain faith in his ability to prove his role as a loving father, innocent of accused rape. With support of his dog, Enzo, Denny is encouraged to maintain his fight for custody of his daughter. Racing in Seattle proves beneficial for Denny; he mastered the skill of racing in the rain, a dangerous and difficult finesse.
Tires are the most important part of race or any car for that mater. (Physics of Racing) After all they are the only thing that is contact with the ground! Tires work by having a high coefficient of friction. Some slicks have a friction coefficient grater then 1! (Physics of Racing) Typical normal street tires have coefficient of about .5 to .6 . In physics we learned that friction was equal to mew times the normal force. Since race cars are typical much lighter then normal cars, they use tricks to increase the downward force on the tires. Some drag tires run really low pressure, other drag cars tune the car to lift the front wheels to put all the weight on the rear tires. Indy cars use a wing to generate down force, and ventures to suck the car to the ground. (How to Make Your Car Handle)
... amazing cars out there, people never knew that the Bugatti Veyron is made by Volkswagen which is known as the company that makes minivans and other cars. The Bugatti is specially designed if anything messes up the car will never run again, the tires, rims, engine, windows, lights, suspension, the metal, the brakes, everything on that car is made and on their for a reason. The Hennessey Venom Gt broke the world record for hitting 270.49 mph which broke the Bugatti’s record. The world of mechanics began from a V-1 engine to V6, V8, V10, from a V12 maybe in the future there will be bigger engines and better gas mileage. To me Mustangs are the best cars to me they are fast and they have the best body style in the muscle car section. Camaros are not that great in body style wise but challengers are pretty good and they have an old and new school body style put together.
Even when cars capable of these speeds are put into the hands of world-class drivers such as Ferrari’s Michael Shumacher and McLaren’s Mika Hakkinen, mishaps are bound to occur. This is what makes this sport so exciting to watch. Crashes however, are not the only exciting events of the race. It is thrilling to watch a car out brake another in order to squeeze its way ahead, or to watch the cars bump tires in an effort to occupy the same piece of race track to be set up correctly for the turn ahead. Other points of interest are the pit stops and the strategies that the various teams use in order to make a fast pit stop.
Hybrid cars and trucks are beginning to become very popular in our day of time. The inventor and the founder of the hybrid car was Robert Anderson. Anderson was born in Aberdeen, Scotland. He invented the vehicle in 1839. The hybrid vehicles get better gas mileage than most of the older cars and trucks. Most of the new vehicles that are being made today are some sort of hybrid or ecoboost vehicle. Almost all of your car manufacturers today are trying to create new vehicles that conserve gas which is green to the environment. Gas efficient cars are now taking over diesel car and trucks. Diesel cars and trucks usually get pretty bad gas mileage. Most of the big older trucks have a diesel engine in them. Most of the owners of a diesel vehicle usually don’t drive the vehicle much anymore because of horrible gas and diesel prices this day in time.