The end of racecar aerodynamics as we know it

Researchers at MIT have test fired a turbojet the size of a button that produces 1/3rd of a pound of thrust and spins at 2.5 million rpm. Once this technology gets out of the lab, it will be the end of racecar aerodynamics as we know it. Maybe even the end of racecars as we know them.

Because since they're the size of a button, you could for example put tens or hundreds of them in the undertray of a ground effects car to re-energize the air flowing through the diffusers. This would not only give the car more downforce but also a more stable downforce. You could also use them as a source of high speed air for blown air wings that for any given wing size -- especially at low speeds -- would provide more downforce than wings which depend entirely on the forward motion of the car. You could even eliminate wings and ground effects tunnels completely and make the skin of the car not only a downforce-producing system but also a mechanism for augmenting steering. Taken to its ultimate end, we could see cars with no apparent engine where the skin itself provides propulsion, steering, and braking.

Franklin.

Without in any way wishing to appear patronising.

I WISH I WAS SMOKING WHAT YOU'RE SMOKING ;)

Peter, us colonials spell patronizing with a z. We're also the ones who introduced wings, fan suction ground effects, etc.

I will say that Frankie has a very fertile imagination, if nothing else.

Lay off a little. If there aren't any major gains in car design or aerodynamics, i would be very surprised. Look how far we have come in 30 years, things will change. Whether or not this idea every happens, i don't know or really care.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Franklin:
Peter, us colonials spell patronizing with a z. We're also the ones who introduced wings, fan suction ground effects, etc.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

HAHAHA.

Yep the old Chaperral (is that how its spelt?) was innovative to say the least. However, you must admit that putting "buttons" on the surface of a car is a little far-fetched.

The fan system was banned because it was a mechanical aerodynamic aid. Unless the rules changed I could see that these "buttons" would be similar "mechanical aids".

BTW. The USA also gave the world the Cobra but they needed a British chassis to start from. ;) So it works both ways.

[This message has been edited by Peter Mallett (edited 09 April 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Peter Mallett (edited 09 April 2000).]

No question, those 'buttons' would be seen by most sanctioning bodies as being "movable aerodynamic devices", and swiftly banned.
On another note, I believe Nascar are looking at modifying the Winston Cup Rules to update technology to the point of Pneumatic Tyres & Internal Combustion Engines. Wow!

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by bobdrummond:

On another note, I believe Nascar are looking at modifying the Winston Cup Rules to update technology to the point of Pneumatic Tyres & Internal Combustion Engines. Wow!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Come on be serious. Internal combustion? ;)

Actually, what I said was "the size of a button" not "yada yada yada BUTTON."

I still cant get over another thread with the muppet take over of F1 with the external combustion engine....classic :)

Well I guess I am a bit dissappointed that no-one takes the time to grasp a bit of technical innovations and just comes around for an easy joke.

Remembering the tales of a little Porsche Spyder of two German brothers on the Nurburgring in 1954 which featured a giant wing ........ all paddock hilarious and joking at first, but no-one laughed anymore when they circled the track faster than the workscars with their stardrivers.

It's engineering innovation of projects as Cisitalia, Chaparral, March and Lotus which made our sport as it is today.

'Interesting stuff' is all I'd like to say.

Regards,

Dino IV