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Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars
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Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race CarsThere are three main reasons for improving aerodynamics on race cars from a performance standpoint: cooling, downforce, and minimizing drag. Here are 10 different aerodynamic features starting with the front of the car and working back
1. Splitter
A leading edge on the front of the car, relatively parallel to the ground, which attempts to keep high pressure air on top of the car, rather than flowing underneath it. The high pressure pushes down on the splitter, also helping to create downforce.
2. Dive Planes
73By Engineering Explained, 04 February 2015
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Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars
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These fixtures are typically located on the right and left sides of the front bumper (see below), and are curved to redirect airflow at the front of the vehicle upward, thus creating downforce. They’re also used to alter the airflow along the sides of the vehicle, attempting to minimise the amount of high pressure air that enters underneath the car (which would create lift/minimise downforce).
3. Hood Vents
Ventilated hoods allow for a clean exit for the air passing through the radiator, and they also help to maintain airflow through the engine bay, increasing cooling.
4. NACA Ducts
These air scoops are designed to have minimal impact on airflow, while still creating an inlet for airflow. They can be used in nearly any application that requires airflow, whether that’s feeding an air intake, a radiator, or even cooling for a driver. The Ferrari F40 made extensive use of NACA ducts.
Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars
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5. Side Vents
Side vents can be seen behind the front (or rear) wheels, allowing for airflow to exit the wheel wells which typically remains turbulent from the rotation of the wheels. These can also be used to channel hot air out from the engine bay.
6. Side Skirt
Side skirts are somewhat similar in principle to splitters. They are in place, and typically as low as possible, in order to prevent high pressure air from moving underneath the vehicle.
7. Underbelly
For racing, these are often smooth and flat to minimise drag and reduce turbulence underneath the vehicle. In combination with the diffuser, the lower pressure air under the vehicle can create significant downforce.
8. Diffuser
A diffuser is a portion of the underbody which is shaped to create a location of increasingly larger air volume below the rear of the car. This allows for fast-moving low pressure air underneath the car to decelerate and expand at the rear of the vehicle. The diffuser helps to accelerate the air underneath the car which reduces its pressure,
Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars
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thus improving downforce. It can also help redirect the airflow upward, further improving downforce.
Here’s a quick video on how diffusers work:
Diffuser - Explained
9. Spoiler
Not to be confused with a rear wing, spoilers on race cars are used to prevent lift by placing an obstruction in the path of lift-creating airflow. This causes the path of the air to change, so that the airflow at the rear of the vehicle leaves in a horizontal or upward manner, thus not producing lift. A similar feature can be seen when you’re on a passenger plane that’s landing. Flaps on the wings (spoilers) will lift, minimising lift and creating drag, both of which assist in slowing the plane down.
Here’s a video explaining spoilers and rear wings:
Spoilers and Rear Wings - Explained
Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars
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10. Rear Wing
For automotive use, wings (much like on planes) are airfoils, however they are designed to directly deflect airflow upwards, pushing down on the vehicle. Airflow interacting with the wing is forced up, so the vehicle is forced down. However, the benefit of downforce comes at the expense of additional drag.
Here’s a video exploring these features further on the Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3.
Race Car Aerodynamics - Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3
Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars
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361 Reply
More educational than what I learned in school anyway
ScourgePrime
yesterda
y
47 Reply
ScourgePrime
Class is important. Do your math homework. (English bit is optional).
Engineering Explained
13 hours ago (edited)
0 Reply
Engineering Explained
lol
ScourgePrime
12 hours ago
ScourgePrimeSonprime
PUBLISHED IN Blog Motorsport Supercars
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Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars
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6 Reply
i no ryte?
19 hours ago
SonprimeTHEMUDBONEMONSTER
156 Reply
Why didn’t you explain how my JDM sticker adds 5 HP!?!?
Topher Ski
yesterda
y
45 Reply
Topher Ski
Japanese Domestic Models —> J-D-M —> 1-2-3 —> Triangles —> Illuminati = Power —> +5 HP —> #engineeringexplained
Morgan Brittain
17 hours ago (edited)
7 Reply
Morgan Brittain
It all makes sense now.
Engineering Explained
13 hours ago (edited)
9 Reply
Topher Ski
America + Freedom + Justice = 3 words.
Engineering Explained
13 hours ago (edited)
18 Reply
Engineering Explained
Half Life 3 confirmed
Gerke van Keimpema
12 hours ago
Gerke van Keimpema
but wait…
what if Half Life 3 is actually kill?
Oscar Ljungberg
Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars
http://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-10-aerodynamic-features-of-race-cars/[05-02-2015 11.37.28 PM]
0 Reply
(aand i failed big time…)
4 hours ago
59 Reply
too much aerodynamics kill the dynamics
elwahche
yesterday
(edited)
-1 Reply
elwahche
I own a Megane coupe and I find this offensive….
Fábio mineiro
14 hours ago
49 Reply
Race cars are pretty much just giant, metal airbenders.
Jamie Cannon
yesterda
y
Jamie Cannon
#sorrynotsorry #nophotoshopnoproblem
Jamie Cannon
Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars
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22 Reply 22 hours ago (edited)
Jamie CannonMario Juarez
Jamie CannonMelons
48 Reply
I actually thought rear wing and spoiler meant the same thing.
Should point out that you’ve missed out a few like vortex generating side canards, streamlined side mirrors, double bubble roofs, channeling ducts on the underside. Maybe you could add these in the second part of it.
Ali Mahfooz
yesterda
y
7 Reply
Ali Mahfooz
Notice the title says, “10 Aerodynamic…” It doesn’t say, “All Aerodynamic…”
Doppelkupplung
17 hours ago
6 Reply
Ali Mahfooz
Double bubble roofs are there so the car can be shorter (lighter), with a roof to low for a driver to fit, so the bubbles are there so the drivers head isn’t pressed against the roof
Carson Bowles
yesterda
y
1 Reply
Ali Mahfooz
Dive planes typically shoot for vortex generators, hence the bit about keeping high pressurefrom under the car.
Engineering Explained
13 hours ago
Rear Wing info is misleading. You completely ignored pressure differentials.
Samantha Barnsworth
Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars
http://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-10-aerodynamic-features-of-race-cars/[05-02-2015 11.37.28 PM]
19 Reply
While many wings are angled leading-edge-down for the additional benefit of deflecting air upwards, an airfoil perfectly level to the ground will still generate downforce due to the Bernoulli Principle.
yesterda
y
-2 Reply
Samantha Barnsworth
Ultimately, a wing must direct the air downwards or upwards for a net effect. Here’s a great, simple video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjruwfiUtGY
Engineering Explained
13 hours ago (edited)
What about the bits at the sides of spoilers and rear wings? What are those for?
Cpt. Rizza
Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars
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11 Reply 24 hours ago
21 Reply
Cpt. Rizza
Those keep the air at the edge of the wing from spilling over and therefore increase the effectiveness of the wing. You can find them on some planes too.
Jonathan Shontz
24 hours ago
1 Reply
Jonathan Shontz
The ones on the planes are there to prevent wing tip vortices, which is turbulence to other aircraft, specially smaller ones.
Sebastian Penagos
17 hours ago
0 Reply
Sebastian Penagos
Useful indeed.
Sebastian Penagos
13 hours ago
0 Reply
Sebastian Penagos
Their primary purpose is to prevent induced drag which is the penalty paid for producing lift.
Hunter NZ
15 hours ago
0 Reply
Sebastian Penagos
Yes and those vortices are caused by air moving from the high pressure zone under the wing to the low pressure zone above the wing. That hurts the lift efficiency while creating the vortices.
Jonathan Shontz
16 hours ago
0 Reply
Jonathan Shontz
I see. Thanks
Cpt. Rizza
2 hours ago
Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars
http://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-10-aerodynamic-features-of-race-cars/[05-02-2015 11.37.28 PM]
12 Reply
Cpt. Rizza
Saw this on the Ferrari website
Morgan Brittain
17 hours ago
0 Reply
Morgan Brittain
Cool! Thanks
Cpt. Rizza
2 hours ago
I can only imagine how some people are going to translate this to their vehicles. Use the knowledge wisely! There’s a purpose to these things… not just to look fast…
Tyler Hoffarth
Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars
http://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-10-aerodynamic-features-of-race-cars/[05-02-2015 11.37.28 PM]
7 Reply 21 hours ago
6 Reply
He didn’t cover any active aero, which is a bit disappointing.
German Fomin
yesterda
y
8 Reply
German Fomin
I’ve always been a bit disappointing.
Engineering Explained
13 hours ago (edited)
6 Reply
Hmm, Gurney Flaps? Brake ducts types? Vortex generators? I guess there are more that you didn’t cover.
And another thing; the side vents in my WRX aren’t functional… The vents at the side of the front bumper are not fully functional (They let warm air out but not cold air in…?) Is there any way to tell what the engineers wanted besides styling cues?
Melons
yesterda
y
5 Reply
Melons
You sir just answered for your question “They let warm air” So if you noticed it,that what their job is,Cold air inlet to engine bay are usualy at front,bonnet of the car.
Tekknoraver
yesterda
y
Tekknoraver
I already have a hood scoop for functional air cooling, it’s the same hood scoop EE has on his own car for the same reason.
I’m looking to design a brake duct/vent if possible… But without taking away from the existing engine cooling vents… Like everyone should
Melons
Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars
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-1 Reply 23 hours ago
1 Reply
Melons
Get to chopping lol
Pooft Lee
20 hours ago
4 Reply
Could you do a video on explaining ground effect and how vaccume cars like Brabham BT46 and Chaperel 2J create downforce?
Dovydas Treinys
yesterda
y
1 Reply
Dovydas Treinys
The fans force the air under the car to go a lot faster and with a lot less resistance which makes the air pressure under the car even lower. This means there’s less resistance to the down force pushing the car down meaning you get more down force.
Toby Travalos
21 hours ago
1 Reply
Toby Travalos
Also, with the downforce created by the fans, the Brabham and Chaparral didn’t need to have rear wings (but the Brabham still did), this decreased drag and made the car faster.
Morgan Brittain
17 hours ago
4 Reply
Aren’t flaps on a plane increasing both drag and lift (during landing/take off)? Thus, the plane can land at lower speed? Btw, please correct me if somehow I’m wrong ;)
au6155
yesterda
y
au6155
You are right sir! Flaps (bottom rear portion of the wings) are used to increase drag
Rui Granito
Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars
http://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-10-aerodynamic-features-of-race-cars/[05-02-2015 11.37.28 PM]
4 Reply
and lift both in take-offs and landings.
The spoilers however (top rear portion of the wings) are used to do something with the air flow and pressure, I don’t know quite to explain, thus reducing aerodynamics and therefore increasing drag, causing the plane to slow down and/or lose altitude, in approaches and landings.
24 hours ago
0 Reply
Rui Granito
The spoilers on top of the wings deploy to collapse the life envelope and provide additional drag. Fun fact: Airliners use the spoilers to control the aircraft in roll during high speed flight.
Hunter NZ
15 hours ago
0 Reply
Rui Granito
Spoilers spoil the air thus reducing lift AND increasing drag. Airbrakes on planes increase drag but do not change lift.
Doppelkupplung
17 hours ago
0 Reply
Doppelkupplung
Spoilers do reduce lift in aircraft… if you have spoilers armed and move from “side to side”, the plane doesn’t rotate by an axis in the middle he plane, but rather from an axis at the end of the other wing. Is not that significant though..
Rui Granito
8 hours ago
2 Reply
Please remember that different types of aerodynamic parts are found on different types of cars. For example, typically a time-attack car will have a LOT of extra wings and dive planes etc, to increase downforce at lower speeds and while cornering. Dragsters and funny cars however have none of this, but they are still extremely aerodynamic and slippery, just in a straight line and at extremely high speed. Know the differences people!
Daniel Barnett
20 hours ago (edited)
Michael Kocher
Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars
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2 Reply
isnt #2 called canards?
yesterda
y
5 Reply
Michael Kocher
Either is correct. Canards is the common term that was derived from aeronautics, and dive plane is more the “technical” term for them. I still call them Canards cause it’s a fun word to say.
Moose
24 hours ago (edited)
6 Reply
Moose
Fun fact: Canard is just a duck in french XD
Guss De Blöd
22 hours ago
0 Reply
Guss De Blöd
I always called them duck planes or canards with the richest French accent as a kid. You just reminded me why
Melons
17 hours ago
0 Reply
hmmm… what if you remove all these aerodynamic stuff and instead place two strong fans underneath your car.
the propellerlike fans will suck your car down onto the track, therefore increasing downforce.
:D genius anybody?
Oscar Ljungberg
4 hours ago
0 Reply
Oscar Ljungberg
F1 did it in the 70s…though not sure if you already knew that or not…
DiscardedPostIt
4 hours ago
Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars
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0 Reply
DiscardedPostIt
they did?
oh… :(
gives back the noble prize trophy
Oscar Ljungberg
1 hour ago
0 Reply
DiscardedPostIt
And Chaparral did some awesome works on aerodynamics. I’m thinking about the 2J by talking about fans under the cars (@Oscar), just like many other people I guess. ;)
Florent Dezettre
3 hours ago
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