Abstract
In time attack races, aerodynamics plays a vital role in achieving short track times. These races are characterized by frequent braking and acceleration supported by aerodynamic downforce. Usually, typical cars are modified for these races by amateurs. Adjusting the aerodynamic solutions to work with bodies developed for other flow conditions is difficult. This paper presents the results of a numerical analysis of the effects of installing a straight wing in front of or above the body on the modified vehicle system’s aerodynamic characteristics, particularly on the front wheels’ aerodynamic downforce values. The paper presents the methodology and results of calculations of the aerodynamic characteristics of a car with an additional wing placed in various positions in relation to the body. The numerical results are presented (Cd, Cl, Cm, Clf, Clr), as well as exemplary pressure distributions, pathlines, and visualizations of vortex structures. Strong interactions between the wing operation and body streamline structure are shown. An interesting and unexpected result of the analysis is that the possibility of obtaining aerodynamic downforce of the front wheels is identified, without an increase in aerodynamic drag, by means of a wing placed in a proper position in front of the body. A successful attempt to balance the additional downforce coming from the front wing on the front axle is made using a larger spoiler. However, for large angles of attack, periodically unsteady flow is captured with frequency oscillations of ca. 6–12 Hz at a car speed of 40 m/s, which may interfere with the sports car’s natural suspension frequency.
Highlights
Vehicles are usually equipped with inverted rear wings to compensate for aerodynamic body lift
The purpose of this paper is to attempt to explain the complex interactions between the aerodynamic study of racing cars progressed, both experimentally and aerodynamically, athe front inverted wing and body flow and to help use this unusual way front wings moved away from thestructure narrower front endsdesigners of the bodies, moving closer to of increasing the front axle downforce
In the preliminary theMoments front wing was positioned in front of the car
Summary
Vehicles are usually equipped with inverted rear wings to compensate for aerodynamic body lift. Sometimes they are so effective that together with the body they generate aerodynamic force, pressing the vehicle against the road. A lot of work is devoted to rear and front wings on open-wheel vehicles. Front wings have been a feature of open-wheel racing cars since the 1960s. Front wings are extremely rarely used in motorsports on vehicles with covered wheels. Examples of such unusual features include the Toyota TMG-EV-P002 (Figure 1) built for mountain racing and some cars used in time attack racing (Figures 2–4)
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