Better fuel economy?
Poll DRS - Your opinions on it now
- Thread starter landogeorgelewis1
- Start date
Better fuel economy?
But to get DRS on a family saloon you would need to fit a draggy wing first. This hardly seems the way to get fuel economy, or did I miss something?
The wing/spoiler in high downforce trim would give better grip (and hence safety) in corners and/or wet weather, and in the low downforce position would give reduced drag (and hence better economy) when the grip is not required.
Anyway, on the evidence of today's race and Silverstone it seems like GP3 needs DRS or something to improve the overtaking possibilities.
Anyway, on the evidence of today's race and Silverstone it seems like GP3 needs DRS or something to improve the overtaking possibilities.
Blog Zbod
Podium Finisher
At anything lower that Autobahn speeds, the vestigial wings on most production cars (particularly those without a distinguished sporting pedigree) produce relatively insignificant levels of downforce.
The Lotus Exige probably is the highest downforce car that costs less than a 2-bedroom flat in Kensington. It creates a measly 42 kilos/92 lbs downforce at 160 kph/100 mph, front splitter and rear wing combined. But even that mild amount of downforce costs it several kph in top speed, as well as several % in fuel economy (mostly at higher speeds).
Not to mention all wings (and wing actuation/adjustment mechanisms) add weight, which reduces both acceleration and fuel economy when driving at "around town" speeds, far too slow for those same wings to provide any function other than looking ace.
Which is why production cars without a decided sporting bent (and six-figure price tag) rely almost exclusively on mechanical grip.
The Lotus Exige probably is the highest downforce car that costs less than a 2-bedroom flat in Kensington. It creates a measly 42 kilos/92 lbs downforce at 160 kph/100 mph, front splitter and rear wing combined. But even that mild amount of downforce costs it several kph in top speed, as well as several % in fuel economy (mostly at higher speeds).
Not to mention all wings (and wing actuation/adjustment mechanisms) add weight, which reduces both acceleration and fuel economy when driving at "around town" speeds, far too slow for those same wings to provide any function other than looking ace.
Which is why production cars without a decided sporting bent (and six-figure price tag) rely almost exclusively on mechanical grip.
Yes, drivers could manipulate small winglets on the front wing from the cockpit in 2009 and I believe 2010 as well. They weren't changed very often however. Teams usually found an ideal setup and infrequently requested changes on the radio. I think the biggest issue was that they just weren't very powerful tools and in no way facilitated overtaking.
Andyoak
Champion Elect
Thanks Keke, that pretty much confirms my sketchy recollection but I thought it was a larger foil on the front wing.
I guess it couldn't be too much or you'd risk massive understeer... probably more dangerous than reduced downforce at the back.
I still want unrestricted DRS though... (love being in the mionority on this).
I guess it couldn't be too much or you'd risk massive understeer... probably more dangerous than reduced downforce at the back.
I still want unrestricted DRS though... (love being in the mionority on this).
Incubus
Champion Elect
Or alternatively they could simply design extra-wide extentions to the track limits on the entry to tight corners. So that the normal racing line and fastest way round the corner would be to turn very wide on the outside during the braking zone and driving across a larger width of track to reach the corner's apex. That would leave a bigger gap on the inside for anyone trying to overtake.
Anybody trying to defend on the inside would find it more difficult to apply the power on corner exit as the line would tighten and having to defend again at the following corner and that's how you get a prolonged battle, and all of this be would entirely natural rather than artificial racing. At most modern tracks all that would involve would simply consist of painting the while lines further on the outside to create extra wide corner entries.
Anybody trying to defend on the inside would find it more difficult to apply the power on corner exit as the line would tighten and having to defend again at the following corner and that's how you get a prolonged battle, and all of this be would entirely natural rather than artificial racing. At most modern tracks all that would involve would simply consist of painting the while lines further on the outside to create extra wide corner entries.
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rufus_mcdufus
Champion Elect
Could they not modify DRS such that a car could overtake by flying over the car in front? I guarantee the viewing figures would increase.
Awkward at Silverstone with all those helicopters circling about.
Mark Webber has already tried that rufus_mcdufus.
The difficulty is making the pass stick, due to the resultant severe understeer and bits flying off the car on landing.
The difficulty is making the pass stick, due to the resultant severe understeer and bits flying off the car on landing.
I still don't like it....
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