waarom noem ik toch altijd 2004, lees maar
Piper continue Aerodynamic research
Piper Design, a leading British design engineering company which specialises in motorsport programmes, is undertaking the final stages of a Sportscar aerodynamics stability
research programme on behalf of the FIA Foundation and motorsports' global regulatory body, the FIA. Following three stages of preliminary research, the Piper design team of specialist aerodynamicists and design engineers are now embarking on the final phase which will bring together all the information collected and, following agreements from the Sportscar Working Group, are carrying out wind tunnel testing which is leading to new FIA aerodynamic stability regulation changes being implemented in the next couple of years.
John Piper, Founder and Managing Director of Piper Design says of the FIA work, "We've been working intensively on this research programme and
have made a number of significant developments in aerodynamic stability which will contribute to increasing the safety of Sportscars in the
future. Our work has been ground breaking and we now have probably the most advanced expertise and in depth experience of aerodynamic stability
in Sportscars. It has been rewarding research, which will benefit the entire racing industry, not just Sportscars, as the results will
undoubtedly have an impact in other areas of the sport."
The research has focused on the aerodynamic stability of sports racing cars in yaw, pitch and roll modes, following a number of track incidents
involving Sportscars leaving the ground and in some instances,overturning. The initial findings were reported to the FIA Sportscar working group and further studies were requested to provide more
detailed analysis of the results and recommendations. The work of Piper Design has provided invaluable analyses of aerodynamic stability in current Sportscar designs and has led to design developments which offer new and significant opportunities to reduce the likelihood of lifting or flipping of Sportscars when on track.
In the final phase of research Piper Design is bringing together independent aerodynamic device developments and seeking to combine these
in the most beneficial way to produce a final package which minimises the tendency for cars to lift. Underfloor geometry and bodywork packages
are key areas for this and it is anticipated that the final recommendations will substantially improve the overall safety and aerodynamic stability of racing cars. It is expected for the
recommendations to be presented to the Working Group at the end of October ahead of being put forward to the World Council at the end of
the year, with new cars needing to comply with these by 2004.
http://www.sportscarchampionship.com...ews.cgi?ID=346