Nerd’s Eye View: LA Auto Show 2014: Part 2 – Race Cars and Engines

Nerd’s Eye View: LA Auto Show 2014: Part 2 – Race Cars and Engines

by Khiem Dinh

Khiem Dinh is an engineer for Honeywell Turbo Technologies at the time of this writing.  All statements and opinions expressed by Khiem Dinh are solely those of Khiem Dinh and not reflective of Honeywell Turbo Technologies.

Let’s start with a couple race cars though as we don’t often get to see them up close. This open cockpit car raced in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Behind that is an Enzo. Behind that is a NHRA Pro Stock drag car.

These two WEC prototype cars are similar but a little different in terms of their aero. The car on the right appears to have a higher downforce aero kit installed. The front dive planes are wider, the front wheel pods have much larger louvers, there’s some aero panel between the front wheel pod and the side pod, and the rear wing is a dual element with larger end plates.
In the air channel between the wheel pod and side pod is this air turning guide.
Here you can see how extensive the louvers are on the wheel well. Good for aiding front downforce at the expense of increased drag.
It takes a special breed to ride a drag bike. The handle bars and the butt pad are the only things keeping the rider on. Check out the deep aero disk on the front wheel.
The carbon fiber air scoop has an indentation to go around the exhaust pipe. The exhaust is wrapped to protect the carbon fiber against the exhaust heat. Rollerblade wheels get the job done on the wheelie bar.

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