Question avout height.

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Caito
Caito
13
Joined: 16 Jun 2009, 05:30
Location: Switzerland

Question avout height.

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Hello guys, greetings from Argentina. This is my first post but I've been reading the forum for the last months.

I have one (hopefully simple) question. There's a category in Argentina called TC2000. Sedan cars, FWD.

The thing is ALL CARS are lower in the front than in the back, and I can't understand why.

From what I know a lower car gives you better ground effect while a higher car gives you less aerodynamic resistance(at least active suspension lotus increased height when going faster).

I suspect it may be a suspension thing, but I'm not sure.

Thank you all from advanced,


Caito ;)
Come back 747, we miss you!!

Giblet
Giblet
5
Joined: 19 Mar 2007, 01:47
Location: Canada

Re: Question avout height.

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I think our even handed mod Ciro will have more then enough info for ya :) He is a TC2000 expert.

I'm usually wrong, but any air you want under the car, you want to accelerate from front to rear, which is what diffusers do. If not, I assume you want as little air under as possible, which is why ride height is always pushed to the limits.

Any air that does get underneath will accelerate out towards the rear if the back is higher.

Again, I'm used to being wrong, but I learn :)
Before I do anything I ask myself “Would an idiot do that?” And if the answer is yes, I do not do that thing. - Dwight Schrute

majicmeow
majicmeow
-2
Joined: 05 Feb 2008, 07:03

Re: Question avout height.

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I think you're right Giblet, it would (in my mind) create a diffuser effect where none existed to begin with. I'm not really familiar with TC2000, so I cant be sure...

What about weight? The weight on the steering axle is lower... Being a FWD car, isn't that important?

Scotracer
Scotracer
3
Joined: 22 Apr 2008, 17:09
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Re: Question avout height.

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In cars which are only allowed a flat floor, they run a lower front end compared to the back to increase the ground-effect; it is particularly evident in F1 since they are severely restricted for under floor aerodynamics.
Powertrain Cooling Engineer

Belatti
Belatti
33
Joined: 10 Jul 2007, 21:48
Location: Argentina

Re: Question avout height.

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Giblet wrote:I think our even handed mod Ciro will have more then enough info for ya :) He is a TC2000 expert.
Well, I have actually worked for a TC2000 team :wink:

Caito, welcome to the forum.

Heres a thread I created about Argentinian racing series (TC, TC200 and TRV6)
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4477&start=0


About your question, the aerodynamic reasons have been rightfully answered by Giblet and majicmeow, but there are other reasons, too.
For example, in TC, wich are RWD cars you dont see such a difference. The matter is front weight biased, 310HP, FWD cars have to deal with big understeer. They have aerodynamic load in the back but only desirable for high speeds, the mechanical grip in the back, literally sucks. At the same time, they need EVERY little amount of grip you can get at the front. Lower Cog, softer ride rates, lower tire pressures, an inclined flat floor underneat and some other bits.

TC2000 races use to be 40-50 minutes sprints, but last weekend there was a "endurance" race with 2 drivers per car. Alain Menu and Anthony Reid where guests from Europe among other Argentinian and Brazilian guests drivers.
The official page of TC2000, availiable in english here:
http://www.tc2000.com.ar/news.php

Image
TC2000 and its severe front biased weight problems
"You need great passion, because everything you do with great pleasure, you do well." -Juan Manuel Fangio

"I have no idols. I admire work, dedication and competence." -Ayrton Senna

Scotracer
Scotracer
3
Joined: 22 Apr 2008, 17:09
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Re: Question avout height.

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I can only think if she would bend over she could balance the weight issue a bit more and lower her CoG whilst she's at it....

Sorry...what was I talking about again?
Powertrain Cooling Engineer

Giblet
Giblet
5
Joined: 19 Mar 2007, 01:47
Location: Canada

Re: Question avout height.

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Sorry Bellati, I remembered Ciro for some reason starting a huge TC2000 post, but it was you, and a great post that started a great conversation about a great series.

I guess I remembered the Latin flair and not the poster :)

here is the post for reference:

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4477
Before I do anything I ask myself “Would an idiot do that?” And if the answer is yes, I do not do that thing. - Dwight Schrute

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Scuderia_Russ
0
Joined: 17 Jan 2004, 22:24
Location: Motorsport Valley, England.

Re: Question avout height.

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Regards the OP: this is called rake.
"Whether you think you can or can't, either way you are right."
-Henry Ford-