Khamsin Virtual Racecar challenge 2013 (CFD model racing)

[machin]

What I find most interesting is that mine and Dan's cars...........were trumped by someone starting with a blank slate and creating something that looked very basic in comparison.

I in no way pretend to know much about aerodynamics, but my take on this is that unless you really know what the air flow is like over all the little air conditioners/deflectors/etc then there is a real chance that those parts are just messing up the airflow, not helping it... By keeping things simple its easier to make things right.....

[variante]

Great!
I can't wait to have a look to other guys' cars, also from those who didn't partecipate to this test race. I'll post some renders of my car later, i hope you'll do the same...i'm very curious.

What I find most interesting is that mine and Dan's cars, both of which probably very similar to Formula Sketch cars were trumped by someone starting with a blank slate and creating something that looked very basic in comparison.

Don't be so sospicious I'm not the first idiot on the internet...i mean, i understand a couple of things of aero despite this being pretty much my first experience with 3D models.

Yours is a good design, but from the pics you posted it looks like it lacks of details in some critical areas... so just keep improving your car because i want to see a great championship next year!

[RicME85]

Oh Im not having a dig or anything, was just pointing out how those of us who designed cars for another comp werent that great at this one as we were trying to copy actual cars rather than going back to basics.

I am curious to on legality issues with the various cars, this will obviously be important when the championship starts for real.

[variante]

All right Ric
And yes, you have to keep your design very simple (let's say as simple as 2009 cars'). That's one of the reasons why i've abandoned my old car: it would have required hours of CFD simulations to make every detail work as expected (and i don't even have a CFD software)

BTW here are some pics:

[stez90]

where is the airbox

[variante]

where is the airbox

don't worry it is there with all the required area
look at the second picture: you'll see the airbox "hidden" behind the roll bar. With this solution i've reduced the frontal area (and thus the Cd).

Anyway, it wouldn't be a good solution in real life since it would sacrifice a lot of engine power.

[RicME85]

Does it really have the required surface area?
When I first saw it I thought it was waaay too small

[variante]

"Engine Air Intakes must have an area of more than equal to: 9400mm² and must be in a vertical plane parallel to the rear wheel centre line."

just measured mine: 9870mm^2

[stez90]

Anyway, it wouldn't be a good solution in real life since it would sacrifice a lot of engine power.

I saw that and I was wondering if this solution is legal, since the rules says "We reserve the right to virtually ground a car if the design has been obviously altered to improve aerodynamic performances to the detriment of other performances not accounted for in the challenge."
I made my car with that in mind, and so I have big sidepots, big inlets etc.. If that kind of solutions are legal, looks like I have lot of room to improve!
I think we need some clarification from the KVRC guys.

[variante]

yep, we need a couple of clarifications

but keep in mind that my approach was no different from last year mercedes, force india, caterham,... They all sacrifices some engine power in the name of aerodynamics. Mine is simply more "aggressive".

If you want to make me add a "classic" airbox, it's not a problem for me... that was just a clever solution, however it gives me an advantage of like 0.001% with Cd

[Monster_Energy_F1]

I registered my team yesterday. "Beast F1 Team"
Does anybody know how to measure surface area using Sketchup?

[variante]

glad you're in

To measure areas, just select the surfaces you want to measure, then right click (or equivalent), and select "entity informations" (or something). That's it.

[stez90]

Nothing personal with your airbox, I mentioned your car because it is one of the few we have pictures about.
It was just to point out what is ok and what is not.

[RicME85]

What is it with you and 'Beast'?
Surface area you just right click on a surface and go to Entity Info at the top of the list.

Dont need things clarifying guys, it was just a test race, it says on the site that legality wont be an issue in the test but will be for the actual championship. As Nick said, he will be send out any legality issues to team owners.
I hope that we can get info on legality on other teams cars, much like in the real world if you push for details.

[Monster_Energy_F1]

Haha , I dunno It's a kinda parody on Monster Energy F1. Instead of Monster you have beast, and instead of Black and Green it's Black and Orange. And thanks guys